Inspirational quotes made famous by Cooper:"
"Diva, Slap me, Don't slap me cuz I'm not in the mood, BW (basic woman), I know I was looking good, Riding in my Cooper's limousine, I had to leave my condo to come to this?"
~Bernadette Cooper~
"Flawless, Fatburger, Divas need love too, Okay, I'm nice, I am your Diva Savior, Much, much, much unhappy about this, Scandalous, Fierce, Fabulous, Just Sitting back relaxing and looking good, Fab attack, Desperation is not a beautiful perfume,"
~Bernadette Cooper~
"Sexy, Grand Diva, Queen, I'm ferocious, They Love me, they hate me, but they all say -I look good, Yamamoto Kansai sweater, Kenneth Cole shoes, Gianni Versace blue leather suit... My nails were done, and my hair was fierce!" GOTU (Goddess Of The Universe) and the hair over one-eye!"
~Bernadette Cooper~
Bernadette Cooper
Bernadette Cooper made history as the first woman of color to create an all-female, multiracial band that achieved such prominence in pop music. A true diseuse, producer, composer, musician, entertainer, author, and visionary, she created, founded, named, designed, and produced the legendary all-female band Klymaxx and became the unmistakable creative force behind the dynamic trio Madame X. She also helped popularize the word “DIVA” in popular music and introduced the R&B world to the high-fashion names Gianni Versace and Kenneth Cole through the iconic lyrics of “The Men All Pause.”
Bernadette’s groundbreaking songwriting, production, and creative direction helped produce such enduring Billboard R&B chart hits as “The Men All Pause” (#5), “Meeting in the Ladies Room” (#4), “Sexy” (#18), and “Divas Need Love Too” (#14). Klymaxx was firmly cemented in pop-music history with the group’s Top 3 crossover smash “I Miss You.” Bernadette later created, wrote for, and produced Madame X, whose hit “Just That Type of Girl” reached #7 on the Billboard R&B chart.
In 1990, Bernadette stepped forward as a solo artist with her critically acclaimed album, Drama According to Bernadette Cooper, further showcasing the theatricality, wit, fashion, and musical sophistication that have defined her extraordinary career. Her writing and production credits include Bette Midler, Salt-N-Pepa, Teena Marie, Madame X, Lenny Kravitz, and Paula Abdul, and her music has also appeared in major motion pictures, including To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, Action Jackson, and Think Like a Man.
Bernadette independently owns the registered trademarks Klymaxx featuring Bernadette Cooper® in the United States and Klymaxx® in the United Kingdom, as well as Klymaxx LLC—protecting and carrying forward the musical legacy she first envisioned as a teenager. She is currently developing her memoir and an original audio project while continuing to tour and introduce her work to new generations.
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KLYMAXX
The groundbreaking 1980s American all-female supergroup Klymaxx began with the extraordinary vision of seventeen-year-old Bernadette Cooper. Armed with determination, imagination, and an unwavering belief in what was possible, Cooper challenged the boundaries of the male-dominated music industry and personally selected each member of the band she had dreamed of creating.
Mentored by legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the women of Klymaxx brought their individual gifts to the group—each contributing her own musicianship, creativity, writing, production style, and unmistakable personality. Together, they transformed Cooper’s original vision into an unprecedented success story, earning gold and platinum records and establishing Klymaxx as one of the most successful and influential all-female bands in music history.
Bernadette Cooper and Joyce “Fenderella” Irby wrote and produced the group’s first major hit, “The Men All Pause,” followed by the unforgettable “Meeting in the Ladies Room” and the timeless ballad “I Miss You,” penned by Lynn Malsby. Lorena “Lungs” Porter’s electrifying, powerhouse vocals gave Klymaxx a fierce and instantly recognizable sound, while Joyce Irby brought a youthful vocal quality and magnetic presence reminiscent of Michael Jackson. Bernadette became the group’s fearless frontwoman and creative provocateur—the Mick Jagger of Klymaxx—with her bold fashion, uninhibited movement, theatrical flair, humor, and delicious unpredictability.
Every member brought an essential ingredient to the magic. Their talents complemented one another, their individual styles strengthened the whole, and together they created a sound, image, and legacy that could never be duplicated. Klymaxx was more than a band—it was a musical sisterhood, a cultural force, and a history-making celebration of women who played, wrote, produced, performed, and commanded the stage on their own terms. It is no wonder Billboard hailed Klymaxx as one of the hottest bands of the 1980s.
Video Clips
When your work, style, and attitude become part of pop culture...
Sweet Inspirations!
Halle Berry Channels Bernadette Cooper SNL
Jam and Lewis
Bette Midler does Bernadette Cooper Diva Las Vegas...
Maya Rudolph Amy Poehler reflect on Klymaxx.
