in my opinion, among the most stunning and attractive ladies to ever appear on television.
Underrated genius
In a riveting 1972 interview on The Dick Cavett Show, Welch’s classic elegance and charm are made abundantly evident. She was about thirty-two years old and exuded charm as she sat down in the chair across from Dick Cavett.
A master of his trade, the American television host hosted The Dick Cavett Show from 1968 to 1988. His interviews with filmmakers Welles, Hitchcock, De Palma, and Scorsese were like film school seminars, and he was an exceptionally skilled interviewer.
Raquel Welch, August 2, 1972, on The Dick Cavett Show.
Posted by Killer Cosmonaut on Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Cavett was a master at putting his guests at ease and eliciting interesting and meaningful dialogues. Beyond her well-known appearance, this particular interview revealed aspects about Raquel that I was unaware of.
Broke her wrist
Her appearance on The Dick Cavett Show served to promote Welch’s most recent movie, Kansas City Bomber.
She played roller derby skater K.C. Carr in the film, a woman attempting to strike a balance between her aspirations for fame and her yearning for a fulfilling personal life.
Raquel herself claims that she did the most of her own stunts, which had a negative impact on her, and the movie included many intense scenes from the matches.
Raquel added that in order to play the part, she had to learn how to skate from scratch. The fact that the professional skaters in the movie were skating on a track with banked turns at a 45-degree incline increased the difficulty.
She broke her wrist one day while rehearsing, which caused the production to halt filming for around eight weeks.
”I had a lot of aches and pains for a long time,” Welch admitted.
Recognize the dress?
Those with good eyes may remember Welch’s gorgeous blue outfit from the Cavett interview. She actually wore the same famous dress at the Oscars only a few months prior. What a striking piece of fashion!
Raquel was a pioneer in recycling, and she reused more than just her Oscar gown. When Elizabeth Taylor celebrated her 40th birthday in Budapest in 1972, she wore the same gorgeous dress that she wore to the Godfather’s premiere.
Who knew that long before the term became popular, Raquel was such a trendsetter?
By the way, did you realize that Welch’s personal style and her public appearance attire differed greatly? The audience always looked to her to live up to her gorgeous persona, and she did it perfectly. However, Welch favored comfy clothing and basic pantsuits when she wasn’t on the red carpet.
Humorous anecdote
Welch has been hailed as a sex icon for decades, with a lot of attention being paid to her gorgeous body. Few people, however, have had the chance to hear her talk openly, particularly on thought-provoking subjects that show her depth beyond the famous persona.
The One Million Years B.C. actress talked candidly about the discrepancy between her dazzling on-screen persona and her actual experiences during her interview on The Dick Cavett Show. Her public persona and the demands made on her as a female performer in a male-dominated field were discussed.
Raquel recalled an intriguing press conference with sports writers and related a funny story from her time promoting the Kansas City Bomber.
“I had a really interesting press conference when I first came into town to promote the film with all the sports writers. And they said, gee, you know, you’re a nice-sized lady and all that, but you’re not exactly what I expected. And I said, I know I always seem to disappoint people if I walk in the door and the door hinges don’t splinter off, that type of come in with a machete or something.”
When they first met her, some people were surprised by her short stature—she was only 5 feet 512 inches tall, with broad shoulders and a flawless olive complexion to match her diminutive frame.
Dick Cavett then chimes in, adding: “I know people walked in and they looked at you and their reaction was, there’s an attractive woman. But a number of them did not know it was you and they’d seen you on the screen.”
”Downright intoxicating”
Many viewers who have since viewed the interview—which is available on YouTube—have praised Raquel Welch’s incredible voice. Since her beautiful photos and posters have received so much attention over the years, it appears that some people have forgotten about it.
“She becomes even more attractive when she speaks, downright intoxicating!” wrote one YouTube commenter.
“I love the way she speaks; there is something unique and also time-stamped about it,” a second commenter said.
Another viewer noted: ”Raquel was not only stunning to look at; she had a wonderful voice and a captivating way of speaking.”
This particular element serves as a reminder that Raquel’s appeal extended beyond her appearance; her voice gave her a fascinating quality that fans still find endearing.
She spoke so clearly and articulately!
Why was Raquel Welch so down-to-earth
Raquel Welch described herself as a product of middle-class America. She inherited her last name from a teenage marriage and her first name from a grandmother who lived in Bolivia.
She never forgot her roots and always kept one foot in the part of society not surrounded by the glitz and splendor of Hollywood.
”I’m pragmatic, but not without dreams of the things ideally should be,” she once said.
In her personal life, Welch frequently wore loose-fitting sweaters and traditional blue trousers with minimal eye makeup. She had a tenderness and sweetness that made her feel approachable despite her enormous reputation.
Welch came across as extraordinarily kind, compassionate, and grounded in her previously stated conversation with Dick Cavett.
Suffered from Alzheimer’s disease
Without a doubt, Welch was among the most stunning and beautiful ladies to ever appear on television. With all of her surgery, Kim Kardashian could never aspire to match her beauty.
We should be thankful to have witnessed Raquel’s genius since she was genuinely something exceptional. She tragically died at the age of 82 from heart arrest at her Los Angeles home on February 15, 2023. She was also battling Alzheimer’s disease at the time of her death.
However, let’s honor this wonderful woman by remembering her incredible interview with Dick Cavett, which took place at the height of Raquel Welch’s career. If you were a fan of Raquel Welch, tell others about it!
