Anita Bryant, known for her singing and controversial anti-gay activism, passed away on December 16 in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Deadline reported that Bryant's life encompassed a high-profile entertainment career and later a polarizing stance on gay rights. Born on March 25, 1940, in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, Bryant grew up in a deeply religious family.
By just 12 years old, she had started her television show, showcasing her singing talent early in life. At 18, she continued her rise to fame by winning the Miss Oklahoma beauty pageant.
Anita's beauty pageant win led to appearances on prominent TV shows like the variety shows hosted by Arthur Godfrey and Dick Clark's American Bandstand. It was during the 1950s and 1960s that she also enjoyed a successful singing career, with hits including “Paper Roses” and “In My Little Corner of the World.” These songs secured her a spot in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
In addition to her music career, Bryant became a regular performer on Bob Hope’s holiday tours and made notable appearances at esteemed venues. Her patriotic performances included singing at the White House during President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration and at his graveside service.
Her versatility and widespread appeal even brought her to perform at both the Republican and Democratic national conventions in 1968, further cementing her status in the entertainment industry.
By 1969, Bryant had become the spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission. She was crucial in popularizing the “Orange Bird” character and the jingle “Come to the Florida Sunshine Tree.” Her involvement in the Super Bowl performance in 1971 and as a cohost for the Orange Bowl Parade for nine years are highlights of her commercial success.
However, Bryant's prominence took a pivotal turn in 1977 when she led a campaign against a Dade County ordinance that sought to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
This campaign led to the ordinance's repeal, signaling a major shift in her public reception and marking the beginning of her career's decline.
The backlash was swift and severe, with significant boycotts against products she endorsed. Bryant became a controversial figure almost overnight, leading to a pie being thrown in her face during a television appearance in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1977, an incident that became emblematic of the public's division over her actions.
Following her anti-gay rights campaigning, Bryant's career in show business declined drastically. By the late 1990s, she faced personal and financial upheavals, culminating in bankruptcy. Despite these challenges, Bryant tried to rebuild her life around her religious beliefs.
In 2006, she founded Anita Bryant Ministries International in Oklahoma City, which aimed to continue her advocacy work through a religious framework. Yet, her earlier stances cast long shadows over her later life and efforts.
Anita Bryant’s death was reported in The Oklahoman, though no cause of death was revealed. She leaves behind a legacy complicated by her dual identity as a once-beloved entertainer and a divisive activist.
Bryant is survived by her family, including four children, two stepdaughters, and seven grandchildren. From her early days as a child star to her role as a champion for contentious causes, Bryant's life offers insights into the intersections of entertainment, politics, and personal belief systems.