The life and legacy of Candy Darling, the iconic muse of Andy Warhol, is being brought to light once again, fifty years after her untimely passing at the age of 29. Born as Jimmy Slattery in Massapequa, Long Island, Candy Darling is finally receiving the recognition she rightfully deserves.
A comprehensive 418-page biography titled “Candy Darling: Dreamer, Icon, Superstar” by Cynthia Carr delves into the complexities of Darling’s life. It portrays Candy as the epitome of beauty and grace, existing in a world that was never truly accepting of her. Darling defied societal norms and faced the harsh reality of being a gender nonconforming individual in an era where such terms were nonexistent, and individuals were unjustly branded with slurs.
Tragically, Candy Darling’s life came to an end in 1974, leaving her in a state of poverty and poor dental health, succumbing to lymphoma, a disease believed to have been caused by the carcinogenic female hormones she had been consuming. It is through Carr’s biography that the poignant story of Candy Darling’s life is resurrected, shedding light on her tribulations and triumphs.
Growing up in Massapequa, Candy faced the challenges of being part of a dysfunctional family, with a mother who was ashamed of her and a father filled with anger. Seeking solace from the loneliness and repression, she emulated the elegance of Hollywood icons such as Lana Turner and Kim Novak.
Carr’s depiction of Candy’s journey paints a picture of her eventual escape to the city, where she underwent a transformative experience, adopting the name Candy Darling and gracing the Off-Off-Broadway stage, chosen for her feminine allure, reminiscent of Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn.
During her struggle to make ends meet, Candy endured periods of financial hardship, often finding herself destitute and hungry, leading her to resort to engaging in solicitation for monetary gain. Carr reveals the hardships Candy faced, including her resourcefulness in carrying Tampax in her purse to deceive clients by feigning menstruation and restricting the nature of her services.
It was under the wing of the renowned artist and entrepreneur Andy Warhol that Candy Darling found her rise to stardom, making her mark in Warhol’s avant-garde films “Flesh” and “Women in Revolt.” Subsequently, she became a central figure in the vibrant downtown scene, mingling with prominent personalities of the era, including Sylvia Miles, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda, with whom she reportedly had a brief yet hurtful affair following Fonda’s split from her director husband, Roger Vadim.
In her final diary entries, Candy Darling poignantly expressed her yearning for affection, articulating her simple desire for love and a tranquil life in the suburbs, a poignant reminder of the human longing for acceptance and normalcy.
Cynthia Carr’s biography unveils not only the glamour and allure surrounding Candy Darling but also portrays the vulnerabilities and genuine desires of a woman who wished for nothing more than to be embraced and cherished.
The life and legacy of Candy Darling serves as a significant reminder of the importance of acceptance, love, and understanding in a world where individuals continue to grapple with societal perceptions and stereotypes. Through Carr’s poignant portrayal, the enigmatic figure of Candy Darling is immortalized, ensuring that her story will not be forgotten.