User:Kwib/Melinda Phelps

Melinda Lee Phelps
Born	February 9, 1959 Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, U.S.
Nationality	American
Education	Villa Park High School,
Occupation(s)	Actress, dancer, aesthetician
Relatives	Nicola Angiuli (husband); 3 children

Melinda Phelps Anguili is an American former actress, dancer and beauty queen, best known for her role as a Muse in the 1980 film Xanadu. She also appeared in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Early Life and Education

Melinda Lee Phelps was born on February 9, 1959, to Lee W. Phelps and Jean (nee Reynolds). Her father, Lee Phelps, was a noted athlete and real estate developer. After a successful football career as a halfback at the University of Oregon, where he played alongside legends such as John Madden and John Robinson. In 1958 he and Jean moved to Washington DC, where Lee served in the Air Force. It was at Andrews Air Force Hospital, Maryland where Melinda was born. Lee then played for the Boston Patriots but a serious knee injury ended his football career. The family then moved back to California where Melinda's younger sister Jamie Lou was born in 1962.

Melinda grew up in Villa Park, California, where she attended Villa Park High School. From the age of 6, Phelps took lessons in dance which over time included ballet, tap, acrobatic, jazz and modern ballet. During her time at High School, she was an active member of the gymnastics team and varsity song leader. In 1977 she went on to Cal State in Fullerton to major in education and theater arts. Phelps also won a scholarship to the New York Ballet. Whilst at School, Phelps also worked part time at Triple C Dance Studio in Orange.

Career

Performance

Whilst still at High School, Phelps entered the Miss Dance of Southern California, where she was first runner-up. She then went on to become Miss Orange (City of Orange) in 1977. Phelps was in fact asked to participate by the county pageant organisers and her subsequent selection as the winner caused controversy in both Villa Park and Orange County. The Villa Park Women's League filed a protest with both the county and state pageants, objecting to Melinda Phelps, a Villa Park resident, being selected by a different county. Conversely, Orange residents filed an objection that money was being spent on a Villa Park resident when Phelps was put forward to the Miss California pageant. However, no rules had been broken because in 1977 the eligibility had changed to include those that attended schools in the Orange Unified School District. Villa Park High School met that criteria. Having secured her spot at the 1977 Miss California contest in Santa Cruz, Phelps made it to the final ten in California.

Phelps then began her film career with an appearance in the 1978 movie Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. However, she is best known for her role as an immortal Muse in the 1980 musical Xanadu. Originally, the role of Muse 3 was played by Debbie Bartlett, but Melinda was cast as a replacement partway through filming. This resulted in her appearing in the film’s final song and dance sequences, but not in the opening “I’m Alive” number, where the muses awaken from a mural.

Phelps did not continue a career in the performing arts long after Xanadu.

Career in Aesthetics

In the late 1990s, Melinda transitioned from acting to the beauty and wellness industry, pursuing a career as an aesthetician. She began her training in New York with Estée Lauder Spas, where she honed her skills in skincare. Over the course of two decades, Melinda built a successful practice, becoming licensed in both New York and California.

Personal Life

Melinda married Nocola Angiuli, and the couple have three children - twin daughters and a son. The family reside in California.