The Real Inspiration And Evolution Of The Betty Boop Cartoon

Baby Esther Gets Credit, But People Are Still Confused

So after a long and arduous battle in the courts, Baby Esther finally received the accreditation she deserved. An otherwise unknown artist created a legacy that has withstood time. Many were surprised to find that Betty Boop was in fact inspired by a black jazz artist, despite that she herself was obviously not black. Jazz studies scholar Robert O’Meally may have said it best when he made the statement that Baby Esther was Betty Boop’s “black grandmother.”

The trial wouldn’t be the last time someone would confuse the true inspiration behind Betty Boop.