She made her vaudeville debut in Scranton, Pennsylvania, at the age of 15. She performed in Oscar Hammerstein I's Victoria Theatre in 1911, although her performance was panned, mainly for her song choices. By age 17, she was a headliner.
She debuted in vaudeville at age 15 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and by 17 was a headliner after receiving criticism for her performance in Oscar Hammerstein I's Victoria Theatre in 1911.