Carmen Miranda was a sensational star of stage and film who was born in Portugal. She came to Rio de Janiero as a child, where she was raised by her parents. Carmen compensated for her mediocre voice with distinct and alluring movements of her hands. Her hands, she believed, were her most valuable asset. Miranda also crafted unique and tantalizing fruit arrangements. She wore these in her hair along with turbans. The headdresses and accompanying stilted sandals made Carmen appear taller than her natural 5'1". These additions increased the overall impression Carmen made on movie audiences.