Official Yma Sumac

Literally every other sentence he speaks contains a lie. Sometimes 2 lies in the same sentence. It’s almost a sickness at this point.

The beautiful Yma Sumac statue at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which is nearby her crypt that I designed a few months before her passing in late 2008.

#hollywoodforever #ymasumac

It sure would have been great to see Yma Sumac on What’s My Line? The panelists would have been totally enchanted by Sumac, especially beautiful Arlene Francis and the flirtatious Bennett Cerf.

Photo of Yma Sumac ©️Damon Devine /Official Yma Sumac Archives

#whatsmyline #ArleneFrancis #YmaSumac

All the signs were there. T even said straight out “just vote this one time and you’ll never have to vote again. We’ll fix it all up.” 34 times convicted felon, TWICE impeached, elderly, extraordinarily divisive, and a compulsive liar. And they wanted that back in charge? Total insanity.

The ignorance is willful, which makes it worse. That’s the cult mentality. The inaction of many on our side, given the danger we were facing, is disgusting. The far left extremists who voted for wacky Jill Stein, caused us serious problems, as well.

Yma Sumac wins a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Wilshire Ebell in Los Angeles, CA, 1997. She deserves a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from the @recordingacademy.bsky.social

#ymasumac #vintagejewelry #contralto #lesbaxter

Filming at Yma Sumac Headquarters in Los Angeles.

#ymasumac #lesbaxter #arthurlyman #classichollywood

www.yma-sumac.com turns 20 this year!

#ymasumac #angelesnationalforest

Yma Sumac lived in Los Angeles for 58 years. She only ever owned homes in Los Angeles, two of them just 15 miles from the catastrophic tragedy that has happened here. Images of wildlife confused and running aimlessly in the city streets would have absolutely broken her heart, as well as residents.

#ymasumac

We were gone for the holidays, so here’s this.

#ymasumac #mexicohistory #hollywoodhistory #contralto

A gorgeous Yma Sumsc arrives in Mexico, 1957. She always had great fun there. Two of her 2 movies were shot there. Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico is where she got her start, and she never forgot those places.

(C)Damon Devine

#ymasumac #vampira #hollywoodforevercemetery

Today would have been marvelous Vampira’s (Maila Nurmi) 102nd birthday. Both women were born the same year (1922) and passed on the same year (2008). Both rest at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Yma Sumac photo ©️Damon Devine / Official Yma Sumac Archives
Vampira photo restoration by Leonardo Baricala

Yma Sumac met Joan Crawford at Mocambo in Hollywood. She was a big fan of Crawford’s and about fainted when Joan came over to her table. “Yma Sumac! What a voice you have!” Yma: “She have very strong face, but was beautiful and very sweet with me.”

#joancrawford #ciros #mocambo #classicholllywood

💜

This song was played at her funeral in 2008 as everyone walked out of the chapel into the sunlight. It was a powerful moment.

#ymasumac #hukilau #tikiculture #coloratura

A radiant Yma Sumac looks at a vintage tour program from her 1954 concerts in Paris. This photo was taken by me in 2005. I was her makeup artist and person assistant at the time.

photo© Damon Devine / Official Yma Sumac Archives

#ymasumac #grammys #latingrammy

I did see that. It was quite a popular post. I commented a few facts that close to 700 people liked. That's interesting because there is never such response on her own page! There's about a 695 response difference. 😄

Yma Sumac's star on Hollywood Blvd. She was not the first "the first Latina" to receive the honor, that is "internet Peruvian folklore." Many stars were all unveiled at the same time, in no particular order. The little dogs seen here are Papacito & Rudy, whom Yma Sumac adored like grandchildren.

I'm still adapting, too. 😄 Not sure just what to think yet.

❤

Yma Sumac's official website which turns 20 year old next year. She and I created it together in late 2004.

www.yma-sumac.com

Saw this powerful movie last night in Los Angeles! The assistant archivist at Yma Sumac Headquarters is Brazilian. The lead actors and director of this film were there.