Sterling St. Jacques

Sterling Thomas Saint Jacques (1951

Adopted as a teenager by actor Raymond St. Jacques in the 1960s, St. Jacques began his career as a background dancer on the television series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In before pursuing modeling and acting. He became a prominent figure of the disco era, gaining recognition for his elegant dancing style and appearances at New York nightclubs including Regine's and Studio 54. He became known for dancing with celebrities and socialites and expanded his career into fashion and music. After relocating to Europe, he pursued a career as an Italo disco singer. His reported death from complications of HIV/AIDS has never been officially confirmed.

Early life and education Sterling Thomas Saint Jacques was born in a city outside Salt Lake City, Utah in 1951. He claimed to have never known his biological parents, which caused him to become rebellious, and he often ran away.

At age 15, he was adopted by actor Raymond St. Jacques, who was among the first African-American actors to portray a cowboy on television. At 15, he also appeared on the Kimbo the Clown television show. Raymond St. Jacques said that they influenced each other's style, noting that "there is no clothing generation gap in our family" and that they often wore the same shirts and coats. While abroad in Rome, he was photographed by Horst P. Horst in 1973. Variety praised him for his "good physical performance." Givenchy subsequently invited St. Jacques to model his menswear collection at a benefit show held at the Waldorf-Astoria in April 1976, telling him, "You are the only thing that can make it modern." During the presentation, St. Jacques performed several solo dances and partnered with the female models. He said that Givenchy was his business manager and used him as a "mascot" for the benefit, believing that he represented "perfect health and vigor." His appearance caused a sensation, particularly among wealthy high society women, who clamored to dance with him at discotheques such as Regine's. That year, St. Jacques told Sepia magazine that he and Onassis were "the closest of friends" and that he gave her private dancing lessons. They appeared on the television program Soul Train and performed at the Lincoln Center for a benefit. They also appeared nude in the Broadway musical Let My People Come at the Morosco Theater, which closed after 108 performances, all of them previews. St. Jacques and Cleveland were part of fashion designer Halston's entourage and traveled with him in 1977 as models while he presented his resort collection in nine cities across the United States. They also appeared as dancers in the 1978 musical fantasy film The Wiz, in the Emerald City Citizens dance sequence. As part of the film's promotion, they demonstrated dance steps and costumes from the film at the John Wanamaker Store in Philadelphia.

In May 1978, St. Jacques launched a singing career at a disco party hosted by Razor Mills-Hoechst Fibers at Doubles in New York City. He described his musical style as "disco-jazz" and announced plans to launch a clothing line for both men and women.

In the late 1970s, St. Jacques was a staple at the New York nightclub Studio 54. He was often photographed dancing with celebrities and socialites such as Bianca Jagger, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, and Caroline Kennedy. His social circle also included Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell, Pop artist Andy Warhol, and fashion designer Halston who were regulars at the nightclub. Reportedly, St. Jacques inspired the 1979 hit song "He's the Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge.

Later career In the early 1980s, St. Jacques moved to Europe, where he found moderate success as an Italo disco singer. In 1981, he participated in the Sanremo Festival with the song with song "Tutto è Blu." Although a journalist remarked that he sang out of tune, St. Jacques was noted for his impressive physique, and he believed that his dancing, passion, and dedication to maintaining his body made him a complete artist. He subsequently faded from public view, and little is known about his later career. In a 1988 interview, his father said that St. Jacques had a television show in Düsseldorf, West Germany. St. Jacques said it was a case of "a woman scorned."

Death According to his former fiancée, Pat Cleveland, St. Jacques died of complications from HIV/AIDS in 1984. However, his death was never officially confirmed. In a 1988 interview with the Chicago Tribune, his father, Raymond St. Jacques, stated that he was in Düsseldorf. In 1991, Jet magazine reported that St. Jacques had been left "the sum of $1.00" in his father's will, which had been stipulated in October 1988. He died in July 1992.

Discography Albums

1980: Sterling Saint Jacques (Dig-It International Records – PL 3023)

Singles

1980: "Again" / "I'm A Star" (Dig-It International Records – DG NP 1201) 1980: "Muscle Man" / "Rock Blue" (Dig-It International Records – PL/PROM 3024) 1981: "Tutto È Blu (Blue)" / "Turn Me On" (Dig-It International Records – DG 1205) 1981: "Des Mots Pour Toi" / "Manhattan Man" (Polydor – 2056905) 1983: "Comin, Into Love" (Papillon Records – MRP 4002) 1984: "Mister Moonlight" (Airport – ITF 362)