Judy Garland Was the Bombshell Hollywood Ignored — Here Are 12 Photos That Prove It

Judy grew a love for acting out of a need for love she wasn’t getting at home. Her parents had an unstable relationship that eventually led to divorce — the stage was her first home. "The only time I felt wanted when I was a kid was when I was on stage, performing," she said.

Judy described her mother as the "stage mom" type who was harsh on her and wanted her to succeed in show business more than anything. She put pressure on Judy about her weight and appearance and in an interview about her life, Judy even called her the “real Wicked Witch of the West.”

Judy got her big acting break in 1936 when she was just 13. A songwriter from MGM Studios in Los Angeles came to see her perform with her sisters, and they loved her so much, she was flown out with her father for an audition right away. They knew she was a natural.

The studio signed her even though they thought she was too old for typical child actor roles, yet unsuitable for adult roles at the time. All the while, Judy attended Hollywood High School with other young, budding stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, and Lana Turner. 

While her classmates were being regarded as the beauties of the time, Judy was constantly criticized by the industry. She was considered to be the classic “girl-next-door” and was typecast in specific roles because of it. The studio had her wear caps on her teeth and rubber disks to reshape her nose and alter her appearance. Someone from MGM even called her "my little hunchback," because she was only 4'11 inches tall.

But during this time, Judy kept making great films. She appeared in several of them alongside Mickey Rooney, a costar and friend.

In 1939 at just 16, Judy played Dorothy in the film we hold most near and dear to our hearts, The Wizard of Oz.

It wasn’t until 1943 when she was 21 during the filming of Meet Me in St. Louis that she was finally able to abandon the girl-next-door stereotype and embrace a new, sexier look.

For the first time, someone acknowledged her beauty. The director of the film, Vincent Minelli (whom she’d later marry) regarded her as a pretty girl. Could you blame him?

Judy battled the stereotype that Hollywood attached to her for years. Regardless, she continued to achieve success in acting and become well-loved for her amazing talent as a singer as well.

She won several awards, including for her performance in The Wizard of Oz (Academy Award), and the films Babes in Arms (Academy Award) and A Star is Born (Golden Globe). She even took home awards for her music, winning Album of the Year at the Grammys in 1962 for her solo performance, Judy at Carnegie Hall.

While influential voices in Hollywood failed to see Judy Garland’s undeniable beauty, she rose to the top of her craft and became a legend in the industry. Despite her troubled childhood, her dedication and mastery of her art will be remembered forever.