It just might be that the recently-arrested Leona Beldini was once an exotic dancer known as Hope Diamond.
When I first posted about Hope Diamond, "Anonymous" came along and commented that he had known Hope when he was a young boy.
I asked for more, but he didn't share any more info at that time.
Then a few days ago, following the series of arrests in Jersey, I rec'd an email from "Anonymous", saying: "I got a big surprise on the news last night!". No other info, except for a link to a news article about the big New Jersey political corruption bust, with Leona Beldini's photo. Curious, I tried to find out more...
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Here's a recent article about Leona Beldini, which has a photo of Leona Beldini, and info about her arrest. Below the article there are reader's comments that allude to rumors that Leona was Hope Diamond.
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Digging a little deeper, I found a comment posted on another discussion forum [note: it has since been removed] where "Anonymous" wrote about Leona - here's an excerpt:
"... WOW, I just saw Leona Beldini arrested on the news. She is (was?) the Deputy Mayor of Jersey City, NJ for a while now... let me share this little tidbit, and a few of you may actually have heard of her before and not realized it is the same person- Hope 'Diamond' was her Stage name. Hope was one of that last stronghold Burlesque Gals before said art dissolved. ..."
"Anonymous" went on to say: "... Beldini is her ex-husband, drummer for The Morris Naton Trio through the 60s. Any one in the Jersey area back then and doing Jazz clubs may well have heard Al Beldini play. The Fountain in Palisades Park was one place I remember, I was way young, but got dragged in tow often. My Mom and she [Hope/Leona] swapped watching each other's kids. So her son and I spend a lot of time age 7-9ish, etc
Hope, when I was a kid was HOT HOT HOT!! Her act included a fake bubble bathtub, bubble machine and pasties... There was a poster of her in stage regalia in a sidewalk glass marquee well into the 80s, I used to show my friends on NYC jaunts as teens. ..."
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I kept digging, and came up with a couple supportive-ish info-tidbits that back the story up.
According to the book "Burlesque" by Jane Briggeman, Hope Diamond graduated from high school in Princeton, New Jersey, so the location fits.
And this tid-bit from famous Burlesque Stripper / Belly Dancer, Nejla Ates bio-page adds a little more credence to the babysitting comment:
"... 5 April 61 -- Hope Diamond wins a legal separation from her husband in New York on grounds that he deserted her for Nejla.
Hope Diamond and Bobby Colt have a one-year-old son. ..."
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That's what I've found out, so far. Anyone with more info, please email me, or leave a comment.
[Note: This piece was edited on 8-6-09 at the request of "Anonymous".]
The Burlesque Babes Blog is published by burlesquebabesshop.com
3 comments:
SO what.. to it all.. she is not on trial for being a stripper.. who by the way...was very much a lady..She was a neighbor of mine..and was a real sweet person. She had a gorgeous son, Bob and a beautiful daughter, Bianca, with Al.. nice nice people..well..HE was a bit odd.... I hope by going to trial she is proven to be not guilty...
Hi Anonymous - you are right - there's nothing wrong with Leona having been a stripper. I does make for an interesting story, though. ;-)
Hope was a friend to my family form the 60's to late 80's. She was always a kind person most of all she was a lady. Hope's past art has nothing to do with her court case. she work hard to support her son. I wish her the best during her troubles.
Hope if you should see this last time we were in each others company was
Your sons Godmother Funeral
wish you the best
E
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