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Home · News

Vintage Vamp: Solid Gold Dancer Darcel Wynn

If you grew up in the '80s, chances are the glitzy-good pop song countdown show,"Solid Gold," ruled your Saturday nights. The music was fabulous, but the real magic of "Solid Gold" (aside from the sax-heavy, Dionne Warwick-sung theme song) was the jazz-tastic Solid Gold dancers. Each week, from 1980 to 1988, these wrigglers performed slinky choreographed numbers to each of the top ten songs of the week--and principal dancer Darcel Wynn was their fearless leader. Oh, the majesty of Darcel! From '80 to '85, this Pittsburgh native turned America out with her lycra-clad awesomeness, unitard collection, confrontational nails and that exaggerated '80's weave (which varied from ankle-length braids to a waterfall of huge, pre-Jody Watley waves). Her look was major, but her dancing was everything--you haven't seen anything until you've witnessed Wynn writhing around on the floor in a gilded full-body catsuit to the Pointer Sisters' "Slow Hand." After her run on Solid Gold, Wynn had three children, settled down with her husband (Glen Leonard of the Temptations), and became a born-again Christian. Recently, she resurfaced in an interview with blogger Auntie Fashion, where she declared herself to be the inspiration for the new pants-less craze led by Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Rihanna. We couldn't love this more. Here, we rounded up some hot Darcel photos, as well as hair products inspired by her Solid Gold look.
By · January 27, 2010October 29, 2020
01
Golden Girl

If you grew up in the ‘80s, chances are the glitzy-good pop song countdown show,“Solid Gold,” ruled your Saturday nights. The music was fabulous, but the real magic of “Solid Gold” (aside from the sax-heavy, Dionne Warwick-sung theme song) was the jazz-tastic Solid Gold dancers. Each week, from 1980 to 1988, they performed slinky choreographed numbers to the top ten songs of the week—and principal dancer Darcel Wynn was their fearless leader. For five seasons, this Pittsburgh native turned America out with her gold-lame awesomeness, fierce unitard collection, fearsome nails and that glorious ’80’s weave (the style of which varied from ankle-length braids to a waterfall of huge, pre-Jody Watley waves). Her look was major, but her dancing was everything—you haven’t seen anything until you’ve witnessed Wynn writhing around on the floor in a gilded full-body catsuit to the Pointer Sisters’ “Slow Hand.” Darcel, we are not worthy.

02
Shine On

Add a touch of “Solid Gold”-glitz to your ’do with Frederic Fekkai Golden Shimmer Gelee Mist ($10). This limited edition shine spray contains golden micro-diamond particles that leave your hair looking glossy and luminous.

03
Bodacious Braids

Capitalizing off the ’80s fitness craze, in 1983, Darcel appeared in the enormously popularSolid Gold 5 Day Workout tape. Somehow, the dancer managed to keep her hair looking fabulous despite the sweaty, hardcore entire workout.

04
Band Aid

One of Darcel Wynn’s trademarks was a gold lame headband. Update the look with a skinny metallic headband, like Forever 21 Metallic Sparkle Head Wrap ($1.99). So delicate, and the price is fab.

05
Bodacious Braids

In Darcel Wynn’s interview with Auntie Fashion, she explained that her pre-show beauty regimen was a lot of work. “It was a lot of hours…braids and nails every week,” she said. “One time we were trying to get my hair to look like Crystal Gayle’s hair. The braids were down to my ankles. I tucked (them) in my belt and used that hair like a whip. The dancers next to me had to duck.”

Darcel Wynn’s Facebook Page
06
Shim-Shimma

Jazz up dull hair with Redken All Soft Gold Glimmer Perfecting Shine Treatment ($19). This strand-softening serum nourishes dry hair and gives it a shimmering sheen.

07
Just Dance

Before there were Fly Girls, there were “Solid Gold” dancers, ruling our Saturday nights in silver lycra, sparkly nude hose, and big hair.

08
Style Star

Darcel big, bodacious hair on “Solid Gold” called for tons of heat styling. Before using a curling iron or flatiron, always spritz your hair with a heat protector like ghd Thermal Protector for Dry, Coarse Hair ($19). That way, the iron will burn the spray, not your strands.

09
Curly Cue

To create Darcel’s wild woman waves, wind small sections of hair around Hot Tools Professional 3 Gold Barrel Waver ($36.95), a fancy styling tool that creates sexy waves in seconds.

10
Gold Rush

Before dancing her way into America’s living rooms as “Solid Gold’s” principal dancer, Darcel Wynn appeared as a dancer in films like “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Mame,” and “Xanadu.”

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