Bethann Hardison Instagram – A few days ago I learned of the passing of Raquel Welch.
I want to share the great respect I had for Raquel because of the respect and trust she had in me.
Raquel (who I later called Rockie) wanted to have representation for her daughter Tahnee. Someone she knew told her about me. I was working at the agency Click Models. I was asked to come to dinner to be introduce to Tahnee. It was mutual admiration immediately. I introduced Tahnee to the agency. Of course she was desired, it was the daughter of Raquel Welch and she was pretty to boot. It was not so much to model per se but to act.
I believed sincerely of the possibility even though we were basically a model agency, I truly dreamed of the silver screen of film.
When I left Click to start my own agency, Tahnee was the only talent that had come to Click agency because of me.
Tahnee saw it that way as did Raquel.
They both supported me and had no other connection to the agency. Tahnee was called and was begged to remain at Click. She had no problem saying no.
It was interesting to me how supportive they both were when I had nothing but the opportunity to go my on way. I was not established but it was meant. Tahnee was not in a hurry as she was not a working model per se. Soon after, Racquel got a call from Italy of a film interest in Tahnee, she called me. This was my interest.
Tahnee and I were flown to Italy to meet the production company. She remained to do the film and I came back to New York to set up the company and find an office. Which I did all because I was given purpose by Tahnee and Racquel. Tahnee believed in me as did Racquel. Often times I would wonder why ? A Black young woman, with barely a pot to piss in, stuck in a situation where I had to prove myself, at the time with no financial support, just their belief that I could do it carried me through. Tahnee was my first and only talent, while she made her first movie, I was able to start Bethann Management due to my model Bonnie Berman who waited in the wings and found us the money.
Women..just never count us out.
May your spirit soar high Rockie …RIP.
#neverforget #racquelwelch
2nd foto is Tahnee during the agency. | Posted on 19/Feb/2023 20:24:42
