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{{Short description|American model, dancer and actor}}
{{Short description|American model, dancer and actor}}
'''Sterling St. Jacques''' (1951 – c. 1992) was an American model, dancer, and actor. He is most famous for being one of the regulars of [[Studio 54]] and dancing with famous patrons. After modeling for [[Hubert de Givenchy]] in 1976, St. Jacques became a frequent figure in New York society life. In the early 1980s, he moved to Europe and had a career as an [[Italo disco]] singer before reportedly dying from [[AIDS]] in 1984
'''Sterling St. Jacques''' (September 24, 1949 – July 4, 1992) was an American model, dancer, actor, and singer. Known as "Swirling Sterling," St. Jacques has been described as the first black male [[supermodel]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Musto |first=Michael |date=February 13, 2017 |title=The Best Black Male Fashion Models of All Time |url=https://www.out.com/michael-musto/2017/2/13/best-black-male-fashion-models-all-time |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=out.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nartey |first=Stephen |date=2024-08-05 |title=Sterling St Jacques: The mystery of America's first male supermodel who ruled the 70s stage |url=https://face2faceafrica.com/article/sterling-st-jacques-the-mystery-of-americas-first-male-supermodel-who-ruled-the-70s-stage |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Face2Face Africa |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hynes |first=Hayley |title=These 12 Black Male Models Are Paving the Way in the Fashion Industry |url=https://blavity.com/these-12-black-male-models-are-paving-the-way-in-the-fashion-industry |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Blavity News & Entertainment |language=en}}</ref> He was a frequent figure in New York society life in the 1970s and gained notoriety for dancing with famous patrons. In the 1980s, he moved to Europe and had a career as an [[Italo disco]] singer before reportedly dying from [[AIDS]].


== Life and career ==
== Life and career ==
Sterling St. Jacques was born in a city outside of [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]]. He never knew his biological parents which caused him to become rebellious and he often ran away.<ref name=":0" /> As a teenager, he was adopted by actor [[Raymond St. Jacques]] in the 1960s."He took an interest in me when he saw I was going nowhere and gave me the push I needed to get my head together," said St. Jacques.<ref name=":0" /> Raymond St. Jacques is noted as the first African-American to portray a cowboy on television.<ref name="Peterson">{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Maurice |date=May 13, 1973 |title=He's Making a Big Numbers ’ Racket |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/05/13/archives/hes-making-a-big-numbers-racket-hes-making-a-big-numbers-racket.html |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> His mother Nina Hobbs, sang with jazz bandleaders [[Count Basie]] and [[Duke Ellington]].<ref name=":0" /> St. Jacques played basketball in high school and went to school with actress [[Judy Garland]]'s daughter, [[Lorna Luft]] in Hollywood.<ref name=":0" />


=== Early life and education ===
⚫
He took an interest in joining his father in show business. The father and son duo were known for their fashion sense in the early 1970s.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=June 15, 1970 |title=Mutual Understanding: Raymond and Raymond St. Jacques: Bridging the Generation gap |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-raymond-and-raymon/152364148/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=The Los Angeles Times |pages=32}}</ref> His father helped him land a role as a background dancer on the television series [[Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In|''Laugh-In'']].<ref name=":0" /> He moved to New York to study acting at the [[Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute|Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute]] after leaving California, living off of part-time modeling work.<ref name=":0" /> In 1971, St. Jacques was photographed by [[Horst P. Horst]] with Italian actress [[Silvana Mangano]] and French writer [[François-Marie Banier|Francois-Marie Banier]] for the catalog of a New York modeling agency.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kazmaier |first=Martin |url=https://monoskop.org/images/e/e6/Horst_Sixty_Years_of_Photography_1991.pdf |title=Horst: Sixty Years of Photography |publisher=Rizzoli |year=1991 |pages=21, 152}}</ref> In 1973, St. Jacques appeared in the film ''[[Book of Numbers (film)|Book of Numbers]]''.<ref name="Peterson"/>
Sterling St. Jacques was born in a city outside of [[Salt Lake City, Utah]].<ref name=":0" /> He never knew his biological parents which caused him to become rebellious and he often ran away.<ref name=":0" /> As a child, his family moved to Connecticut before returning to Salt Lake City where he attended [[Oquirrh School]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pearson |first=Howard |date=1971-10-27 |title=Laugh-In Dancer Visits |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/deseret-news-sterling-st-jacques-a-dan/152989045/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |work=Deseret News |page=D-9}}</ref>


St. Jacques was a dance instructor at a disco before he was discovered by French designer [[Hubert de Givenchy]] to model his menswear line at the [[Waldorf Astoria New York|Waldorf-Astoria]] in April 1976.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Ribowsky |first=Mark |date=October 1976 |title=Black Toast of White Society |journal=Sepia |pages=28–32}}</ref> Reviewing the show, [[Bernadine Morris]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' likened him to dancer [[Fred Astaire]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Bernadine |date=April 29, 1976 |title=A Festive Presentation of Givenchy's Styles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/04/29/archives/a-festive-presentation-of-givenchys-styles.html |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> St. Jacques' fit appearance generated excitement and he became the toast of the town, mingling with [[high society]] matrons and [[Haute couture|high fashion]] circles.<ref name=":0" /> In 1976, St. Jacques told ''[[Sepia (magazine)|Sepia]]'' magazine that he and [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis|Jackie Kennedy Onassis]] were "the closest of friends." He gave her private dancing lessons and credited himself for bringing her out of her shell on the dance floor.<ref name=":0" />
As a teenager, he was adopted by actor [[Raymond St. Jacques]] in the 1960s. "He took an interest in me when he saw I was going nowhere and gave me the push I needed to get my head together," said St. Jacques.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Ribowsky |first=Mark |date=October 1976 |title=Black Toast of White Society |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_sepia_1976-10_25_10/page/32/mode/2up?q=Sterling+St.+Jacques |journal=Sepia |pages=28–32}}</ref> Raymond St. Jacques is noted as the first African-American to portray a cowboy on television.<ref name="Peterson">{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Maurice |date=May 13, 1973 |title=He's Making a Big Numbers ' Racket |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/05/13/archives/hes-making-a-big-numbers-racket-hes-making-a-big-numbers-racket.html |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> His mother Nina Hobbs, sang with jazz bandleaders [[Count Basie]] and [[Duke Ellington]].<ref name=":0" /> St. Jacques played basketball in high school and went to school with actress [[Judy Garland]]'s daughter, [[Lorna Luft]] in Hollywood.<ref name=":0" />


=== Dancing, acting and modeling career ===
⚫
Handsome and dapper, St. Jacques attracted men and women. St. Jacques was engaged to model [[Pat Cleveland]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=Aug 1977 |title=Pat Cleveland, Model: A Fast-Paced Ride With The Jet Set Crowd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=08sDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA72&lpg=PA72&dq=sterling+Saint+Jacques+engaged+pat+cleveland&source=bl&ots=gUeUC-279g&sig=ACfU3U2mIIemrkSed6_5IOHYsbi6yXG_Fw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjL7O7439CHAxWyElkFHR88C8g4HhDoAXoECBkQAw#v=onepage&q=sterling%20Saint%20Jacques%20engaged%20pat%20cleveland&f=false |journal=Ebony |pages=72}}</ref> They met at New York's [[Hurrah (nightclub)|Hurrah]] nightclub in 1976.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Cleveland |first=Pat |url=http://archive.org/details/walkinggirlmemoi0000clev_n6h4 |title=Walking Girl: A Memoir |date=2016 |publisher=37 INK |others= |isbn=978-1-5011-0824-2 |location=New York |pages=309–313, 316}}</ref> Cleaved wrote in her book ''Walking Girl: A Memoir'' that before her St. Jacques had only sept with men, including a "long affair" with Hubert de Givenchy.<ref name=":1" /> Jacques and Cleveland became a popular dancing duo, appearing on the television show ''Soul Train'' and performing at the [[Lincoln Center]] for a benefit. They also appeared nude in the sexually explicit Broadway play ''[[Let My People Come#Broadway|Let My People Come]]'', which was only shown in previews at the [[Morosco Theater]] in 1976.<ref name=":1" /> Their relationship ended after a year and a half due to St. Jacques' preference for men.<ref name=":1" />
⚫
St. Jacques took an interest in joining his father in show business. The father and son duo were known for their fashion sense in the early 1970s.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=June 15, 1970 |title=Mutual Understanding: Raymond and Raymond St. Jacques: Bridging the Generation gap |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-raymond-and-raymon/152364148/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=The Los Angeles Times |page=32}}</ref> Before his father helped him land a role as a background dancer on the television series [[Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In|''Laugh-In'']], he was a dancer at [[Disneyland]].<ref name=":0" /> He moved to New York to study acting at the [[Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute]] after leaving California, living off of part-time modeling work.<ref name=":0" />


St. Jacques appeared in the July 1970 issue of ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'' magazine modeling Japanese robes.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1970 |title=Men In Vogue …Notes, Quotes, And Votes |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_vogue_1970-07_156_1/page/46/mode/2up?q=Sterling+St.+Jacques |journal=Vogue |page=47}}</ref> In 1971, he was photographed by [[Horst P. Horst]] with Italian actress [[Silvana Mangano]] and French writer [[François-Marie Banier]] for the catalog of a New York modeling agency.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kazmaier |first=Martin |url=https://monoskop.org/images/e/e6/Horst_Sixty_Years_of_Photography_1991.pdf |title=Horst: Sixty Years of Photography |date=1991 |publisher=Rizzoli |pages=21, 152}}</ref>
⚫
During an intermission for the play ''Let My People Come'' in September 1976, St. Jacques was arrested on a third-degree larceny charge for allegedly stealing $1,000 worth of jewelry from his former girlfriend, Juliet Baruch.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1976-09-21 |title=Nudie Actor Seized in 1G Gem Theft |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-sterling-st-jacques-arrested/152431320/ |access-date=2024-08-01 |work=Daily News |pages=4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=October 14, 1976 |title=Sterling St. Jacques Busted Nude; Allegedly Stole Girlfriend's Jewelry In N.Y. |url=https://books.google.fm/books?id=-0IDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=sterling&f=false |journal=Jet}}</ref>


St. Jacques had a role in the 1973 film ''[[Book of Numbers (film)|Book of Numbers]]'', which was produced and directed by his father.<ref name="Peterson" />
⚫
St. Jacques was a staple at the New York nightclub [[Studio 54]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Haden-Guest |first=Anthony |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Last_Party/POIVBgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=sterling+Saint+Jacques&pg=PT42&printsec=frontcover |title=The Last Party: Studio 54, Disco, and the Culture of the Night |date=February 17, 2015 |publisher=Open Road Media |isbn=978-1-4976-9555-9 |language=en}}</ref> He was often photographed dancing with celebrities and socialites such as [[Bianca Jagger]], [[Diana Ross]], and [[Caroline Kennedy]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 19, 1978 |title=This Week's Best Photos |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VL8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA39&dq=sterling+Saint+Jacques&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi9hdDp4dCHAxWiEVkFHazJNZUQ6AF6BAgFEAI#v=onepage&q=sterling%20Saint%20Jacques&f=false |journal=Jet |pages=39}}</ref> His social circle also included Studio 54 owner [[Steve Rubell]], artist Andy Warhol, actress [[Liza Minnelli|Liza Minnelli]], and fashion designer [[Halston]] who were regulars at the nightclub.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Warhol |first=Andy |url=http://archive.org/details/andywarholdiarie00warh |title=The Andy Warhol Diaries |last2=Hackett |first2=Pat |date=1989 |publisher=Warner Books |others= |isbn=978-0-446-51426-2 |location=New York, NY |pages=70, 117}}</ref>


St. Jacques was a dance instructor at a disco before he was discovered by French designer [[Hubert de Givenchy]] to model his menswear line at the [[Waldorf-Astoria]] in April 1976.<ref name=":0" /> Reviewing the show, [[Bernadine Morris]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' likened him to dancer [[Fred Astaire]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Bernadine |date=1976-04-29 |title=A Festive Presentation of Givenchy's Styles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/04/29/archives/a-festive-presentation-of-givenchys-styles.html |access-date=2024-08-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> His appearance caused a sensation–especially among wealthy [[high society]] society matrons who clamored to dance with him [[discotheques]].<ref name=":0" />
⚫
In the 1980s, St. Jacques moved to Europe where he found moderate success as an [[Italo disco]] singer. According to Cleveland's memoir, St. Jacques died of complications of [[AIDS]] in 1984 but his death was never officially confirmed.<ref name=":1" /> However, in a 1988 interview with the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', Raymond St. Jacques said he had two sons and that Sterling had a television show in [[Düsseldorf]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Maurice |date=September 29, 1988 |title=Raymond St. Jacques Ascends the Bench |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/09/29/raymond-st-jacques-ascends-the-bench/ |access-date=May 15, 2019 |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> It was reported in 1991, that Jacques was left "the sum of $1.00" in Raymond St. Jacques' will.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 15, 1991 |title=Late Actor St. Jacques Leaves Estate Valued At $750,000 To Kin, Friends |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=37sDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA35&dq=sterling+Jacques+1991&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQz6mGzdWHAxVKFVkFHQ2LHA0Q6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=sterling%20Jacques%201991&f=false |journal=Jet}}</ref>

In June 1976, St. Jacques was photographed dancing with [[Jackie Kennedy Onassis]] at a benefit for the [[Special Olympics]] at the [[The Pierre|Pierre Hotel]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Bernadine |date=June 9, 1976 |title=Kennedys Plus Valentino Equal Magic |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/06/09/archives/kennedys-plus-valentino-equal-magic.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> St. Jacques told ''[[Sepia (magazine)|Sepia]]'' magazine that he and Onassis were "the closest of friends."<ref name=":0" /> He gave her private dancing lessons and credited himself for bringing her out of her shell on the dance floor.<ref name=":0" />

In an industry where there isn't much representation of black models, St. Jacques had a successful career modeling for [[high fashion]] designers. "I've shown that black men can be macho-looking while at the same time have grace and smoothness. I'm proud to make black people see they can be doing this kind of work," he said.<ref name=":0" />

⚫
Handsome and dapper, St. Jacques attracted men and women. He had a highly publicized relationship with model [[Pat Cleveland]], to whom he was engaged.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Wahls |first=Robert |date=1976-08-08 |title=Body Language |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-sterling-st-jacques-engaged/152870163/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=Daily News |page=Leisure 4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=Aug 1977 |title=Pat Cleveland, Model: A Fast-Paced Ride With The Jet Set Crowd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=08sDAAAAMBAJ&dq=sterling+Saint+Jacques+engaged+pat+cleveland&pg=PA72 |journal=Ebony |page=72}}</ref> Although it was reported that they met while modeling in Paris in 1973, Cleveland wrote in her book ''Walking Girl: A Memoir'' that they met at New York's [[Hurrah (nightclub)|Hurrah]] nightclub in 1976.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Cleveland |first=Pat |url=http://archive.org/details/walkinggirlmemoi0000clev_n6h4 |title=Walking Girl: A Memoir |date=2016 |publisher=37 INK |isbn=978-1-5011-0824-2 |location=New York |pages=309–313, 316}}</ref> She also revealed that before her St. Jacques had only slept with men, including a "long affair" with Hubert de Givenchy.<ref name=":1" /> St. Jacques and Cleveland were a popular dancing duo, drawing inspiration from Fred Astaire and [[Ginger Rogers]] to revive 1940s elegance.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wohlfert |first=Lee |date=March 7, 1977 |title=For Fashion's Dancing Twosome, Manhattan Is The Big Apple–Candy Coated |journal=People Weekly |volume=7 |issue=9 |pages=56–58}}</ref> They appeared on the television show ''[[Soul Train]]'' and performed at the [[Lincoln Center]] for a benefit.<ref name=":1" />

⚫
In 1976, St. Jacques and Cleveland appeared nude in the sexually explicit Broadway play ''[[Let My People Come#Broadway|Let My People Come]]'', which was only shown at the [[Morosco Theater]].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" /> During an intermission for the play in September 1976, St. Jacques was arrested on a third-degree larceny charge for allegedly stealing $1,000 worth of jewelry from his former girlfriend, Juliet Baruch.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1976-09-21 |title=Nudie Actor Seized in 1G Gem Theft |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-sterling-st-jacques-arrested/152431320/ |access-date=2024-08-01 |work=Daily News |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=October 14, 1976 |title=Sterling St. Jacques Busted Nude; Allegedly Stole Girlfriend's Jewelry In N.Y. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-0IDAAAAMBAJ&q=sterling |journal=Jet}}</ref> The show closed after 108 performances, all of them previews.<ref name=":1" /> Cleveland stated that despite their "deep devotion to each other" their relationship ended after a year due to St. Jacques' preference for men.<ref name=":1" />

⚫
In the late 1970s, St. Jacques was a staple at the New York nightclub [[Studio 54]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Haden-Guest |first=Anthony |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=POIVBgAAQBAJ&dq=sterling+Saint+Jacques&pg=PT42 |title=The Last Party: Studio 54, Disco, and the Culture of the Night |date=February 17, 2015 |publisher=Open Road Media |isbn=978-1-4976-9555-9 |language=en}}</ref> He was often photographed dancing with celebrities and socialites such as [[Bianca Jagger]], [[Diana Ross]], [[Liza Minnelli]], and [[Caroline Kennedy]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Get Down With Th Get Down |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z78DAAAAMBAJ&dq=sterling+jacques+bianca+jagger&pg=PA33 |journal=Jet | date=23 June 1977 |volume=57 |issue=14 |page=33}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 19, 1978 |title=This Week's Best Photos |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VL8DAAAAMBAJ&dq=sterling+Saint+Jacques&pg=PA39 |journal=Jet |page=39}}</ref> His social circle also included Studio 54 owner [[Steve Rubell]], artist Andy Warhol, and fashion designer [[Halston]] who were regulars at the nightclub.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Warhol |first1=Andy |url=http://archive.org/details/andywarholdiarie00warh |title=The Andy Warhol Diaries |last2=Hackett |first2=Pat |date=1989 |publisher=Warner Books |isbn=978-0-446-51426-2 |location=New York, NY |pages=70, 117}}</ref> Reportedly, St. Jacques's charming dance moves inspired the 1979 hit song "[[He's the Greatest Dancer]]" by [[Sister Sledge]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nartey |first=Stephen |date=2024-08-05 |title=Sterling St Jacques: The mystery of America's first male supermodel who ruled the 70s stage |url=https://face2faceafrica.com/article/sterling-st-jacques-the-mystery-of-americas-first-male-supermodel-who-ruled-the-70s-stage |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Face2Face Africa |language=en}}</ref>

=== Music career ===
In the early 1980s, St. Jacques moved to Europe where he found moderate success as an [[Italo disco]] singer.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=May 2, 1980 |title=People |journal=To the Point |volume=9 |issue=18 |page=29}}</ref>

== Death ==
⚫
According to his former fiancée, Pat Cleveland, St. Jacques died of complications of [[AIDS]] in 1984, but his death was never officially confirmed.<ref name=":1" /> However, in a 1988 interview with the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', Raymond St. Jacques said he had two sons and that Sterling had a television show in [[Düsseldorf]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Maurice |date=September 29, 1988 |title=Raymond St. Jacques Ascends the Bench |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/09/29/raymond-st-jacques-ascends-the-bench/ |access-date=May 15, 2019 |website=chicagotribune.com }}</ref> It was reported in 1991, that Jacques was left "the sum of $1.00" in Raymond St. Jacques' will, which was stipulated in October 1988.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 15, 1991 |title=Late Actor St. Jacques Leaves Estate Valued At $750,000 To Kin, Friends |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=37sDAAAAMBAJ&dq=sterling+Jacques+1991&pg=PA35 |journal=Jet}}</ref>

== Discography ==
'''Albums'''

* 1980: ''Sterling Saint Jacques'' (Dig-It International Records – PL 3023)

'''Singles'''

* 1980: "Again" / "I'm A Star" (Dig-It International Records – DG NP 1201)
* 1980: "Muscle Man" / "Rock Blue" (Dig-It International Records – PL/PROM 3024)
* 1981: "Tutto È Blu (Blue)" / "Turn Me On" ((Dig-It International Records – DG 1205)
* 1981: "Des Mots Pour Toi" / "Manhattan Man" ([[Polydor]] – 2056905)
* 1983: "Comin, Into Love" (Papillon Records – MRP 4002)
* 1984: "Mister Moonlight" (Airport – ITF 362)


== References ==
== References ==


<references />
<references />

== External links ==

* {{imdbname|0820567}}


[[Category:Date of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Date of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Deaths from AIDS-related illness]]
[[Category:1984 deaths]]
[[Category:AIDS-related deaths in the United States]]
[[Category:Male models from Utah]]
[[Category:Male models from Utah]]
[[Category:African-American male models]]
[[Category:African-American male models]]
[[Category:African-American male dancers]]
[[Category:African-American male dancers]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American Italo disco musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]

Latest revision as of 22:27, 7 December 2024

Sterling St. Jacques (September 24, 1949 – July 4, 1992) was an American model, dancer, actor, and singer. Known as "Swirling Sterling," St. Jacques has been described as the first black male supermodel.[1][2][3] He was a frequent figure in New York society life in the 1970s and gained notoriety for dancing with famous patrons. In the 1980s, he moved to Europe and had a career as an Italo disco singer before reportedly dying from AIDS.

Life and career

[edit]

Early life and education

[edit]

Sterling St. Jacques was born in a city outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.[4] He never knew his biological parents which caused him to become rebellious and he often ran away.[4] As a child, his family moved to Connecticut before returning to Salt Lake City where he attended Oquirrh School.[5]

As a teenager, he was adopted by actor Raymond St. Jacques in the 1960s. "He took an interest in me when he saw I was going nowhere and gave me the push I needed to get my head together," said St. Jacques.[4] Raymond St. Jacques is noted as the first African-American to portray a cowboy on television.[6][7] His mother Nina Hobbs, sang with jazz bandleaders Count Basie and Duke Ellington.[4] St. Jacques played basketball in high school and went to school with actress Judy Garland's daughter, Lorna Luft in Hollywood.[4]

Dancing, acting and modeling career

[edit]

St. Jacques took an interest in joining his father in show business. The father and son duo were known for their fashion sense in the early 1970s.[7] Before his father helped him land a role as a background dancer on the television series Laugh-In, he was a dancer at Disneyland.[4] He moved to New York to study acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute after leaving California, living off of part-time modeling work.[4]

St. Jacques appeared in the July 1970 issue of Vogue magazine modeling Japanese robes.[8] In 1971, he was photographed by Horst P. Horst with Italian actress Silvana Mangano and French writer François-Marie Banier for the catalog of a New York modeling agency.[9]

St. Jacques had a role in the 1973 film Book of Numbers, which was produced and directed by his father.[6]

St. Jacques was a dance instructor at a disco before he was discovered by French designer Hubert de Givenchy to model his menswear line at the Waldorf-Astoria in April 1976.[4] Reviewing the show, Bernadine Morris of The New York Times likened him to dancer Fred Astaire.[10] His appearance caused a sensation–especially among wealthy high society society matrons who clamored to dance with him discotheques.[4]

In June 1976, St. Jacques was photographed dancing with Jackie Kennedy Onassis at a benefit for the Special Olympics at the Pierre Hotel.[11] St. Jacques told Sepia magazine that he and Onassis were "the closest of friends."[4] He gave her private dancing lessons and credited himself for bringing her out of her shell on the dance floor.[4]

In an industry where there isn't much representation of black models, St. Jacques had a successful career modeling for high fashion designers. "I've shown that black men can be macho-looking while at the same time have grace and smoothness. I'm proud to make black people see they can be doing this kind of work," he said.[4]

Handsome and dapper, St. Jacques attracted men and women. He had a highly publicized relationship with model Pat Cleveland, to whom he was engaged.[12][13] Although it was reported that they met while modeling in Paris in 1973, Cleveland wrote in her book Walking Girl: A Memoir that they met at New York's Hurrah nightclub in 1976.[12][14] She also revealed that before her St. Jacques had only slept with men, including a "long affair" with Hubert de Givenchy.[14] St. Jacques and Cleveland were a popular dancing duo, drawing inspiration from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to revive 1940s elegance.[15] They appeared on the television show Soul Train and performed at the Lincoln Center for a benefit.[14]

In 1976, St. Jacques and Cleveland appeared nude in the sexually explicit Broadway play Let My People Come, which was only shown at the Morosco Theater.[12][14] During an intermission for the play in September 1976, St. Jacques was arrested on a third-degree larceny charge for allegedly stealing $1,000 worth of jewelry from his former girlfriend, Juliet Baruch.[16][17] The show closed after 108 performances, all of them previews.[14] Cleveland stated that despite their "deep devotion to each other" their relationship ended after a year due to St. Jacques' preference for men.[14]

In the late 1970s, St. Jacques was a staple at the New York nightclub Studio 54.[18] He was often photographed dancing with celebrities and socialites such as Bianca Jagger, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, and Caroline Kennedy.[19][20] His social circle also included Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell, artist Andy Warhol, and fashion designer Halston who were regulars at the nightclub.[21] Reportedly, St. Jacques's charming dance moves inspired the 1979 hit song "He's the Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge.[22]

Music career

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In the early 1980s, St. Jacques moved to Europe where he found moderate success as an Italo disco singer.[23]

Death

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According to his former fiancée, Pat Cleveland, St. Jacques died of complications of AIDS in 1984, but his death was never officially confirmed.[14] However, in a 1988 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Raymond St. Jacques said he had two sons and that Sterling had a television show in Düsseldorf.[24] It was reported in 1991, that Jacques was left "the sum of $1.00" in Raymond St. Jacques' will, which was stipulated in October 1988.[25]

Discography

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Albums

  • 1980: Sterling Saint Jacques (Dig-It International Records – PL 3023)

Singles

  • 1980: "Again" / "I'm A Star" (Dig-It International Records – DG NP 1201)
  • 1980: "Muscle Man" / "Rock Blue" (Dig-It International Records – PL/PROM 3024)
  • 1981: "Tutto È Blu (Blue)" / "Turn Me On" ((Dig-It International Records – DG 1205)
  • 1981: "Des Mots Pour Toi" / "Manhattan Man" (Polydor – 2056905)
  • 1983: "Comin, Into Love" (Papillon Records – MRP 4002)
  • 1984: "Mister Moonlight" (Airport – ITF 362)

References

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  1. ^ Musto, Michael (February 13, 2017). "The Best Black Male Fashion Models of All Time". out.com. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  2. ^ Nartey, Stephen (2024-08-05). "Sterling St Jacques: The mystery of America's first male supermodel who ruled the 70s stage". Face2Face Africa. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  3. ^ Hynes, Hayley. "These 12 Black Male Models Are Paving the Way in the Fashion Industry". Blavity News & Entertainment. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Ribowsky, Mark (October 1976). "Black Toast of White Society". Sepia: 28–32.
  5. ^ Pearson, Howard (1971-10-27). "Laugh-In Dancer Visits". Deseret News. p. D-9. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  6. ^ a b Peterson, Maurice (May 13, 1973). "He's Making a Big Numbers ' Racket". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Mutual Understanding: Raymond and Raymond St. Jacques: Bridging the Generation gap". The Los Angeles Times. June 15, 1970. p. 32. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  8. ^ "Men In Vogue …Notes, Quotes, And Votes". Vogue: 47. July 1970.
  9. ^ Kazmaier, Martin (1991). Horst: Sixty Years of Photography (PDF). Rizzoli. pp. 21, 152.
  10. ^ Morris, Bernadine (1976-04-29). "A Festive Presentation of Givenchy's Styles". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  11. ^ Morris, Bernadine (June 9, 1976). "Kennedys Plus Valentino Equal Magic". The New York Times.
  12. ^ a b c Wahls, Robert (1976-08-08). "Body Language". Daily News. p. Leisure 4. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  13. ^ "Pat Cleveland, Model: A Fast-Paced Ride With The Jet Set Crowd". Ebony: 72. Aug 1977.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g Cleveland, Pat (2016). Walking Girl: A Memoir. New York: 37 INK. pp. 309–313, 316. ISBN 978-1-5011-0824-2.
  15. ^ Wohlfert, Lee (March 7, 1977). "For Fashion's Dancing Twosome, Manhattan Is The Big Apple–Candy Coated". People Weekly. 7 (9): 56–58.
  16. ^ "Nudie Actor Seized in 1G Gem Theft". Daily News. 1976-09-21. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  17. ^ "Sterling St. Jacques Busted Nude; Allegedly Stole Girlfriend's Jewelry In N.Y." Jet. October 14, 1976.
  18. ^ Haden-Guest, Anthony (February 17, 2015). The Last Party: Studio 54, Disco, and the Culture of the Night. Open Road Media. ISBN 978-1-4976-9555-9.
  19. ^ "Get Down With Th Get Down". Jet. 57 (14): 33. 23 June 1977.
  20. ^ "This Week's Best Photos". Jet: 39. January 19, 1978.
  21. ^ Warhol, Andy; Hackett, Pat (1989). The Andy Warhol Diaries. New York, NY: Warner Books. pp. 70, 117. ISBN 978-0-446-51426-2.
  22. ^ Nartey, Stephen (2024-08-05). "Sterling St Jacques: The mystery of America's first male supermodel who ruled the 70s stage". Face2Face Africa. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  23. ^ "People". To the Point. 9 (18): 29. May 2, 1980.
  24. ^ Weaver, Maurice (September 29, 1988). "Raymond St. Jacques Ascends the Bench". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  25. ^ "Late Actor St. Jacques Leaves Estate Valued At $750,000 To Kin, Friends". Jet. April 15, 1991.
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