In July 1974, three of entertainment’s most recognized Black women came together poolside in Los Angeles for a photo shoot that would land them on the cover of JET magazine. Eartha Kitt, Jayne Kennedy, and Freda Payne posed in bikinis under the California sun, and the resulting images became some of the most talked-about photographs of that era.
JET was not just a celebrity gossip outlet. Founded in 1951, it was a weekly pocket-sized magazine that served as a cultural cornerstone for Black Americans. Its covers were a big deal — a stamp of cultural relevance. Landing all three women together on one cover was a statement in itself.
Eartha Kitt wore an orange bikini during the shoot. By 1974, Kitt was already a legend. She had built a career spanning singing, acting, and stage performance going back to the late 1940s. Her voice and stage presence were widely considered unmatched, and she remained a commanding figure in entertainment well into the ’70s.
Jayne Kennedy wore black. At the time, Kennedy was one of the most visible Black women on American television. She had been crowned Miss Ohio USA in 1970 and quickly transitioned into acting and broadcasting. Her career in sports broadcasting, in particular, broke new ground for Black women in that field.
Freda Payne came to the shoot in a yellow bikini. Payne had scored a massive hit in 1970 with “Band of Gold,” which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in the UK. By 1974, she had a string of additional releases and remained a well-known name in soul and R&B circles.
The three women brought different shades, body types, and career backgrounds to the same frame. The shoot highlighted the range of Black beauty at a time when mainstream American media rarely made room for it. JET consistently filled that gap, and this cover was one of its most memorable efforts.
Payne’s physique drew particular attention during the shoot — her defined abs were a standout detail that photographers and viewers alike noted. All three women were in their prime, and the Los Angeles poolside setting gave the images a relaxed, confident energy that felt distinct from more formal celebrity portraits of the time.
