top of page
Search

119: Eye of the Beholder pt.2: Whiskers on Women


Love looks different for everyone, and for some men and women it can be a bit hairy. This week, Maia shares the fascinating history of "bearded ladies". Women born with an unusually large amount of facial and body hair - specifically Annie Jones (the inspiration for The Greatest Showman's Lettie Lutz) and Percilla Bejano. They captivated audiences while touring the country in traveling circuses and these women often found fame and love thanks to the... Whiskers on Women. This week, on Well, I Laughed!


Chapters

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:25:35 Whiskers on Women

00:36:24 Annie Jones

00:41:04 The Kidnapping

00:51:14 Growing Up

01:01:57 Legacy

01:14:09 Women in the Circus

01:17:14 The Science

01:27:32 Other Bearded Ladies

01:40:08 Percilla Bejano

01:47:48 Further Research

01:48:41 'Esau Lady" and Final Thoughts


Photos Referenced

  • Annie Jones as child
    Annie Jones as child
  • Annie Jones as a youth - courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
  • Annie Jones poster
  • Annie Jones Cabinet Card
    Annie Jones Cabinet Card
  • Chicago Tribune article from Sep 22, 1895 Pg 33 - courtesy of Chicago Tribune
    Chicago Tribune article from Sep 22, 1895 Pg 33 - courtesy of Chicago Tribune
  • Stephan Bibrowski "Lionel the Lion Faces Man" - courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
  • Percilla and Emmitt Bejano - courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
  • Percilla and Emmitt Bejano when they were older - courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Further Research


Current Bearded Ladies Performing (as of recording in Aug 2025)


Sources


Misc


Comments

bottom of page