In this profoundly moving and beautifully written memoir, the award-winning actor and activist provides an intimate view into both her public and private worlds as she chronicles her life's journey thus far, sharing how she discovered her truest self and, with it, a deeper sense of belonging.

"It was supposed to be the highlight of her career, the pinnacle for which she'd worked all her life. And as Hattie McDaniel took the stage in 1940 to claim an honor that would make her the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award, she tearfully took her place in history. Between personal triumphs and tragedies, heartbreaking losses, and severe setbacks, this historic night of winning best supporting actress for her role as the sassy Mammy...

With her success riding on her ability to keep her real identity secret, Zillah, an orphan from the slums of London who has achieved theatrical fame as The Great Amazonia, "a savage queen from darkest Africa," finds her planning upended when she is torn between two men--a mysterious black gentleman and her boss's friend who offers her the world.