Actress Eartha Kitt explains why she would never compromise for love and she's on point

Unlike the traditional expectations of a patriarchal society that women must be nothing more than caregivers or perfect companions, some female icons in history have been unapologetically forging their own paths. Many famous women have spoken impudently against traditionalism and embraced a life free from the clutches of relationships that limit them. American singer and actress Eartha Kitt was one such distinguished personality who never shied away from expressing her brutally honest views about the dynamics of a romantic relationship. A clip from 1982 documentary "All By Myself: The Eartha Kitt Story," shared in 2020 by YouTube channel Take a Leaf - Film clips, shows why Kitt's perspective is still relevant even after decades.

In the documentary, directed by Christian Blackwood, a one-on-one conversation between the interviewer and the "Santa Baby" singer turned heads. When asked, "Can anyone live with Eartha Kitt?" the actress nonchalantly replied, "That's not for me to decide. That's for someone who decides to live with me to decide, not for me." The interviewer then questioned Kitt, "Are you willing to compromise within a relationship?" and the singer seemed absolutely baffled. With a puzzled expression on her face, she simply asked back, "Compromise? What is compromising? Compromising for what? Compromising for what reason?" The host clarified that it was to know if she would compromise in certain aspects if a man came into her life. That is when the actress let out her iconic laugh, ridiculing the question.

"Stupid," said Kitt to the interviewer and added, "A man comes into my life and I have to compromise? You must think about that one again." Laughing wildly as though the person had asked her a silly question, Kitt expressed her disbelief at the notion that she was expected to compromise for a man. "For what?" she pestered the host multiple times and said, "A relationship is a relationship that has to be earned, not to compromise for." Kitt's perspective against compromising in a relationship didn't mean that she never wanted to be in a relationship with a man. "I love relationships," the "Anna Lucasta" actress clarified and added, "I think there's nothing in the world more beautiful than falling in love. But falling in love for the right reasons. Falling in love for the right purpose."

"When you fall in love, what is there to compromise about?" Kitt countered. The interviewer then asked, "Isn't love a union between two people or does Eartha fall in love with herself?" To this, the actress opened up about how she perceived the idea of love with a powerful and beautiful statement, "I fall in love with myself and I want someone to share it with me." When asked if she had such an experience of sharing her love, Kitt said that such kind of love had happened to her "many times in many ways."

Kitt's bold and timeless responses from 1982 are still garnering praise on the internet, even after over four decades. "She made me realize that I’m not crazy. I always thought this way and people told me I was selfish. I live my life the way I want to. Now I’m selfish. This is my happiness. I live to be happy not to please everybody," commented @oshetrippin2976. "I'm finally at the point in my life where this makes absolute sense! It is wonderful!" wrote @UndiCreator. "This woman is a genuine inspiration. Ahead of her time but also timeless. So wise and full of attitude. No man or woman could keep up with her anyway," commented @bo2720.