Ceramic Mug 15oz “Baby Esther: The Original Boop-Boop-a-Doop Queen.”

Baby Esther, or Esther Lee Jones, was a child entertainer, singer, and dancer whose scat singing style influenced American pop culture—though she was never credited for her role in inspiring the iconic Betty Boop character.

Her Early Life & Rise to Fame

• Born between 1918 and 1921 in Chicago, Illinois.
• Trained in singing, dancing, and acrobatics as a child.
• Became a popular performer in Harlem, entertaining at nightclubs like the Cotton Club.
• Developed a unique scat singing style, using playful vocalizations like “Boo-Boo-Boo” and “Doo-Doo-Doo.”

The Betty Boop Controversy

• In 1928, singer Helen Kane saw Baby Esther perform and adopted her style, including the famous “Boop-Boop-a-Doop” phrase.
• In 1930, when Fleischer Studios introduced the cartoon character Betty Boop, Kane sued the studio, claiming they stole her persona.
• During the trial, Fleischer Studios proved that Baby Esther had performed in this style years before Kane.
• A test film of Baby Esther performing was used as evidence, and the court ruled against Kane, confirming that Esther’s style predated Kane’s act.

Later Life & Forgotten Legacy

• Despite her influence on pop culture, Baby Esther faded from public recognition as she grew older.
• Little is documented about her later life, including her death, which remains unknown.
• She never received credit or royalties, despite shaping the jazz and entertainment scene that Betty Boop later made famous.

Baby Esther’s story is a powerful example of Black artists shaping entertainment history, often without recognition