Iris Chacón: The inspiration behind Starfire from the Teen Titans.
In the captivating realm of female iconography, showgirls have left an indelible mark as embodiments of an idealized woman, their allure manifested through an extravagant display of eroticism, and glamour has enraptured artists historically. From sculptors to poets, musicians to designers, showgirls have always served as muses. Even the world of comic art has found inspiration in them, and the idea that Iris Chacón might have influenced the creation of Starfire is a subject of longstanding discussion.
George Perez, Starfire's creator, was undeniably shaped by his Puerto Rican heritage, and Iris Chacón stood as a prominent boricua figure in America. Her influential presence, starting in 1972 with the Iris Chacón Show, coincides in time with George's formative years.
In 1980, Starfire made her memorable debut, captivating readers with her fierce image that bore a striking resemblance to Iris Chacón. While other inspirations like Red Sonja, an older superheroine, and adult film star Rosemary Lorenz were mentioned by Perez, the parallels between the two were undeniable.
As the 80s unfolded, Starfire's appearance gradually mirrored Chacón's, Simultaneously, the showgirl gained considerable notoriety in the US, gracing prominent media outlets, from David Letterman to the front page of the Wall Street Journal.
Throughout the years, speculation regarding Starfire's inspiration persisted, with no concrete evidence to validate the theory. It was not until 2019, during the Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con, that Vu Nguyen, Perez's biographer and superfan (founder of thegeorgeperez.com), had the opportunity to ask him about the origins of Starfire. During this candid exchange, Perez finally acknowledged that Iris Chacon had indeed served as a significant influence in crafting the character. Why wouldn't he have admitted it earlier? Sadly George Perez died a couple of years later, due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
In conclusion: Iris Chacon is indeed the inspiration behind Starfire, reaffirming once again the value of Latina showgirls in the history of female representation and iconography.