Even within the industry, Egyptian dancers face difficulties. Lurdiana’s former manager once explained his preference for foreign dancers. “He said that if an Egyptian girl works as a belly dancer, it means she doesn’t come from a good family or have a good education,” she says. “They think that she just does it because she wants to get money and doesn’t have any other options. They can’t imagine that she would do this just because she loves it.” The story begins sometime around 1951 or 1952. Ray was appearing at the Cinderella club in Greenwich Village. One night at the club, Ray was introduced to Samia Gamal and her new husband, Sheppard King III.
