In the fifth installment of our conversation with Jeanette Lee, the legend begins to take shape. This is the chapter where the player becomes the persona, and Jeanette explains how “The Black Widow” was born — not as a carefully engineered brand at first, but as an image, an impression, and eventually an identity that captured the imagination of fans far beyond the pool world. Her reaction to the nickname is as funny as it is revealing, and the story behind it is pure Jeanette: skeptical, sharp, and unforgettable.

Jeanette also talks about trying to bring more women into the game, offering free instruction during ladies’ nights, and doing what she could to make pool more welcoming and visible. She recounts memorable moments around Gabe’s room, Willie Mosconi, promotional photos, and the strange experience of seeing herself presented to the public in a new way. Bit by bit, the image grew — and so did the opportunity.

But as this episode makes clear, the fame was built on far more than image. Underneath the nickname was enormous sacrifice, pain, determination, and work. By the end of this fifth chapter of her life story, what comes through most powerfully is not just why Jeanette Lee became famous, but why she mattered. She changed how people saw pool, she changed who they imagined could represent it, and she did it with style, grit, honesty, and heart.

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come.

Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.

Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”