You kind of pointed out the problem in your post. It is mostly about luck. But we create our own luck be it either good luck or bad luck. People with ambition and the want to succeed usually create their own opportunities and then work to make those opportunities succeed. Then people say "how lucky he/she was".
A&M had a great party for her in NYC to introduce her LP's promotion. Everyone in the industry who could help her was there. DJ's, Program Directors, retailers, distributors, promoters etc. I honestly do not recall if she performed, but I do remember her taking pictures with us, and talking to us one on one, and to me she came across as shy and bashful I heard other people there saying that she wasn't very social. But as you pointed out, I think she was just uncomfortable in these types of situations.
A&M was a great label for its artists. There was a terrific documentary last year on EPIX where A&M artists stated just how great they were for the artists.
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Story-Reco.../dp/B09MX8Q448
A&M set up promotion for Jean's album, but I don't think she took much advantage of those opportunities. So in that sense, I think that the luck she created was bad luck.
On record and on stage, Jean was great. But in interviews, she was kind of laid back and bashful. I loved Jean as a Supreme with the group. I would have loved her as a soloist. But perhaps life out of the spotlight made her happier.
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