Billie Jean King made historical past Monday as the primary lady to obtain a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame within the newly established sports activities leisure class. She was accompanied by mates Magic Johnson and Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis.
“The important thing is, I don’t want to be the last one,” the tennis Hall of Famer advised the cheering crowd.
King’s star, the two,807th on the Walk of Fame, is positioned close to the enduring intersection of Hollywood and Vine, throughout from the historic Pantages Theatre. The digital marquee proudly learn, “A star for a star. Congratulations Billie Jean King.”
Fans lined the sidewalk outdoors a close-by dumpling store, whereas visitors buzzed by with honking horns and celeb tour buses cruising alongside the bustling Hollywood Boulevard. King’s spouse, Ilana Kloss, was additionally available, capturing the second alongside a swarm of photographers.
“You always fight for what’s right,” Johnson told King above the din. “You lend your platform and your voice and your time and your cash to result in change.”
Johnson, like King, is a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who had been honored on the White House earlier Monday for successful the 2024 World Series.
“We’re just alike,” he said. “We’re tremendous aggressive as hell, we’re management freaks as a result of we all know that should you put it in our palms, we’ll win. You’ve been a winner your entire life, you’re keen on to assist individuals, and final however not least, you at all times stand for what’s proper.”
The ceremony reunited King with gamers Rosie Casals and Julie Anthony from the earliest days of the WTA Tour, in addition to the tour’s retired athletic coach, Connie Spooner. Also attending had been five-time main champion Maria Sharapova and Stacey Allaster, former WTA CEO and present U.S. Open match director.
“Billie Jean King’s contribution is power,” Curtis said. “She’s energy on the courts, she’s energy within the courts, she’s energy within the press, energy in her public advocacy, energy in her struggle for freedom, energy to be who she is now.”
King grew up in Long Beach, 34 miles south of Hollywood. She performed on the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills tennis golf equipment, the place she’d spot stars like Lucille Ball and Doris Day.
“My family loved music and movies,” she said. “A visit to Hollywood, a film at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, was a particular deal with for our household. My mom would have liked this.”
King attended Oscar-winning actor Holly Hunter’s star ceremony in 2008.
“I remember thinking back then, ‘Oh man, this is really cool. This is unbelievable,’” she said. “‘Oh, I’m by no means going to get this.’ Here I’m.”
King was the primary to step on her bronze star after it was uncovered a number of blocks east of the place her longtime buddy Elton John’s is positioned.
“Remember,” she stated, “my star is your star.”
Also available had been Los Angeles Lakers proprietor Jeanie Buss, her husband Jay Mohr, rapper Flavor Flav, race-car driver Katherine Legge, and Emmy-winning screenwriter Jane Anderson.
In January, King served as grand marshal of the 136th Rose Parade, and final yr she acquired the Congressional Gold Medal.
Source: www.dailysabah.com