Originally Posted by
RanRan79
I've said before that I think one reason Flo might have kept quiet was because her drinking could be brought up in retaliation. It was taboo at the time, so that would have been something that might scare her.
Flo could have gone to them with all the stuff we've read about in Dreamgirl, CHMR, Lost Supreme, and other tomes. Those stories do not just say "Diana is mean", although even that accusation could've been damaging since Diana's public persona was one of a giddy girl trying to make it big. Diana would have died if it had gotten out that she was sleeping with the married Smokey and Brian Holland. She could have very well painted a picture of a coupled up Berry and Diana, ganging up on her. Back then, just like now, the public doesn't care if it's true. As long as it's printed as truth, it's worth believing.
The Supremes really were America's sweethearts. Their public image was intricately crafted and heavily guarded, as not only were they the nation's "sweethearts", but they were also representing the Black community. They had to toe a public line, and to an extent, a private one too, hence why Gordy flipped his lid when he learned Mary was having mirrors installed above her bed. Sex, drugs and rock and roll was not supposed to apply to the Supremes. It could have been damaging for the world to find out those girls were less than perfect during a time when Black women in particular had to be careful with public image.
Flo could have done some lethal damage. Could the group have recovered? Maybe. But I have to believe they breathed a sigh of relief when Flo's solo career kicked off and she was doing interviews that showcased that her Motown training in PR was still very much a part of her and her approach to doing her job. Of Berry Gordy she once said "he's a very nice man". Clearly she wasn't interested in destroying them.
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