Women's History Month

0:00Every day, excessive delays and denials from big insurers keep patients from accessing the care they need. And when care is urgent, these delays can be disastrous. These practices cost billions in wasteful spending, driving up costs for American families. But while big insurers put up barriers, America's hospitals and health systems are in your corner, navigating endless reviews and appeals to get you the care you need when you need it most. It's time to curb these harmful practices and put the focus back on patients. Brought to you by the Coalition to Strength in America's Health Care. Welcome to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm Denelle Dadegan. Thank you all for joining us as we celebrate women's history month, Hollywood style, in Hollywood and in the entertainment industry. Tonight's show shines a spotlight on several important women from Hollywood's fledging years through today, including the first female owner of a motion picture studio and believe me. That was much earlier than you think. You know, Hollywood has long been a mirror-reflecting societal values, aspirations and struggles with

1:03women playing a pivotal role in shaping its narrative throughout Hollywood and the entertainment industry's history. The history of women in Hollywood and the entertainment industry is a tapestry woven with stories of resilience, creativity and transformation. From the early days of silent films where female pioneers bravely navigated a male dominated industry to the glitzenglamer of the Golden Age following the cultural revolutions of the 1960s and 70s till today. Women have played pivotal roles and consistently challenged the status quo, redefining their roles in the public eye on stage and both in front of and behind the camera. And joining us today are award-winning stars and entertainment professionals to award-winning sisters known for their dynamic documentaries, a Grammy award-winning singer, one of the United States superstars of the legal system and even a miss-unifers with her own unique

2:04and certainly inspiring story. And also we do have cat women with us today that's kind of exciting and that's just the tip of the iceberg for this woman, my goodness. When we celebrate women's history month here in Hollywood, we think of the many strong courageous women, those female entertainers dating back to Hollywood's early years and several entertainment professionals and actresses come to our minds from the 20s and 30s. I mean, there's a Academy Award winner, America's Sweetheart and Queen of the Movies co-founder of United Artists in 1919 and one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Mary Pickford and two-time Academy Award winner and highest-paid screenwriter among both men and women of the silent film era, Francis Marion. The first African-American to win an Academy Award back in 1939 for best supporting actress in Gone with the Wind had a McDaniel and the adorable child star with ringlets Shirley Temple, you know, she became a symbol of optimism during the Great Depression.

3:07She won a juvenile Academy Award at the ripe age of six years old. Can you believe it's six years old? And later, Shirley Temple became the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and the U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia. These women broke barriers and paved the way for future generations in the film industry till today. You know, think of your favorite movie star and entertainment professionals starting from Hollywood's early years. I mean, there's Marlene Detrick, May West, Betty Davis, Joan Crawford, Catherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, Jane Mansfield, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Streisand, Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, Wuppie Goldberg, Julia Roberts, Jodie Foster, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Eva Duverne, Sandra Rhymes, Lupita Nyongo, and Chloe Zau. And I have to say, let's just jump back to the 1940s. We cannot forget the award-winning actress and inventor, Eddie Lamar. Did you know Eddie Lamar invented a secret communication system during World War II?

4:10What was the precursor to the Morris Code? You know, these award-winning actresses and entertainment professionals broke through the glass ceiling and set their stars high in the sky above the Hollywood sign. Tonight, we talk with several friends at the Hollywood Museum. They are women pioneers of the entertainment industry in each of their genres. We've seen them in film, on television, and performing on live stage showcasing their talents to thunderous applause, more fans than we can imagine. Our guests will share their personal stories, some never before heard about how they got started in the biz. That show is. And joining us through the show here on Hollywood's Hidden Treasures, we have with us this evening Julie Numer. Now, we all know Julie Numer as the greatest of all time, the first, the original Catwoman, who starred on ABC's 1960s TV show Batman. But as they say, this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Did you know Julie Numer received two US patents, yes, count them, two US patents in the

5:151970s, one for women's pantyhose, and one for a brazier that was described as nearly invisible. And in the 1980s, Numer began investing in real estate in Los Angeles. Julie is an avid gardener, and her gardens are akin to a secret garden. They are renowned and the subject of multiple magazine articles and photographs. There's even a rose, a day lily, and a begonia named after Julie Numer. Numer is a vocal LGBT rights advocate. Her brother, John Numer, is gay. She received a lifetime achievement award from the Los Angeles Gay and lesbian elder housing. And Julie's newest book, The Conscious Catwoman Explains Life on Earth, what we're going to have to ask her about that. It's where Julie provides tips on aging, education, personal appearance, and finance. When joining us this evening is Frieda Payne, yes, the singer and actress Frieda Payne, best known for her 1970s single band of gold.

6:15The number one smash hit that earned Frieda her first gold record and Grammy nomination. Frieda has released more than 20 albums and 30 singles. Also, we have with us a wonderful attorney, Gloria Allred. Her legal career, it's one countless honors for her pioneering legal work on behalf of women's rights and rights for minorities. You know, she has received lifetime achievement awards from the National Trial Lawyers Association for her trailblazing role in combating injustice and winning new rights, especially for women and minorities. And I just have to share with you, Gloria Allred is a four-time Emmy nominee for her commentaries on K-ABC television in Los Angeles and her nationally syndicated television show We the People with Gloria Allred. You know, I kind of giggle about it because I did not know this before, but President Obama has introduced Gloria Allred several times as one of the best attorneys in the country. And joining us is the crowned Miss Universe 2021 and 2022, prominent attorney and sought

7:19after speaker, media commentator Nikki Johnson Alfano. She is an unlikely success story born into poverty, homeless at age nine, and failed out of college by age 18. However, she did not let any of this stop her. I know you will all appreciate her inspirational story of determination and strength. You know, today, Nikki Johnson Alfano wears many hats and even a crown with ease. And joining us now here in studio are Clara and Julia Cooperberg, passionate about American film history and American culture. The two sisters Clara and Julia Cooperberg have created their own film country which it all films. Was that back in 2006? Yes. There they are. There you can hear. And so it's so exciting because they produce and direct films and documentaries. And I just have to say that the Cooperberg sisters work together as producers, directors, writers, and editors on their film. You know, simply they do it all.

8:21Their documentaries are distributed all over the world, on platforms such as HBO Max, Amazon, Apple TV, Peacock, Hulu, and TCM. Their documentaries have been at the Cannes Film Festival. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have even done special evenings with their documentaries. I could go on and on and on. What they have to say I know will certainly be interesting. So let me just say hello, Clara, hello Julia, welcome to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. Thank you. Thank you. You know, we've had so much fun the other day, I mean working together. I can't imagine it. And the two of you working together on your documentaries, I mean your sisters and you work together every day. And you are best friends. I mean, how is this? This is like quite something when I think about it. Let me just ask this question. Is there a film or performer that inspired each of you to become filmmakers? That's a good one. That's true. Julia? Yeah. I'm going to tell from you, I think. But I would say, Billy Wider, for me, Sunset Boulevard is one of my favorite movies ever.

9:26Yes. Something, quite something. Okay, Clara. That's bad. So maybe Gun win the win. Isn't that fabulous? Yes. And Scarlett is the best. I think about that tomorrow. Yeah, exactly. I'm still looking for it. I think we're all looking for it. I know. Well, with us in studio is our Hollywood museum's publicist Roger Neil. Hey, Roger. Hey, good evening, Denel. Well, before we start this evening's show and hear more from our guests, let's tell everyone how to visit and learn more about the Hollywood Museum at our special exhibits. When you get us, come on down in person to 1616 North Island Avenue or follow us on social media at Hollywood Museum or the website, thehollywoodmuseum.com. While we look forward to welcoming you, our listeners for an enjoyable day celebrating our favorite films and TV shows at Hollywood's official museum, the Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor building. When we return, we'll continue our conversation with the award-winning documentarians Clara and Julia Cooperberg.

10:27We'll hear all about their inspiring, personal and professional stories, including America's sweetheart, Hollywood's Queen of the Movies, Hollywood Trey Blazer, Miss Mary Pickford. So stay tuned to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm Denel Dadigan and we've got lots to talk about. Welcome back. You're listening to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm Denel Dadigan and tonight we're thrilled to hear the personal and professional stories from today's guests, award-winning actors and entertainment professionals celebrating women's history month. And joining us once again is the award-winning documentarians Clara and Julia Cooperberg. I have to say, your documentary, Mary Pickford, a blessing and a curse is fantastic. I've learned so much listening to it. I mean, I've studied her actually was in her home. It's quite something, you know, that Mary Pickford she really was quite a lady and a force to be reckoned with, especially in the early 1900s when we think about it. Well, hi Clara and hi Julia. Oh my goodness. Hi. Hi. So, I mean, we're giggling about this, but let me just ask the question, you know, as I

11:30said, I thoroughly enjoyed your documentary and for everyone listening, it's Mary Pickford a blessing and a curse, but tell us looking back, why was Mary Pickford such an important figure in the teens and the 20s? Well, Julia, I think we could say, like, I mean, for real, that she invented everything in Hollywood. She, like, she was the first woman who built a production company. She was the first woman to become millionaire, a scientist. That's right, but a 26 or something? Yeah. It was in 1916, something like that. She became just millionaire by signing with Zuka, which was, like, totally, like, she was the first. Um, she's there, created with her husband Douglas Furbrings, the Academy Motion of Pictures and Art and Cions, science that we know today. And they organized the first Oscar ceremony in 1929, I think, I'm not wrong, 1929, yeah. That was correct. That was correct. Yes. Always correcting me.

12:31The voice of reason. Of course. The big sister. She's an oldest. But let me ask the question, how was Mary Pickford able to succeed in a male-dominated world at the turn of the century, especially in the early and mid-1900s? I mean, when men visibly dominated the entertainment industry, what was her secret? Oh, she was very good. You know, she was very good. She was like the first badass of Hollywood. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Because she was very small, very tiny woman, and she was so tough because she had no idea. She had to fight with Zuka, with all the big muggles of that time. Oh, and she had a really great mother as well, who took care of her. She was, yeah, she was a badass behind her, I mean, for real, I mean. Are we going to be beeped? Oh, we? No. Sorry, we're French. It's just our French, as we say. I know Mary Pickford is considered a trailblazer for her many achievements. Tell us more about what was it with her that she was able to come up with all of this,

13:36and we started to touch on what her major accomplishments were. But I think about it because as a child, I know there's the story and maybe you can share it with her listeners when she was very young, the father left, and she was the breadwinner of the family, and I think she just continued. Yeah, she was very poor, and she became actress in theater at the beginning, and when our mother came and told her, you have to do some movies. She said, oh, no, no, no, no, because it was terrible to be in the movie business at that time, yes. She was witty, you know, she was smart. So with me. So Julia, you're saying she had a good sense of humor? Oh, yeah, she did. She was fun, and she was fun, and she was smart, and she knows how to navigate, because she had to learn in very early in life, of course, yes. She makes me think a bit of like Marilyn Monroe in a way, you know, like that's the same childhood, like Paul, like orphanage, foster home, like they had to take care of themselves, they have to support themselves, and they made their life like the other came, and they

14:39did something like so powerful with their life. Well, you know, you mentioned Marilyn Monroe. We should just interrupt right now and talk about your newest project, your newest documentary. It's about Marilyn Monroe. Yeah, and the thing is, there is like 100 of stuff about that exists about her, and we wanted to do something like, if she can watch it from Evan, when she is right now, she will like it, you know? She will say like, okay, finally, they have something like, not gossip about me. We are talking about my career, my role, my characters, how I work so hard to be here. But this is a very thoughtful approach, because there have been so many stories done in film, in magazines, in books about Marilyn Monroe, but you have taken a very thoughtful approach to it. Yeah, we wanted to be happy like from anywhere she is right now. I mean, we wanted to be like proud of it, and not a shame, and we didn't want to talk about gossip. We didn't want to talk about her, you know, her shrink talked about her, her lovers.

15:42I mean, everyone talked about her, without knowing her, which... Well, you know, one of Marilyn Monroe's favorite places, interestingly enough, was the blonde's only room in the historic Max Factory building, because she always felt so good when she left there, because she knew that they had made Marilyn what Marilyn wanted to be, and what the studios were happy with, and what the professionals were happy with. And she herself felt good about herself, so it's a winning combination. Well, I wish you both the best of luck on this, and I want to hear more about this documentary as the months go by, wow. I guess I should ask you both, because we are celebrating Women's History Month. What does Women's History Month mean to you? So Julia? Yeah, it means a lot. Well, I mean, it should be like every month of the year first, but as we have one month, we can talk about it. Well, first, you have to remember that there were, like, women who created Hollywood at the beginning of century. Tell us about that. Well, I mean, women couldn't work in any, like, respectable profession, like Jews at that time.

16:42What's the same? They had to flee from the pogroms in East Europe. So they all, like, find their way to Hollywood, and they created all together Hollywood, and they were more women, director, and editor, and producer, before 1930s, and ever after in Hollywood history. And first talking picture, first, like, the, I mean, the boom, you know, the boom is the thing, like, you can take the sound with it during a, when you shoot something. It was Dorothy Asner, who invented it. Why should you do that? But you did a documentary on Dorothy Asner, yeah, we did, yeah. She was amazing, because she was the first openly gay woman in Hollywood doing movie only for the more girls and for the big studios with very strong topic about women. So it was very rare at that time to be a woman in that set. Really, really, really. Wow. I had no idea. And I'm sure our listeners have no idea either. You're educating us. This is fabulous. Wow. Well, getting back to Mary Pickford, you know, she basically, I understand, helped invent

17:43independent filmmaking with her partners. I mean, listen, I mean, this is amazing. Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and DW Griffith, when they started United Artists in 1919. I mean, it really makes me wonder, in the day, and you touched on this, in 1919, how did Mary Pickford get along and hold her own with such a powerful group of successful actors and professionals? I mean, be kind close doors in the boardroom. What was that like? And in real life? Yeah. Yeah, because she was a most powerful woman at that time. You have to imagine. Yeah. She was the biggest actress. She was the hate, I would say, Mary Du Monde. She was a wonder, she was a wonder of the world. Yeah, in America. She was like a queen. You mentioned that, so why was she considered a Hollywood queen? Because with Earth's band, Douglas Fairbanks, there was a royalty of Hollywood, you know. They mentioned Pickford, like Pickford and Fair for Faberanks, I mean, was like the White

18:48House of the Hollywood area. Oh, wow. Everybody came here from Albert Einstein to the Kings to everyone. Wow. And they received all these very important people. Well, you know, it's interesting because I recognized learning the topics about Hollywood and Max Factor and makeup. Early in Hollywood, they built separate hotels for the actors, but after a certain point in time, in the late 20s, early 30s, the actors became like royalty. All of them, not just Mary Pickford, so she was the first to start it, but everyone just could not do enough for Hollywood royalty. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. There was a first, but after them, of course, all the actors became queen and king in Hollywood. Doing all that studying and preparation for your Mary Pickford documentary, what was the one action that started her on her trajectory? She invented the way to act, to not overact in front of the camera.

19:51Oh, yeah, sure that with our listeners. Because she understood that the camera will come so closer that she doesn't have to act. She doesn't have to do a lot. Contrary to the silent era where there were a lot of makeup, doing a lot of expression, they had to, you know, because they didn't talk. So they had to show emotion through their face and she understood at that time, like she didn't have to do it anymore. You know, I was reading about that and they were talking about how it was so natural and she didn't interrupt her flow of acting to make sure that she made certain hand movements, or eye movements, or gesticulating, which was very common, especially in silent film early on. I mean, because Mary Pickford, she was in silent film, but she did it all, I think, was it with her eyes? Yes. She wanted to look natural, like the method, you know, way, you know, like, before, way before, you know. But the method acting, I mean, wow, natural, don't act, just be incredible. Well, let me ask the question, how did the two of you bonafide French ladies become so

20:56passionate about American film history and American culture? How did this come about? Yeah, we've made it on your father. Yeah. And our mother, we have been raised with American culture, movies and books. Yeah, and as Jewish girls, you know, like, we were like, America, if there was not for American, you will speak German right now. So well, you always have look up to American and look up to American culture as a children. Boy, isn't that true? Yeah. Oh, yeah. Well, I just can't get over how quickly the segment has gone by. We have to take a quick break. And when we return, our next guest, well-known attorney, Gloria Allred. She even has her own documentary, seeing Allred highlighting her battles for justice that can be seen on Netflix. Gloria Allred has won countless honors for her pioneering legal work on behalf of women's rights and rights for minorities. And you know, time magazine called Gloria, one of the nation's most effective advocates

21:57of family rights and feminist causes. Stay tuned to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm Denelle Dadegan, and we've got lots to talk about. Welcome back. You're listening to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm Denelle Dadegan, and tonight we are thrilled to hear the personal and professional stories from today's guests. Award-winning actors and entertainment professionals celebrating women's history month and joining us, the well-known attorney Gloria Allred. She even has her own documentary, seeing Allred. Highlighting her battles for justice on Netflix. Now Gloria Allred has won countless honors for her pioneering legal work on behalf of women's rights and the rights for minorities. Gloria Allred is a four-time Emmy nominee for her commentaries on K-ABC television in Los Angeles, and her nationally syndicated television show We the People with Gloria Allred. And did you know President Obama has introduced Gloria Allred? Because one of the best attorneys in the country.

22:59Well, hi Gloria. Hi Denelle. What a pleasure and an honor to have you here on Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. Well, thank you. It's my honor that you've invited me to be part of your interviews for women's history month or, as I would prefer to call it, women's history month. Oh, I like that, and it should be history every day. I like it. It should be all year every day, correct, because it's a toast story. That's right. Not just his story. That's why I call it that. Thank you. I like, well, you know, over the years you have received many, more than many awards and acknowledgments for your advocacy, especially on behalf of women's rights and rights for minorities, representing victims of discrimination on account of their sex, their race, age, physical handicap, or sexual orientation. Gloria, was there a significant case that triggered your passion for the underdog? No, I've been practicing law for 50 years.

23:59We are the leading women's rights law firm in the nation, and we're blessed to have the confidence of those who contact us and who become our clients to fight with them, not just for them, you know, to earn the respect, the dignity, and the justice that they so rightly deserve. You know, I wouldn't say it's just one case. It's beyond my imagination. The kinds of cases that we have worked with our clients to win over these 50 years. We've done that not only through court victories, which juries have awarded us in their verdict, but also in many, many more than a thousand confidential settlements without a lawsuit in which we are able to win a settlement that our client feels is fair under the facts and under the law. And this way, they can do it quietly, no one will know about it in their next job, for example, or even in their family, or the co-workers, and many people do value their privacy.

25:04And they prefer to have confidential settlements because, of course, lawsuits are public. And not everybody wants to be public about the rape or child sexual abuse that they have suffered, but they do want justice. So that's what they want, and we're there to serve our clients' needs and not to be speaking to the press unless the client wants that, and then unless we agree that it will help them to achieve their justice goals and not hurt them. That is really something when you think about it, and you have been doing this for decades. And we've won over half billion dollars. Oh, my goodness. Oh, that's brilliant with the B. So, in other words, what we say is that it's not the person who did the wrong who should be able to blame the victim for what they wrongdoer did. It's the wrongdoer who should literally pay the consequences of his wrong, and I mean that through a settlement or through a verdict in the court of law. In other words, the victim should not have to pay the cost of the wrong because they

26:07have suffered costs, sometimes they have to pay for therapy, medical bills, sometimes they have lost earnings from their work, and other costs, pain and suffering. So they shouldn't have to pay for the cost of the wrong, the wrongdoer who caused the wrong, they've put it on them, that's the person that has to literally pay the cost of the wrong. Oh, no one ever said your job was easy. My goodness. It's not easy, and I'm glad you said that because I've always said no one has ever given women any rights, and they still don't give women any rights today. We've had to fight for every right that we have won, and once we've won the right, we have to continue to be ever vigilant so that we don't lose the right that we fought to win. And also, a lot of women don't know what their rights are. They may say, oh, well, maybe it's too late for me to get some justice against the person who abused me when I was a child, maybe it's too late because now I'm 30 years old and that was when I was nine years old, it's not, they shouldn't come to those conclusions.

27:09They should ask a lawyer, is it still timely, I'm like, could I still fight for my rights now? Would the law allow that? Because the laws now are changing, and you'll see, thank you for mentioning my documentary, seeing our rights. I'm sure, yes. So you're wearing glasses on Netflix, and I mentioned that because in that documentary, you will see some of my clients and myself in the California legislature advocating for lengthening the statute of limitations, meaning extending the time period during which a person can file a lawsuit. And of course, we were able to win that in California, and then also in Nevada, and then also in Colorado and DC. And now it's throughout the nation, and I've also advocated in New York where I'm licensed to practice law in New York as well. But to extend the period of time, that's important because that means more access to justice for victims who for one reason or another didn't immediately consult a lawyer to see if

28:10they would have some justice in the civil realm through settlements or through a lawsuit. And for whatever reason, they didn't do it when they were younger, to give them more time now when their older is extremely important because we don't want the courthouse door to be slammed in their face, and people to be told it's too late to do anything about it. Sorry, we believe you, but it's too late. It shouldn't be too late for anyone to access justice, particularly if they've been sexually harassed on the job or the victim of gender violence or because of their sexual orientation. We want people to at least know their rights and then to learn if it's still within the time period to assert their rights and also to vindicate their rights and win justice. So people should just reach out to an attorney if they're not sure. And then we can tell them or other attorneys can tell them, yes, you can still do something about it. Here's what you can do or you can't. You know, it's so interesting and you've given us a great tutorial and a primer on this, I mean, but you've brought in the double meaning of the word history versus her story.

29:14And so my question to you is, it's women's history month, what does this mean to you? I mean, your whole lifetime has been geared around the rights of women and trying to bring us to equal footing. What does this mean to you, women's history month? Well, I mean, I think women's rights should be focused on every day of the year, but you know, I wasted some month, although I don't really accept problems. I want the whole loaf of bread, I want equality. And when do I want it, I want it now, not yesterday and not like 10 years from now, I want it right now. So that's where I am. I have seen both an evolution and a revolution, I will say, in women's rights since I started practicing 50 years ago, but we still have a long way to go. And so we are still working to expand access to rights, for example, changing and extending the statute of limitations that arbitrary time period during which a person can file a

30:16lawsuit. And like I said, in the rights of a lawsuit, for example, that means that we can always then have the right to try to get a settlement without a lawsuit, because we're still within the time period to do it. That's very important. But for example, I mean, I have seen, you know, two steps forward, one step back. We have seen, for example, in the issue of reproductive rights, the right to choose legal safe and available and affordable abortions. We've seen that right one in 1973. We've seen it now taken away by the same, the United States Supreme Court, meaning the same court, not necessarily the same justices, on the Supreme Court, who have now taken away the right to legal and safe, affordable, available abortions. So that, of course, has a negative impact on young people, women of color, rural women, and poor women, of course, very vulnerable, because they can't go off on another state where it is legal to get divorced, and they can't afford a bus ride there, or maybe they'd be fitter for their other children. So we have a long way to go.

31:16Yes. And if you could pass on a few words to a young girl wanting to follow her dreams, what would you say? What positive message would you say that you could share with our young people who are out there and maybe listening to this show? Great question. And I would say, I would say you deserve respect, dignity, and your rights. You are not necessarily judged on your merits, as you think you will be even though you've studied hard in school, so you have to know your rights and be able to assert them if you are denied your rights on the job. So get ready to be the strong, wise woman that you are going to be and that you are meant to be. And if you don't know what your rights are, reach out to a lawyer and find out, or look on the internet to read your rights. And when you win justice for yourself, that means you have also won justice for many others who will follow. Well, Gloria, thank you so much. Thank you. It has been a true pleasure having you here on Hollywood's Hidden Treasures.

32:17I can't believe how quickly the segment went by. In our final moments together, just tell us how can they follow your website, Instagram, Instagram. Yeah, they can just reach me on GloriaAlred.com, and we'll be looking to hear from people who want to know whether they're right or how can they write the wrongs against them, because information is power. Absolutely. And that's what we want. It's powerful women. You all heard it from GloriaAlred. Information is power. Well, thank you Gloria for joining us today. We all loved your stories and insights. Thank you for sharing. Thank you. Thank you so much. Well, I have to just say, it's time for a quick break. When we return, we'll be speaking with the greatest of all time. The first, the original Catwoman, who starred on ABC's 1960s TV show, Batman. I'm talking about Miss Julie Numer. Did you know Numer received two US patents in the 1970s? Well, you have to kind of wonder what hasn't she done?

33:18Well, stay tuned to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm Denille Datigan. We've got lots to talk about. Welcome back, you're listening to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm Denille Datigan. And tonight, joining us, celebrating Women's History Month, is the greatest of all time. The first, the original Catwoman, who starred on ABC's 1960s TV show, Batman. We know her as Miss Julie Numer. But as they say, this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Did you know that Julie Numer received two US patents in the 1970s? Well, I'm going to let her tell you what it's all about. And she is an avid gardener. Her gardens, they are renowned and subject of multiple magazines. In fact, I have seen them and they are akin to a secret garden. And she even has had a rose, a day lily, and a begonia named after her. And Miss Numer, let me just tell you, she is really an real estate entrepreneur. She has been investing in real estate here in Los Angeles for decades.

34:19And a woman's magazine once remarked, Numer is partly responsible for improving the Los Angeles neighborhoods on La Brea Avenue and Fairfax Avenue near the Grove. Julie was a vocal LGBT rights advocate. Her brother, John, is gay. And she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing. Now, I just want to share with everyone that Julie's newest book, The Conscious Catwoman Explains Life on Earth. Julie provides tips on aging, education, personal experience, and finance. Wow, Julie, your life is amazing. And thank you for joining us here on Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. Hi, Julie. Oh, don't know. You make me laugh. I think you know too much about me. I'm lovely to be with you, don't know. Oh, it's a pleasure. You know, Julie, the first thing that comes to everyone's mind when they hear your name, Julie Numer, is your acting career, your performances in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

35:23By the way, did you hear the opening bumper song that was from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? I can see you dancing in it. I know. It's still a treasure of a film today. It's one of MGM's best musicals. It broke all records at Radio City Musical in New York City. And it's adored by millions of people and they watch it year after year. So I may do. And so grateful to be part of this treasurable piece of history. Absolutely. But you know, I think people should know more about you, the real Julie. You are also quite the real estate entrepreneur. You own property on the popular streets of Fairfax and La Brea avenues. And this area keeps getting more and more popular year after year. Can you share with our listeners what made you want to get into the real estate game? My mother. Julie. Now, if you don't know that is the entrepreneur, I'm merely owned two small pieces of property.

36:26I'm thank goodness that my mother, I inherited from my mother. So I'm a landlord. But don't throw macaroni at me. And it's a difficult business these days because it's difficult for people. But I think we'll get through it. Right. I hope so. Do you feel the same about your management and your ownership of the property? I do. And it's always about finding the right tenant and it's always about working together so that you can be a team. It's very, very important. And that I learned from my parents like you learn from your mother. So interesting. But I touched on it just before you joined us. And that is that you are a holder of not one, but two US patents. Can you tell us about this? I mean, that's just amazing. Oh, I think it gets second page reviews. It's more popular than I invented some kind of pantyhose

37:27because back in the days, I'm tall. And if you remember, when you put on your pantyhose, it slipped down. And it's just never fit. Yes. It's kind of funny because it was referred to as impolmation. We know what that means. Tell our listeners, tell our listeners. It's very rare. And we know what that word means in French. You're back. Side. But anyways, that was just to make me look better on stage and people keep bringing that up. Now, I heard it was a time. I heard it was promoted as nude mar. That was the name. Yeah, just the name to sell things. But it never went on the market. It became popular because I invented it. But anyways, that's just one of the indulgencies we do in life, right? And now you have another patent. And that was for a brassier? Oh, well, you know, I used to be fascinated with the workroom's

38:31costume department at 20th century Fox. And the darling lady's seamstresses at Fox made the same brassier for me that they made for Marilyn Monroe. Wow. And it was a way of introducing it to the public because it was a tightly little thin spaghetti straps over the shoulder made of elastic. And when you wore it under a slinky dress, you never saw the underwear. Wow. That was kind of a secret boost to life. I like that. We're all smiling in the studio together listening to you. Wow. Well, I just have to say you know, you've written a best-selling book, The Conscious Cat Woman, Explains Life Honor. Did you know your book is sold out on Amazon? Oh, dear. How fat means? Oh, good heavens, but I have a new one. I have a new book. It doesn't have a publisher yet. And I may self-publish and gosh, it was what the standards are today. But it's nine lives of Julie Neumar.

39:33And there are some people. Oh, my gosh. It's not salacious. Well, that's a good word for it. Stories about the famous people, men, of course, in this book of mine. And it is wonderful pictures. And I am looking for the right publisher. Well, for Elysner's out there, you heard it from Julie Neumar. She has a new book, The Nine Lives of Julie Neumar. Oh, my goodness. Well, Julie, can I ask a question? If you could pass on a few words to a young girl wanting to follow her dreams, what would you say? What positive message can you share with our young people up there that may be listening? Well, there's one thing I'd like to tell to the mothers of these young girls. Wow. I think it would be very helpful. And it's this. If between the ages of age and 14, the mothers would take their daughters to ballet class. That would solve a lot of future problems in life

40:34like grace and being in public. And their bodies would always be graceful. And you never had that self-consciousness, you know, when you walk into a room. It's the best advice I would give to mothers. It's a fabulous advice. And we are all agreeing with you. It's so true. I mean, I remember when I was a young girl, that was just a requirement. We were to do that. We went. Oh, and you take music lessons? Yes. Tell me about it. Were you a pianist? Yeah. Michael J. Eterby. Tell me about it. Well, of course, Jose Eterby, you're so smart, Julie, is my godfather, Jose Eterby. Who has his star on the walk of fame? And he is one of the big stars. And he am. Oh, my gosh. People have adored him. They put him in so many musicals. And he did so much for Metro Golden Mayor. Oh, he was a great big star. And then he was so delightful. And he was concert pianist.

41:34Go on, tell me. Oh, well, he was quite extraordinary. I always think about it. You know, he was the first musician to sell a million copies of a record. I mean, you'd have thought it was Elvis Presley or the Beatles. But it was Jose Eterby playing piano, Chopin's military polonaise. Yeah, there I know. I know. I know we should sit down together and do that. That would be so much fun. Oh, wow. Well, he was a big star. And I'm so happy that he was in your life in that way. Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. Well, Julie, our time together is starting to shrink very quickly. Let me ask a question. What does women's history month mean to you? I'm so glad that we can shine. And the, well, I like the word a door, don't you? I did. Don't you like that? I like to be a door. Roger, do you like to be a door? I want to tell you a secret. I want to tell you, I don't know if you can use this on air. But this has to do with music. And there's a study that women who multiple orgasms

42:40do it in the counts of eight, not ten, because music and your natural body rhythm is in counts of eight. And when dances of choreographers will start their dances, they always say five, six, seven, eight. And then the dancers start to dance. Yes. So eight is also a lucky number in Chinese. We love that. And don't we love ourselves as women? I'm going to be a female in the next life. And with that. All right. I love it. Well, Julie, it has been a pleasure having you here on Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. In our final moments together, please tell our listeners how they can follow you. Facebook, Instagram. Yes, both. On Facebook and Instagram, I learned so much from the people that follow me that it has changed my life in a wondrous way. And every week I will put up something new. And it's a great learner.

43:41That's what its gift is. Isn't that the truth? To me, yes. Well, Julie, I want to thank you so much for joining us today. Everyone missed Julie Numer. We all loved your stories. Everyone in the studio is applauding. Thank you for sharing them, Julie. Thank you so much. Well, we just have to take a quick break. And when we return, we'll be speaking with award-winning singer and actress, Frida Payne. You all remember her and her single from 1970s, Band of Gold. The number one smash hit that earned Frida Payne, her first gold record of many. And did you know, in the early 1980s, Frida Payne even hosted her own talk show, Today's Black Woman. You won't want to miss this segment. So stay tuned to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. We've got lots to talk about. Every day, excessive delays and denials from big insurers keep patients from accessing the care they need. And when care is urgent, these delays can be disastrous. These practices cost billions in wasteful spending, driving up costs for American families.

44:43But while big insurers put up barriers, America's hospitals and health systems are in your corner, navigating endless reviews and appeals to get you the care you need when you need it most. It's time to curb these harmful practices and put the focus back on patients. Brought to you by the Coalition to Strength in America's Healthcare. The expectation and the norm is to win. And that is what we will be able to do here. I believe in the power of UCLA. It's a new day for UCLA football with new head coach Bob Chesney taking charge. And we need you to be a part of it. The right man is at the Hellman Westwood and the time is now for you to put your support behind the Bruins. UCLA football is ready to win. And we can't wait to see you this fall. Visit UCLABruins.com slash tickets for more info on how to secure your seats for the 2026 season. Go Bruins. Welcome back. You're listening to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm Denelle Dadding and tonight we're celebrating Women's History Month and joining us is the award-winning singer and actress Frida Payne, best known for her 1970s single Band of Gold.

45:44The number one smash hit that earned Frida Payne her first gold record and Grammy nomination. You know, Frida has released more than 20 albums and 30 singles. And she has received numerous awards throughout her career, including a Lifetime Achievement Award and Legacy Award from the Women's Songwriters Hall of Fame. And today, even after decades of being in this industry, Frida Payne continues to perform and celebrate her legacy as one of the defining voices of her era. Well, hi Frida and welcome to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. Hi, how are you? I am great. You know, we were just chitchatting about the other night when you were at the museum unveiling the new Black History Month exhibit. This joint is jumpin'. We had such fun that night. I know. That museum is always kind of like a mystical place to me. I don't know if you remember, but there was one Halloween that we were downstairs in the dungeon level

46:46in Hannibal Lecter's jail cell area. And we had a clairvoyant that came and all of us women got together, including you. And it was quite something to hear what we were lookin' for. If we could find things that were lost and what did our futures hold, it's very exciting. Yeah, I know, I remember that. That was an interesting night. That was to say the least. Well, let me just ask the question. You know, as a successful award-winning performer in film on TV and on Broadway and in concert in front of tens of thousands of fans, you've starred on television, in film, and on stage, you have worn so many different hats. Tell us, what is the best advice someone gave you that you continue to carry with you to this day? And why does it mean so much to you? Well, I probably had some good advice along the way. I think it's always follow your gut instincts.

47:46If you feel something's not quite right, don't do it. Boy, that's true. And how many times we try to move through it or move past it just because we think maybe it could be the right thing to do, but our gut feeling tells us not necessarily. Always, always, follow what your first thought, your first gut thought was. You know, like they say, whatever you were thinking, your first thought, and then you kept thinking over, oh, well, maybe I should go this way. Maybe I should turn right instead of left, but your first instinct was turn right. And then you start questioning. When you start questioning, that's when you're in trouble. Should I go to this party or should I not? Should I stay at home? Should I wear lashes and dress up to the hilt? You know what I mean? I do. Or should I just be more simple and just be more plain, you know, and just show the real true me, not the phony dressed up me?

48:48I don't know. But that dressed up you, and that is what all of your fans love, you know? Well, you know what, like I said before, my first instinct when I know I'm going to a particular event or party, my first instinct is said, OK, girl, put on the dog. You know, do you make up really good, your last move? Wear heels, wear a sexy dress, or at least something that is really nice and will stand out. And usually when I follow that instinct, I'm usually right. I rather overdo it than not do enough. And then you come off looking lame, you know? Like, oh, God. Can't you wear anything better than that? I love it. So let me take you back to the 60s and 70s when you were a start-now becoming famous. You were a woman belting out hits in the 60s and 70s. What were some of the challenges, professional and personal that you faced?

49:49Was it like breaking into a male-dominated business, or was it easy for you? Well, to tell you that you said, when you said that word, male-dominated business, it's like, without a woman, a man has to have a woman, and a woman has to have a man. Oh, no. I once said, a man brought me here, and a man is gonna take me back. And when I think about it, who wrote my big hits? Not a woman, a man. That's just for me. Cause there's a lot of great female songwriters, Carol King, and Diane Warren, and producers, who are out there, and like Valerie Simpson, of Ashford and Simpson, it's not just all men. So it's not all men. Look at Taylor Swift. See, she's working in my generation. She's a young girl, a young woman. So things have changed from when you first started till today? Yeah, right. It's like, she is the full package.

50:52She not only is an attractive young girl, but she writes her own material, her songs, she records them, they become hits, and that's why she's mega rich, you know? In so many ways, yes. And so many ways, I remember I was once married. I only married once in my life, you know, legitimately, that is, and his name. That'll be for another show, Frida. That's for another show. But he used to say to me, you know, when we were still married and getting along, you know, he said, you need to write your own songs. I said, but I'm not good at that. I said, I rather record songs and sing songs by really good songwriters, like Gershwin, Cole Porter. You know what I'm talking about, you know? Like I mentioned Carol King and people like that. Oh my God. Hal David, backer rack and backer rack and David. I said, they write great songs.

51:53I don't think I can come up to that mark if I did it myself. But you know what? I think I attempted to do it because of him. It was no song that ever became a hit. But after we divorced, he went on to have his own recording career. And guess what? His first single came out on Columbia, and he had a number one record across the board. Gregory Abbott. Whoa, I'll be darn, I'll be darn. Well, let me get back to the subject of the day which is Women's History Month. What does Women's History Month mean to you? It means that women have done a lot of things in this business and out of this business. Women have been pioneers. Women have been inventors. Women are great producers, songwriters, scriptwriters. Women have done it all. I mean, come on. We almost had our first woman president of the United States had Kamala Harris won.

52:54And she should have won because I voted for her. Are you there yet? And you heard her first on Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. Yeah. So if you could pass on a few words to a young girl wanting to follow her dreams, what would you say to her? What positive message could you share? Well, I would say just that. First of all, sometimes you get discouraged. You get discouraged and you feel like, oh God, maybe I'm not meant for this. Maybe I better just try something else. Never give up on your dreams. If you have a dream, always have that dream that you're going to make it. Yeah. Because without that dream, you have nothing. You know, a dream is something to hold on to. Another word for dream is having faith. Having faith that you are talented, that you are somebody, that you can make it into this business. And if you feel that, if you know that you have talent,

53:56and of course, I remember back when I was like about 11, or 12 years old, I was very shy, painfully shy. And I wouldn't sing for anybody. And finally, one day, I did sing from my mother and some of her friends. But I had to be coaxed into doing it. And then I decided that I would try to audition for a talent contest in Detroit where I lived. And I turned 13. I went and auditioned. And I was accepted to be in the contest. And in the contest, I won. And I had no courage up until when I won, it was like my ego went through the roof. It was like, oh my God, they think I'm really good. They really like me. They like me. They really like me. Remember that time when Sally Fields won the Oscar. And she says, you like me. You really like me. Oh my goodness, Frida.

54:57I cannot believe the time has just gone by so quickly. In our final moments together today, please tell our listeners how they can follow you. You can follow me on Instagram. And also, I have a website. I am free to pain.net. And also try.com as well. Wow. I am free to pain.net or.com. Whichever works. Fabulous. Well, thank you, Frida Payne, for joining us today. We all love your stories. And thank you for sharing. Oh, thank you. I know. Thank you so much. I love you. Oh, I love you too. I love you too. Well, stay tuned to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm Daniel Dadegan, and when we return, we'll once again be speaking with great friends of the Hollywood Museum, the award-winning documentarians. Clara and Julia, Cooperberg. Clara and Julia will share several amazing stories with us about the Hollywood pioneer and trailblazer, Mary Pickford.

55:57Stay tuned to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. We've got lots to talk about. Welcome back, you're listening to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm Daniel Dadegan, and tonight we're thrilled to hear the stories about Women's History Month from our entertainment professionals. And joining us once again are the award-winning documentarians, Clara and Julia Cooperberg, who started their own film company, Wichita Films, in 2006, to produce and direct documentaries. You know, their documentaries are distributed all over the world. And yes, you can easily see them on the platforms, HBO Max, Amazon, Apple TV, Peacock, Hulu, and TCM, and I'm sure many, many more. Well, Bonjour Clara and Bonjour Julia. Hi ladies. Hi. Hi. You know, I'm so excited, and I just have to ask this question. Together, the two of you have won numerous awards, including Best Director Award at the Beverly Hills from Festival for the Women Who Run Hollywood.

56:58And you've had a special screening and Q&A of the same film at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Linwood Theater here in Hollywood. And you know, for our listeners, they have done a documentary that is extraordinary, Hannibal Hopkins and Sir Anthony. It won Best International Feature Documentary at the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival and Film Fund in Palm Springs. And in March, you even won the Special Jewry Award at the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival for your latest film, Mary Pickford, a blessing and a curse. You've even edited the editions of Montparnasse and you've released several special DVD box sets with more than 30 of your films. Well, how many films have you ladies done? Sixty. Sixty, okay Clara, is that right Julia? Yeah, it is. Oh my gosh. And your documentary has even been screened at the Font Can Film Festival and Doville the American Film Festival. I mean, how do you manage to accomplish everything

58:00with, I'm going to say just the two of you, although I know there are many other people, but you two control it 100%. How is this possible? No vacation. No vacation. Yeah, I think that's because we are only the boss of us. We don't hire people. We hire like a DP, and that's it. But otherwise, we do everything. Tell me what a DP is. Oh, sorry, like a cinematographer or someone who should direct a whole photography. Direct a whole photography. And except for him, I mean, we do everything because so it's easy, it's fast, you know, like we don't have an ego. She's my sister. I'm always right at the end of the day anyway. Of course. Wait a minute, wait a minute, Clara. What do we have to say about this? Well, no sing, you know. She knows too well. Yeah, she's a young girl. You know, she's my little sister. So I have to say yes to everything. Oh. Of course she has. And she has to say how much she has. But yeah, that's why we share a dog. And the dog is like, one is very important in the company. Is she the vice president?

59:00Yes, the vice. Or she's the real boss. Yes, the real boss. For sure. Well, getting back to this now, what's your goal? You're objective to making documentaries about the golden age and the great times of Hollywood. What's the goal for you? Well, I share a legacy by the American movies history. You know, it's very important to not forget them. Yeah. We often say that we do documentaries for people who not for signify, you know, not for people who know better than us to subject. They won't learn anything from them. We want to do the documentary for the student, for people who doesn't know so well, cinema, who thinks like, oh, black and white movie is like a torture. And when they look at our movie, when they watch the documentaries, they're like, oh my god, I want to see all the movie again. I want to see all the middle form and movies and so on and so on. That's the mission, I mean, too. What's the fabulous mission? I mean, so how do you choose your subjects? Oh, I'm the hurt. I would say that we often say that the movie, like it's like the Grimlins, you know,

1:00:01like when we finish the movie, like we have like a hundred of other ideas. Wow. Thanks to it. So like pouring water on it and it makes baby, you know. Well, because I'm asking this, because frankly, your viewers come from all corners of the earth. I mean, it's just extraordinary when you think about it because it's streamed everywhere your work. Everywhere, you know? Yeah, we're very lucky. I mean, our movie, like very successful in all of the world, actually. Yeah, in Australia, in New Zealand, everywhere. They are mainstream, you know? They are easy. They are not far, you know. You will not feel like, oh, I don't know anything. Oh my god, it's boring. Our biggest fear, like people like get bored. Why watching them? So that's why it's always like it's fun. And people like you help us. Don't know when you interview the view. But we enjoy doing it all the time. It's so much fun, you know? So I got to ask, we've now learned you have done 60 documentaries, which is just amazing. You've done them together. So for each of you, which one is your favorite?

1:01:02It's like choosing like a baby. I would say, I would say the woman who run Hollywood. For you, Clara, is that was it? Yeah, because it was for me is one of the most important. It was fabulous. Yeah, to put light on all those forget and woman, you know? For good and woman who have been erased from film history. So it was very important. And you did a fabulous job. As you know, the Academy just did a special screening of it. It was so important. And Julia? And for me, we are me too obviously, but also like the spy. What is the English title? I mean, we made a documentary about the actors, the OSS, which like the former CIA here. And the trained actors and actresses to become spy during World War II. And that would be very interesting. Edith Lamar, that you just mentioned earlier. But Edith Lamar, Kerry Grant, they were all spy and they did a lot, a lot. I mean, good agarbo. Save like 93% of the Jewish population in Denmark.

1:02:04Incredible. So that's very important to that one. I love that one. Absolutely, absolutely. And you know, when I think about it, Marlene Dietrich, I did not know till we did the exhibit at the Hollywood Museum, Hollywood goes to war, a celebration victory for all the involvement in World War II. I had no idea that there was a bounty, there was a price tag put on Marlene Dietrich's head by the Germans. I had no idea. Because they could travel without checking or anything. Because they were mega-star. So in Germany, I mean, Hitler was a big fan of Marlene Dietrich. She often says that she could have to make it kill, you know. Because she wanted to make him kill. So, yeah, I mean, that's the Hollywood story because it was like here in Hollywood in the 1940 with the OSS. So if people like to check this out, it's just amazing. Oh, yes, absolutely. Well, I suggest that they do. We're going to ask later on, but really very quickly, why don't you give them the website where they can like check everything? Well, it's our company.

1:03:05Which of datfilm.com? And all of our documentary, you can rent it. Oh, I mean, it's very easy. Just click on it. It's fabulous. I'm just going to tell it to all the listeners. I click on it on a regular basis. Not only am I entertained, but I learned something new. Every time I watch a documentary. Thank you. Oh, please. Thank you. Wow. We should have accomplished. Well, you know, by all accounts of Hollywood and film history, Mary Pickford was one of the highest paid women of her time. And we just spoke about this. You know, I think it was by like 1916. Oh, she 24, 26 years old. She had officially become Hollywood's first millionaire. So tell us, how did this happen? Tell us about this. I mean, was it just because of film industry or was it because of how she began so early in life doing different things? What was the combination that made her that? She was a little darling of America. You have to remember that she was a curly, blonde girl.

1:04:07And she was like a national treasure here in America. She was, yeah, she had poor. So she even had those curls when she was in her 20s, right? She still looked like a little girl from your documentary. You must tell why and how terrible for her. I mean, because at some point, she was like so fed up to be like the American sweet herd. She wanted to be a woman because she was like 20, 25. So she was like, I'm not going to play like little girl for all of my life. But she played a little girl, if I remember, because she is tiny. Yes. And they even hired actors that were taller. Yeah, yeah. And the set, the set was, yeah, was constant, like, you know, like the doll knob, like, was so high than her. Oh, my goodness. She looked like a child, but she was not. Yeah, she was a woman. Yeah, and she was, she wanted to play like real, real role, you know, real characters, not only children. That's why at some point, she decided to cut her hair. So it was national television. I'm sure before that was even a thing

1:05:07that was a first because of her while. Yeah, we have the footage in the documentary of her, like, cutting her hair. Now, that was something I actually had to stop it and play it again, just to make sure that it wasn't like just something from a film, but for real. No, that's not for real, yeah. It was a big thing. Well, let me just ask the question. Mary Pickford was one of the original founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. You know, the folks that give out the Oscars, what did you think she understood about Hollywood and the entertainment industry? What was it that she was able to position herself to have this understanding before other people did and that allowed her to succeed? Yeah, but she was a real business woman, you know, as we say that today, like, no, it is. And she understood very like early that it was an industry. Hollywood was becoming an industry. And she saw, I mean, all the, how popular she was. And she said, I have to do something with that. And she came up with this idea of the ceremony

1:06:08because she knew that people will, you know, like if you give a word or someone to someone, I mean, there's someone's gonna be like, more and more popular, she understood that, she understood the marketing of the time. It's just amazing when you think about it because her education was not in a school, was not the university, not at a college. It was the university's school of life. Exactly, she owned her own self, you know, alone. Just phenomenal when you think about it. I mean, I just have to say, she really was something and able to hold her own before women did that. She was a real trailblazer. She was not even allowed to vote, you know, that time woman would vote, right? In 20, she was not even allowed to vote at that time. And she fought for having the same salary than a man, you know, because Charlie Chaplin had the same salary at that time. But he wasn't then. So she thought having the same. That is so true. Well, I've just got to say we have had a great time

1:07:11with this segment, but it's time to take a quick break. And when we returned, we will be speaking with the crowned Ms. Universe 2021-2022, the prominent attorney sought after speaker, media commentator, Nikki Johnson, Alphano Esquire, sharing her personal and professional stories and how she rose up to beat all of the odds. Stay tuned to hear more of Hollywood's hidden treasures. We've got lots to talk about. The expectation and the norm is to win. And that is what we will be able to do here. I believe in the power of UCLA. It's a new day for UCLA football with new head coach Bob Chesney taking charge. And we need you to be a part of it. The right man is at the Hellman Westwood and the time is now for you to put your support behind the Bruins. UCLA football is ready to win. And we can't wait to see you this fall. Visit UCLA Bruins.com slash tickets for more info on how to secure your seats for the 2026 season. Go Bruins. Welcome back. You're listening to Hollywood's hidden treasures.

1:08:12I'm Denelle Dadegan. And joining us now is Ms. Pennsylvania 2020 and crowned Ms. Universe 2021-2022. She's a prominent attorney, a sought after speaker, media commentator, Ms. Nikki Johnson, Alphano Esquire. And you know, she is truly an unlikely success story. Born into poverty, she was homeless at the age nine and failed out of college by age 18. However, she did not let any of this stop her. You know, her personal experiences to overcome and her words of wisdom are absolutely amazing. You know, today Nikki Johnson Alphano wears many hats and even a crown with ease. Nikki has been very active in the community and legal activities over the years due to her strong belief in paying it forward. We're thrilled to have Nikki Johnson Alphano join us and be an inspiring voice, a women's history month. Well, hi, Nikki. Welcome back to Hollywood's hidden treasures.

1:09:13Hi, thank you so much for including me and what a wonderful topic talking about powerful women. Well, you fit right in, don't you? I try, but you know, I have to say, I come from a long line of powerful women and I think that's what's so beautiful about this month is, you know, talking about the stories we know and the ones that we don't know and the women who inspired all of us. You know, I have to agree with you. And now, you know, I know a little something about you because we've had wonderful conversations together and I get so excited when I think about it. So I'm going to just ask this simple question. Who was your role model growing up and how did this person inspire you to become the trailblazer you are today? I would absolutely hand down, have to say, my grandmother and Johnson. My mom had drug and alcohol issues and that ended up causing us to fall into homelessness and my grandmother and was my mother's mother and she was willing to take me and raise me

1:10:16when my mom couldn't take care of us any longer. And I think what made my grandmother so extraordinary was she was born in 1920 and Mississippi to care proper. But she understood how important education was, especially for a young woman, especially for a young woman of color. And that was something that she really pushed for me. She said that that was something that people couldn't take away from me. And she wanted me to understand that I may have challenges as a woman of color, but that I was still fortunate enough to be born in the United States and that I had opportunities that she didn't have, that I was willing to work for them. And I feel like so many of those life lessons that she taught me so early in my life have definitely played a role and the career decisions I've made and the challenges that I've been able to overcome. You know, I hear you and it is so interesting that our grandmother's play such an important role and when we're little and everything is going wonderfully, our parents and our grandparents,

1:11:17they're so out of touch, they don't understand what's important today, they don't understand what it is that we like to do, but it's our parents and our grandparents who give us that rock that we can rely on. You know that solid ground and when all else fails, they are there to help us. And I love the fact that you recognize this and that you give this wonderful tribute to your grandmother and wow. She was absolutely, to me, a superhero because she was someone that education wasn't as easily accessible to her, but she was someone that just had a lot of natural elegance and she inspired respect and people. So she was somebody that I grew up respecting and it's somebody that I understood intrinsically that she was very important and she was somebody that was very wise and very kind and even though obviously we didn't have a lot of resources, she really instilled in me the bogey of community and that we had an obligation to help people

1:12:19that no matter what our situation was, that we were more fortunate than other people and we had more than some people and that we needed to help other people and that's how we would be judged. Yes, you know your grandmother is so special and she was really forward thinking just incredible. So Nikki, we've talked about this before. What was the impetus behind your participating in beauty pageants? I mean, you're an attorney and here you got involved, you know, to become Ms. Pennsylvania and then you became Ms. Universe. What was the impetus that you thought you would participate in this why? Well, I think like a lot of people, especially a lot of young girls, we grew up watching pageants on television and I remember watching in one of the homeless shelters that we were in the Miss America pageant and looking at these young women who were in college and the beautifully dressed gowns and that seemed so far away and so impossible. But I have to say that that image really resonated with me

1:13:21and stayed with me and after I got myself together, after I went back to school at night and finished college and went on to law school, I actually was asked to judge the Miss Philadelphia pageant. I loved it. You know, they said we think you're a great role model and I loved it, but I did feel a little sad. I said, oh gosh, I wish I'd had the opportunity to do that when I was younger and it turns out that there are pageants for women who were married, women who were a little bit older over the age of 29 years old and you can compete there. And so I did it on the mark. I decided I'm going to give it a try. And my first pageant, I made top three, which was super exciting. And I have to say, I made a lot of really great women friends. It's really not kind of how you see it on like some of the movies where there's a lot of cast fighting. I made a lot of really good friends. But I think for me, part of what was important to me about pageantry was, yes, I did get to wear beautiful gowns,

1:14:21but as a pageant, when you are an advocate for something that's important to you. And so I used my crown as a megaphone, as I like to say, as my microphone. And I really wanted to put a different texture in people's minds about what someone who had experienced homelessness would be capable of. And so my platform as Miss Pennsylvania and as Miss Universe was talking about homelessness and the importance of education and the importance of having a successful social safety net that will allow people to become the best version of themselves. And so what I liked about it is I think when we're talking about women's history month, women were incredible. We can do a lot of different things at a lot of different times. And so I loved the fact that I was a beauty queen, but I was also going to work in practicing law. I also got an opportunity to be in rooms with lawmakers. And I live in Pennsylvania, so I'd go up to Harrisburg

1:15:21and get an opportunity to talk to them about what my experience with homelessness was and to try to influence legislation in terms of some of the funding that they might give to homeless children and to homeless shelters. So for me, it really felt like a full circle moment that I could use all of my different life experience. We're now talking about full circle. I mean, you have got such a strong belief in paying it forward. And I was going to ask you how does this play into your law practice, but you've already touched on that. Can you tell us a little bit more about how you work with community today? You know, you are well known, you are recognized. I mean, you graduated law school. I mean, it's kind of amazing when I think about this in just four years. You graduated law school. You got a Masters in Business Administration. You got a Masters in Law degree on taxation. And I so appreciate all that you've done. And I'm curious to know today, do you continue to pay it forward and do you continue to work to help the community?

1:16:21Absolutely. So I'm actually on the board. I've been on the board of the Homeless Advocacy Project. I just rolled off probably about a year and a half ago to finish my documentary. And we provide legal advice to people who are suffering from homelessness. And the board that I'm currently on, that I've been on for the last five years, is St. John's Haasus. And they provide housing to men and transgender people through the Catholic Charities. And they help them transition into long-term permanent housing. So for me, it's very important. I try to do advocacy kind of on multiple levels. So I like to share my story in rooms with people who maybe have an experienced homelessness themselves. But they're decision makers in terms of funding. But I also think it's really, really important for me to go and spend time in organizations that are providing these resources to people and need directly. I think it's important in a lot of different ways.

1:17:23But one is because sometimes the people we're dealing with, they have children of their own. And I think I've gotten really good feedback that it's important for them to see someone who experiences as a child that they can have a full fulfilling life because parents, they don't want that for their children. And they very much are concerned that their children aren't going to have a good outcome. And so I think for them, being able to have these conversations with me, I think helps to alleviate some of that worry. I also think that if you can see it, you believe that you can achieve it. And it's one thing for people to talk about it if you've never experienced it. Would you mind repeating that one more time if you can see it? Then I believe you can achieve it. Like if you see someone who's been through homelessness, who's like, look, I know what it's like to not know where you're going to sleep at night, where that next meal might come from, or not come from, changing schools, you know, on the regular. It makes a difference that I can say, look, I went through this and, you know, I'm going to give it to you straight.

1:18:24This isn't going to be easy, but if you are open to letting people help you and to accepting these resources, you can have a good outcome. I understand that not everyone's going to have the outcome that I did, but a lot of people can have self-sufficiency and really break generational poverty for their family if they get the right support. And I think everybody has their own version of the American dream and I just want to be someone who is an example. And a cheerleader for people who maybe sometimes don't believe in themselves because people did it for me. I mean, I fell out of college and if that family hadn't taken the end, I don't know that I would be a lawyer. So it's important. It certainly is. And you know, we just have to jump in and say we need to take a quick station break. So you're listening to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm De Nell Dadegan, and when we return, we'll continue our conversation with Ms. Universe and so much more Nicky Johnson, Alfano and the award-winning documentarians, Clara and Julia Cooperberg.

1:19:28Stay tuned to hear more from today's guest, sharing their personal stories and words of wisdom. We've got lots to talk about. The expectation and the norm is to win and that is what we will be able to do here. I believe in the power of UCLA. It's a new day for UCLA football with new head coach Bob Chesney taking charge and we need you to be a part of it. The right man is at the Hellman Westwood and the time is now for you to put your support behind the Bruins. UCLA football is ready to win and we can't wait to see you this fall. Visit UCLA Bruins.com slash tickets for more info on how to secure your seats for the 2026 season. Go Bruins! Welcome back. You're listening to Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. I'm De Nell Dadegan, and tonight we're thrilled to welcome back Ms. Universe and well-known tax attorney, Ms. Nikki Johnson Alphano and the award-winning documentarian specializing in those fascinating Hollywood stories. Old and new, Clara and Julia Cooperberg. Hi, Nikki. Hi, Clara. Hi, Julia.

1:20:29Hi. Well, now you're all together. Well, thank you all for joining us here on Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. We've just got a couple questions that I want to ask. So first of all, Nikki, as an entertaining professional and an attorney and a crowned Ms. Universe and Julia and Clara as documentarians, you've each worn so many different hats. What's the best advice someone gave you maybe earlier in your career that you continue to carry with you to this day? And why does it mean so much to you? What can you pass on? Well, Clara, tell us. Maybe our father used to tell us never take no for an answer. Yes, I like that. And don't get married as well. Julia? So Clara and Julia are sisters and your father must have been quite a man. Wow. Wow. You were funny. Okay, Nikki.

1:21:30What advice is it from your grandmother or? It's my grandmother gave me so much advice, but I would say someone gave me really great advice as a young lawyer. And they said it's not bragging if it's true. And I think it's really relevant to this conversation because the piece of advice the person was giving me was to not hide what I was doing under a bushel. Like, don't hide your light under a bushel because I think a lot of times women feel like they work hard and they want to do the right thing, they don't always feel like they're getting the attention that they deserve, and that I needed to be a little bit more proactive about talking about the things that I was doing and not in a braggadocious way, but in a way of just setting the stage for, this is what I do, this is what my skill set is, hey, you can use me. And I have to say, it really has made a difference in my career in terms about how I approach things. I'm very quick to let people know the things that I'm doing.

1:22:30So, actually, I am now a documentarian as well. And I've made a documentary about my life story and my parents called the Kihiki Three in Me and it just premiered at the Denton Black Film Festival January 31st. So, I would love to get some words of wisdom from your other guest too. Well, you will love it because these sisters have done 60 documentaries and they are award-winning. And the Cannes Film Festival has screened them. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has screened them. So, if anyone knows anything about documentaries, it is the two sisters Clara and Julia Cooperberg. So, let me ask the question to all of you. You are all successful professionals. What advice would you give to your younger self if you could now that you're here today? I would say to forgive myself that it's okay to fail and that it's more important to try. I think a lot of women that I know sometimes we try to be perfect and if we're not perfect,

1:23:30then we are hesitant to do it. And I've seen my male counterparts maybe they don't have it 100% and they will go out there and be wrong. They'll be loud and wrong in ways and a lot of times, honestly, they benefit from that. And so, I would say that one of the things I wish I could have said to myself earlier and I think I figured it out which is don't be afraid. I have all the skills that I needed to be able to be successful and that I'm going to learn a lesson even if I don't get the outcome that I want and that it's okay not to be perfect, but to keep moving on and that I was going to do something great one day and that's what my grandmother always told me. And when I failed out of college, I would hear her voice saying that to me and I don't know that I thought I was going to be great but it gave me enough of a belief in myself that I got up the next day and the next day and the next day. Wow. And now I have a career that I'm really proud of. Oh, yes, absolutely. Well, Cleha, tell me.

1:24:31I mean, because you are very cerebral and you think a lot because I've known you for years. I mean, tell me, I mean, if you could have that chance, what would you tell your younger self many years before? 20 years ago. With the experience you have today though. Yeah, maybe don't be afraid and stay yourself, you know? Be true. Yeah. Be proud to be yourself. Oh, I like that. That's enough. Yeah. Be yourself. That's enough. It's enough to be yourself. Yeah, I mean, getting older, I mean, you always think like, am I good enough? Am I career enough? And at one point I would say, I drop it. You know, just drop it. Just be yourself. That's it. That's enough. Absolutely. So I do want to ask this question because this segment, it's kind of wrapping up everything. So if you had a few words that you could pass on because it is women's history, maybe to a young girl who wanted to follow her dreams, what positive message can you share with our young people today?

1:25:32So Clara, what would you say? Stay yourself and be sure to be, it's not a bad thing to be a woman today. I see. You can be a woman and you can be tough. You can have some money. You can have some responsibilities. And it's okay. It's all good. Yes, yes. And Julia? I would say, study hard. I mean, don't take things for granted and study, read, watch movie. Cultivate yourself. Cultivate your mind. Like you've done. Like you've done. Don't rely on your physical appearance. rely on your inside always. That will give you the power you need at the end. I love it. Well, Nikki, you've done a little bit of each, so. How would you respond? I think that as women, I would say that there's nothing that we can't do. But I would also say, hold strong to what it is that is important to you. I think the thing that can be challenging for women is that people think

1:26:35that there's one way that we can be. It doesn't change the fact that I'm a really good lawyer. It doesn't change the fact that I was misuniverse. I don't find that there's a conflict in them. They were different parts of me and they met different needs at different times. And I would just say to young women, I'm going to tell you the same thing my grandmother told me after I'd been homeless on the street for a year. And I came off of a Greyhound bus to meet her. And she looked at me and she said, Nikki, you're fortunate enough to be born into a different America than America I was born into. What are you going to do with it? I don't know, those are powerful words. Yeah, and you know what, that's what I would say to young women. They are born into a different America than I was born into. And they have opportunities that I can dream of now. But I didn't necessarily think I had when I was a young woman and to not let anybody tell them what they can't do. And to think long and hard about what they really want their life to look like.

1:27:35And if they get it wrong, okay, do over. And you know, and I like that. And I just cannot get over how quickly the segment is going by. And this this evening's show has just come by in lightning speed. It's been a pleasure having Nikki Johnson Alphano, Clara and Julia Cooperberg. I mean, to have you all here on Hollywood's Hidden Treasures and our final moments together, please tell our listeners how they can follow you on your website, your social handle. Yeah, Wichita films that come. Wichita. Yes, like the Kansas. Like Kansas. Okay. All right. And Nikki, your website. Or you can find me on homelesstalloyer.com. So that's my website. And I am on Facebook and Instagram at Nikki Johnson Alphano or at Instagram, the letter N, J-O-H-N-S-O-N-A-L-F-A-N-O. And you can follow me and see what I'm doing in the community and also follow Mike on the Kihiki film.

1:28:35Fabulous. Well, I want to thank you ladies for joining us today. Nikki Johnson Alphano, Clara and Julia Cooperberg. It's been a real pleasure having you here today on Hollywood's Hidden Treasures. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Well, you know, I just love tonight's stories. Or Roger, what was your favorite story? Well, every woman that was on the show had great things to say. But I like the Cooperberg sisters because their dad told them not to take no for an answer. Isn't that fun? Yeah, I love that. That was great. Well, you know, before we sign off this evening, let's tell our listeners to visit the Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor. And how can they do that? What does come on down in person to 1616 North Island Avenue in Hollywood? Or you could follow us on social media at Hollywood Museum or the website, thehollywoodmuseum.com. We'll come visit the Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor building and see 10,000 real showbiz treasures showcasing more than 100 years of Hollywood entertainment from Hollywood's humble beginnings.

1:29:35Till today, you know, there's something for everyone at the Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor building. This evening on Hollywood's Hidden Treasures once again has just flown by. Tonight was amazing. I enjoyed hearing the personal stories from our friends. They were so enlightening and entertaining and filled with wisdom. So thank you to our guests Clara and Julia Cooperberg, Gloria Allred, Julie Numer, Frida Payne, and Nikki Johnson Alphano. And thank you to our listeners. You know, we all learned something new from our guests tonight. The award-winning and entertainment professionals celebrating women's history month and sharing their inspirational, personal, and professional stories. Thank you for joining us this evening. From all of us at Hollywood's Hidden Treasures, stay strong, stay safe, stay well. I've enjoyed my time with you and be sure to tune in next week to discover more of Hollywood's Hidden Treasures with me, Denille Datican, and some of Hollywood's finest.

1:30:36Right here on Talk Radio, 790K ABC. The expectation and the norm is to win, and that is what we will be able to do here. I believe in the power of UCLA. It's a new day for UCLA football with new head coach Bob Chesney taking charge and we need you to be a part of it. The right man is at the Hellman Westwood and the time is now for you to put your support behind the Bruins. UCLA football is ready to win, and we can't wait to see you this fall. Visit UCLABruins.com slash tickets for more info on how to secure your seats for the 2026 season. Go Bruins!