Without a doubt, one of the most stunning ladies to have ever lived is Raquel Welch. But few have truly heard her speak from the heart because so much attention has been paid to her appearance and acting career.
That’s why I was drawn to a startling detail when I happened upon her appearance on The Dick Cavett Show.
Let’s first take a moment to recognize how gorgeous and sophisticated Raquel Welch was during the beginning of the 1970s. Her natural hair color, no Botox, no hair extensions, and not a single tattoo. She was intelligent, lots of charm, and had a good physique. I think Welch is one of the most stunning, attractive women to have ever graced our screens.
Underappreciated brilliance
Welch’s classic beauty and grace are made abundantly evident in a riveting 1972 interview on The Dick Cavett Show. She looked like a charmer, around thirty-two, and sat down on the chair across from Dick Cavett.
The American television host was a master of his trade, leading The Dick Cavett Show from 1968 to 1988. Film school lessons might be learned via his masterful interviews with film makers, including De Palma, Scorsese, Hitchcock, and Welles.
Cavett was a natural at putting his guests at ease and eliciting intelligent, interesting dialogue. This specific interview revealed aspects of Raquel beyond her well-known appearance that I was unaware of, presenting her in a way that many had never seen.
fractured her wrist
Welch attended The Dick Cavett Show in part to promote Kansas City Bomber, her most recent movie.
She played roller derby skater K.C. Carr in the film, a lady attempting to strike a balance between her aspirations for fame and a happy personal life.
There were many dramatic moments from the matches in the movie, and Raquel said that she carried out the majority of her own stunts, which was taxing on her.
Raquel said that in order to play the part, she had to start from scratch learning how to skate. The track that the professional skaters in the movie utilized included 45-degree banked turns, which made it much more difficult.
She broke her wrist training one day, which meant that the production had to put off filming for almost eight weeks.
Welch acknowledged, “I had a lot of aches and pains for a long time.”
Do you recognize the dress?
Those with good vision may be able to identify Welch’s gorgeous blue gown from the Cavett interview. Indeed, it’s the very same legendary dress that she wore to the Oscars a few months prior. What a statement in fashion!
Raquel was a pioneer in recycling, and she didn’t just use her Oscars gown for new purposes. She wore the same exquisite attire to the Godfather movie premiere as she did to Elizabeth Taylor’s 40th birthday celebration in Budapest in 1972.
Who would have thought Raquel, long before it was a catchphrase, was such a trendsetter?
Did you know, by the way, that Welch’s public appearance attire differed greatly from her personal style? The audience always looked on her to live up to her glitzy image, and she did so admirably. But Welch liked to dress comfortably and in simple pantsuits when she wasn’t on the red carpet.
A humorous story
Welch has been hailed as a sex icon for decades, with much of the attention being directed toward her amazing body. However, not many have had the chance to hear her talk openly, particularly on thought-provoking subjects that showcase her complexity beyond the well-known persona.
The One Million Years B.C. star talked candidly about the differences between her glitzy on-screen persona and her experiences in real life when she appeared on The Dick Cavett Show. The topic of her public persona and the expectations put on her as a female actor in a male-dominated field of sports were discussed.
Raquel recalled an intriguing press meeting with sports reporters and related an amusing incident from her time promoting Kansas City Bomber.
When I initially arrived in town to promote the movie, I had a really fascinating press conference with all the sports reporters. They said, “You’re not quite what I expected, even though you’re a nice-sized lady and everything.” I replied, “I realize I always seem to let people down if I enter a room and the doorknobs don’t break off—that kind of come in with a machete or something.”
When they first saw her, some were taken aback by her size. She stood at a mere 5 feet 5½ inches tall, with a small-boned frame that was tastefully contrasted with broad shoulders and immaculate olive complexion.
Following up, Dick Cavett says, “I know people came in and they looked at you and their reaction was, there’s an attractive woman.” However, some of them had only seen you on the TV and were unaware that it was you.
“Absolutely intoxicating”
Raquel Welch has an amazing voice, as noted by many viewers of the later, YouTube-available interview. With all of the attention that her gorgeous photos and posters have received over the years, it appears that some people have forgotten about it.
“She becomes even more attractive when she speaks, downright intoxicating!” exclaimed one YouTube commenter.
“I love the way she speaks; there is something unique and also time-stamped about it,” a second commenter said.
“Raquel was not only stunning to look at; she had a wonderful voice and a captivating way of speaking,” observed another viewer.
This particular element serves as a reminder that Raquel’s attraction extended beyond her appearance; her voice gave her charm an alluring edge that still strikes a chord with viewers.
She spoke with such clarity and fluency!
What made Raquel Welch seem so grounded?
Raquel Welch saw herself as a product of middle-class America. Her last name came from a teenage marriage and her first name was inherited from a grandmother who lived in Bolivia.
She never lost sight of her origins and continued to participate in society outside of Hollywood’s glamor and gloss.
She once remarked, “I’m pragmatic, but not without dreams of the things that ideally should be.”
In her personal life, Welch was frequently spotted sporting basic blue jeans and easy-to-fit sweaters with a hint of makeup on her eyes. She exuded a kindness and softness that made her seem approachable even with her enormous celebrity.
Welch struck Dick Cavett at that previously mentioned interview as exceedingly kind, polite, and grounded.
experienced Alzheimer’s illness
Unquestionably, one of the most amazing and stunning women to ever grace our screens was Welch. With all of her operations, Kim Kardashian could never match this beauty.
We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to witness Raquel’s extraordinary brilliance. Sadly, on February 15, 2023, at her Los Angeles home, she tragically died of cardiac arrest at the age of 82. She was also battling Alzheimer’s at the time of her passing.
However, let’s honor this wonderful woman by recalling her incredible interview with Dick Cavett, which took place during the height of Raquel Welch’s professional success. If you also adored Raquel Welch, please share this tale!
