My singing is part of me, like my stoutness, or my light hair, or my poor eyesight.

Presidential Medal of Freedom
On October 26 1982 Smith received the Presidential Medal of Freedom America's highest civilian honor by U. On the other hand West's first starring film was a huge success.

She sang the controversial top twenty song of 1931 "That's Why Darkies Were Born". Paramount initially promoted Smith's film and it proved to be disappointing at the box office. Collins put her on radio in 1931.