THE ORIGINAL

The Original Evangeline the Oyster Girl, Kitty West, headlined Bourbon Street clubs in the late 1940s and ’50s. Born into a poor Mississippi family, she was one of six children. Her father was a minister, and her mother was a cousin of Elvis Presley’s father, Vernon. In 1947, at the age of sixteen, she left home and moved to New Orleans where she eventually became a stripper. She headlined the Casino Royale as the Oyster Girl, an act in which she rose out of a giant oyster shell and danced with an oversized pearl. In 1949, she made the pages of LIFE Magazine for an impromptu catfight with Divena, the Aqua Tease. Kitty was promptly arrested. Taking her act one step further, she dyed her hair green to represent seaweed. In 2005, Kitty West’s Bay St. Louis, Mississippi home was completely destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. Also affected by Hurricane Isaac in 2012, this true southern belle continues to live in the area.

Stormy's Casino Royale on Bourbon Street, the home of Evangeline the Oyster Girl

Club advertisement for headliner Evangeline the Oyster Girl, age 22.

Following the Oyster Girl, Divena removes her nylon stockings during an underwater striptease. She is the headlining act of the show. LIFE reveals, "she sneaks gulps of air when customers are looking elsewhere."

After stewing backstage, an enraged Evangeline picks up a fire ax, runs out on stage, and smashes the tank during Divena's act. "I just wanted to break the tank in a million pieces, and I did. I went out there and I just started pounding away at the bottom. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I was just in such a rage that I didn’t want her to take all the spotlight," recalls Kitty West.

A stunned Divena sits at the bottom of the tank, while patrons jump out of their seats and head to the exit. 400 gallons of water pours out onto the floor of the club. Afterwards, Evangeline reaches into the tank, pulling Divena's hair. One soaked tourist from Brooklyn told a reporter, "The management was profusely apologetic, assured me the episode was not a part of the act… this was a brand new experience for me. I never dreamed the hazards of night-clubbing on Bourbon Street included exposure to drowning."

Gentlemen enjoy cocktails while watching Evangeline rise from her shell (set next to Divena's water tank). Little did they know what would soon follow.

Evangeline is arrested and brought down to the police station. When asked about arresting the beautiful woman for cat-fighting, the arresting officer said, "It's routine, but we like it."

Evangeline and Divena headed to court the next day. Divena forgave the Oyster Girl, after discovering it was publicity stunt in which she, unfortunately, was not clued in on. As a friendly gesture, Evangeline lent Divena proper attire to wear to the court proceedings. Evangeline was fined $10. The story went out across the nation through the Associated Press. Divena was asked how she felt after the assault. "As though I was beaten for hours with basketballs," she said. She described the pressure in the tank as, "pretty terrific."

After LIFE Magazine ran the pictorial of the incident, it has become the defining moment of Kitty West's career. Audiences lined-up in front of the club to see the famous Oyster Girl! Since then, the public has been fascinated by the Oyster Girl. Over the years, she has appeared in documentaries all over the world. In 2011, LIFE did a follow-up over 60 years later!

In 2012, the tradition continues as Kitty West officially turns over her act to Ginger Lee Valentine.

Bustout Burlesque creator and producer Rick Delaup was inspired by Kitty West in the mid 1990s to pursue a career in burlesque. It became a goal of theirs to recreate the Oyster Girl act.

Divena was heavily promoted, and given top billing over the club's veteran stripper Evangeline the Oyster Girl. Evangeline had been performing the act for a year, and LIFE Magazine referred to it as an "old attraction."

In 1949, Divena, of California, was booked into the Casino Royale. She performed an underwater aqua-tease.

Ginger Valentine visits Kitty West to learn precise moves in order to authentically recreate the Oyster Girl act.