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JET 'Beauty Of The Week': Magazine Will Host First-Ever Open Call For Competition (PHOTOS)

Posted: 05/10/2012 8:33 am Updated: 05/10/2012 3:03 pm

Jet Beauty Of The Week

For more than 60 years JET magazine's "Beauty of The Week" page has served as a weekly snapshot promoting and supporting the message that black is beautiful.

Admiring these gorgeous women of color has definitely become a pastime. And once you're able to peel your eyes away from their fantastic physiques clad in cheeky swimwear, their bios reveal there is plenty of talent, personality and brains to go with those curves.

So it's no surprise that thousands of women have vied for the chance to be spotlighted on the page. And until now, the only way to do so was by submitting an application and photos to the magazine via the mail or the Internet.

But for the first time in history, JET is hosting an open casting call to fill the historic page with a new generation of beauties. This weekend in Atlanta, Ga., aspiring women (over the age of 18) will get the chance to show JET what they've got...in person.

JET's editor-in-chief, Mitzi Miller, will host the event with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star and model Cynthia Bailey in hopes of finding women who "embody the look and spirit of the 'Beauty Of The Week.'"

A male point of view will come courtesy of the special celebrity guest Q Parker -- a singer formally of the R&B group 112.

The B.O.W. franchise remains one of the most popular sections of the magazine, so there is no shortage of submissions. Miller said she is excited for the opportunity to get in touch with her readers.

"We're not hosting an open call because we need more 'Beauty Of The Weeks' -- we're having an open call because we want to reach out to our readers and I want them to be aware of how JET is changing," Miller told The Huffington Post. "It's not becoming something that is unfamiliar, we're just stepping up our game and modernizing it -- so we're looking for today's beauties."

As for some past beauties -- several have gone on to become big celebrities, like "Foxy Brown" actress Pam Grier and Band of Gold singer Freda Payne.

This weekend hopefuls are asked to bring a headshot and wear a bikini. That's right, the streets are about to be filled with scantily clad ladies. Looks like Hot-lanta is about to get even hotter!

But we're confident JET will be able to pull off a classy event. For more information, head over to the JET website.

Check out the slideshow below for a look at a few stunning "Beauty of the Week" ladies from past to present.

Loading Slideshow...
  • Sept. 12, 1963: Freda Payne

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • Sept. 16, 1965: Velma Ann Ivory

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • 1966: Janet Langhart

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • Freda Payne, Florence LaRue and Marilyn McCoo

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • Jennie Bell and Brenda Sykes

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • 1971: Pam Grier (lower right hand corner)

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • Sept. 7, 1978: Dora Derrico

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • Ramona Braganza

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • Jan. 3. 1980: Christina Clements

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • July 7, 2008: Marshun Record

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • April 2, 2012: Kenise Taylor

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • April 30, 2012: Jenna Burks

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

  • May 14, 2012: Truchard Montez

    (Photo courtesy of JET)

FOLLOW BLACK VOICES

For more than 60 years JET magazine's "Beauty of The Week" page has served as a weekly snapshot promoting and supporting the message that black is beautiful. Admiring these gorgeous women of color...
For more than 60 years JET magazine's "Beauty of The Week" page has served as a weekly snapshot promoting and supporting the message that black is beautiful. Admiring these gorgeous women of color...
 
 
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LordByron13
If you're posting here, thank a TEACHER.
07:38 PM on 05/14/2012
There's a problem with the slideshow...I couldn't give Truchard Montez 6 stars...gott dzzzamn!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
parisnoire
I love my mysterious lady parts...
10:01 AM on 05/12/2012
I understand the historical importance of both Jet, and those images. They served an importance purpose back in the day, and one our youth needs to reminded about today as well: that we are beautiful in all our guises. However, I think it is way past time to retire that segment.

Actually, I have looked at that "magazine" over the years (yup, parents still get it!) and it is just consistently poorly written, researched, and executed. I think it is way past time to retire Jet Magazine.

Just my opinion.
08:55 AM on 05/12/2012
How beautiful and classy were those women in the 60's and 70's? Tons of sex appeal without looking trashy: bottom covered, top covered, personality shining through. Then you get to the 2000's and boom! teeny tiny suits and implants. Gimme some Freda Payne and that Band of Gold any day!
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one1byke
Easy no Man.
08:49 AM on 05/12/2012
Jet magazine!

...the best reason to go to the barbershop back in the day!
09:42 PM on 05/11/2012
I so looked forward to the Jet beauty of the week when I was a kid that I still instinctively turn to page 43 everytime I come across a Jet magazine!
WhatevaCleva
Love, Peace...and Soul!
12:17 AM on 05/12/2012
LOL! You and my husband.
12:41 AM on 05/12/2012
I'm aware that knowing the page indicates the level of my problem and I'm working on it but Jet comes out every week.  That makes it very difficult for me:-)
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timskee
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em
05:14 PM on 05/11/2012
Man, I miss those huge afro's of the 70s and early 80s. The black guys in the military would load up their hair with afro-sheen, then they would use a woman's stocking, cut off the foot and wear it on their heads so their hair would be short enough for the military. Then when off duty, they would wash there hair and pick their hair and they would end up with a pretty decent afro. That is the last I had ever seen a fro. So they went from huge heads to shaving their heads.
08:52 AM on 05/12/2012
Not everyone gave it up. I live in a Black neighborhood in LA and there are some great fros going on. Men and women!
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timskee
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em
12:19 PM on 05/12/2012
I'm surprised DonnaAnn, I live 75 miles from NYC and occasionally I go to Long Island via NYC. I have not seen any fro's and as I said, I haven't seen one since being in the service, stationed at Ft. Bliss ( El Paso ) I have seen them in the movies though. One of my favorite movies, Undercover Brother, had some fro's going on in that flick.Another of my favorite movies, Coming To America, when the Jerry-curl family was sitting on the couch then all three of them got up and the couch was stained from the Jerry-curl in their hair. But no, I haven't seen one fro here on the east coast, but I do hope they come back. I'm amazed by the size of some and wonder how they get them so concentric. I also wonder how much of their time goes into getting their hair done everyday and night and keeping their hair maintained.
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05:06 PM on 05/11/2012
The first page you flip to in JET magazine ...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jhightiger
02:00 PM on 05/11/2012
All different body types. Beautiful Women.
12:21 PM on 05/11/2012
Jet's time has passed. Irrelevant now.... we have a Black president.
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05:10 PM on 05/11/2012
Yes, we do. But with that has come a major backlash. There is always room for a publication representing the underrepresented. Although JET always did have a "Who's Who" element I never cared for.
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moionfire
07:24 PM on 05/11/2012
No it is not irrelevant. Black people are still marginalized in mainstream press. Especially black women who are not mixed or light skinned.
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clazzigirl
I'm sweet like sugarvenom.
10:41 AM on 05/11/2012
Now THAT is how a woman's body should look! Classy, curvy, and beautiful. Here's to hoping that America can take a page from this magazine and move on from the pre-pubescent-skeleton-body look that's in, and go back to women with curves like these.
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KittyKatz45
Release the Krakan!
10:17 AM on 05/11/2012
Now THAT'S what a real woman looks like! Curves, curves and more curves. Absolutely beautiful!!
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stevestrange
Let me think about it..See what happens.
10:04 AM on 05/11/2012
A staple of every black barber shop I've ever been in....I admire these ladies while waiting to get a cut.
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DanJake
Just another all-American blend
09:55 AM on 05/11/2012
I have to admit that during my youth in the 1960's, I would first open my copy of Jet magazine to the center to admire the "Beauty of the Week" and then start reading other articles that caught my interest. Yes, this article does bring back some memories.
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To Know Me Is To Love Me
America Died, 2012
08:22 AM on 05/11/2012
They're all stunningly beautiful but NOT just because they are part Black. As long as the media uses segregation as a tool to divide Americans there will be tension among us! As long as the Left has a manufactured victim there will be finger pointing.
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sejoseph
Unbought and Unbossed
08:59 AM on 05/11/2012
You do realize that Jet started this tradition when blacks were not photographed in white publications? Learn some history or all you will ever do is spout idiotic drool.
02:24 PM on 05/12/2012
I didn't take what To Know Me Is to Love Me wrote the way you took it at all. I didn't think s/he meant that regarding years ago, but regarding the way things are now. I agree that now the media does use race as a tool to divide us and cause problems where none existed. Yes, Jet has been around 60 years and was so necessary then. But now, the media does divide us.
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To Know Me Is To Love Me
America Died, 2012
08:39 AM on 05/13/2012
se, You're as bad as the Liberal media about segregation, "blacks were not photographed in white publications". WHITE publications? How about American publications? se, the great divider and simplistic progressive thinker!
12:37 PM on 05/12/2012
Tell that to FHM and Cosmo.

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Michael Steaphens
It's all about liberty.
02:25 AM on 05/11/2012
Numbers 10 and 13 do it for me!
10:17 AM on 05/11/2012
10 for sure
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Michael Steaphens
It's all about liberty.
02:16 PM on 05/11/2012
Hell,I'm not too picky...you could send any of them my way!
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one1byke
Easy no Man.
08:50 AM on 05/12/2012
Lord.