Her exacting standards underpinned a high-maintenance reputation; she also made no secret of her impoverished upbringing or early career. “Be careful when you say ‘ghetto’… music comes from there,” she told French journalist Philippe Caloni in her final interview (1977). “I’ve almost never seen a great musician who had an upper-class background. There’s something good about ghettos because if you come from there, it makes you want more. It makes you say, ‘One day I’ll be someone’.” BBC Click visits a simulator lab that allows musicians to practice performance in real-world conditions. DIVA magazine is the world’s leading magazine for LGBTQIA women and non binary people. In a world where women are routinely placed into categories, often with negative connotations, like ‘whore’, ‘virgin’, ‘slut’, ‘hormonal, ‘hysterical’, etc, ‘diva’ is just another example that only serves to lazily reduce a woman to nothing more than a mere concept of a person.
What does being a ‘diva’ really mean? The misogynistic history of a controversial label
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In Beyoncé’s song ‘Diva’, she tells us that a “diva is a female version of a hustler”. Certainly, when men work hard – even if that means neglecting their families or lashing out at crew members for not understanding their creative visions, for example – they rarely get criticised in the same way. For a female star to lean into ‘hustle culture’ and creative perfection is to become selfish, arrogant, over-confident, and a diva. We travel to La Scala in Milan, Italy the iconic stage where every opera singer dreams of performing. Exploring the definition of diva-dom is the exhibition DIVA, just opened at the V&A, London. “The exhibition will show that there are many definitions and interpretations of a diva,” lead curator Kate Bailey tells BBC Culture.
More from Merriam-Webster on diva
She was also beamed to prime-time TV audiences, such as her 1956 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show,where she sang Vissi d’arte (I lived for art), an aria from Giacomo Puccini’s 1899 opera Tosca. While this is certainly the case for many stars (of all genders) who let fame get to their heads and then lash out at those they consider beneath them, it can’t be denied that many women are called divas when, really, they just know what they want, won’t be bossed around by others, and have the courage to go after their goals. In other cases, anxiety and insecurity can be misconstrued as diva behaviour, such as turning down signing autographs or being reluctant to do interviews. A Hollywood star whose diva label has arguably more legs to stand on, at least from an outside perspective, is Bette Davis. Known for her short temper, love of gossip, and drive for perfection, many people have labelled her a diva.
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The diva’s temperamental nature often made headlines, adding to her mystique.11. The diva’s diva, she demanded a separate dressing room and specific food requests.12. The diva’s vocal range was unmatched, hitting high notes with ease and precision.13.
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While these facts are likely very true – Davis might have very well been an insufferable person to be around – how much of this criticised behaviour was enacted by male stars, too? There were just as many hard-to-work-with men in the industry – and continue to be – who do not receive the diva label. And even worse, many of these men committed acts far worse than arguing with directors or looking down on others – like sexual harassment or abuse.
- Sir Paul McCartney’s childhood home in Liverpool offers a rare glimpse into the early life of a global icon.
- The image of Callas as an archetypal diva, and the notion that the goddess-star should suffer for her art, is loaded; there is no equivalent that positions a male divo on quite the same pedestal, or exposes them to the same judgements.
- Callas maintained her poise in the face of astounding cruelty, and long before mainstream notions of artist wellbeing or body positivity; it’s hard to imagine people camping out for Beyoncé or Gaga shows solely to jeer or pelt the stars with vegetables.
- Certainly, when men work hard – even if that means neglecting their families or lashing out at crew members for not understanding their creative visions, for example – they rarely get criticised in the same way.
- We tackle the tough topics, like racism in the LGBTQIA community, mental health and the challenges facing queer youth, and also profile inspirational women who are making a difference to the lives of lesbian, bi and trans women.
The image of Callas as an archetypal diva, and the notion that the goddess-star should suffer for her art, is loaded; there is no equivalent that positions a male divo on quite the same pedestal, or exposes them to the same judgements. Yet Callas did arguably channel real-life trauma and conflict into her musical delivery, and seemed bound by the notion of “destiny”. Above all, the V&A’s DIVA will be celebratory, says curator Kate Bailey, who is keen to redress an injustice served to these extraordinary performers. “If you look at the nature of the diva as an artist and how often they are looked at and scrutinised in a way which carries a lot of negativity, when actually, these solo artists are hard-working, ambitious, visionary, trail-blazing… and should be celebrated for that,” she says.
She strutted onto the stage like a true diva, demanding attention with every step.3. The pop diva’s album soared to the top of the charts within days of its release.4. Her reputation as a diva preceded her, causing anticipation and excitement wherever she went.5. The fashion diva effortlessly pulled off the latest trends, setting the style for others to follow.6. Despite her diva persona, she had a heart of gold and regularly donated to charity. Callas united so-called high culture and pop culture, without compromising her repertoire.
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- DIVA brings you the latest in lesbian and bi related celebrity interviews, news, politics, pop culture, style, travel, social issues, entertainment and more.
- The diva’s vocal range was unmatched, hitting high notes with ease and precision.13.
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- But a new exhibition celebrates the diva for what she really is – fabulous, writes Deborah Nicholls-Lee.
- Behind the scenes, the diva was known for her meticulous attention to detail and perfectionism.5.
- She was also beamed to prime-time TV audiences, such as her 1956 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show,where she sang Vissi d’arte (I lived for art), an aria from Giacomo Puccini’s 1899 opera Tosca.
DIVA brings you the latest in lesbian and bi related celebrity interviews, news, politics, pop culture, style, travel, social issues, entertainment and more. Borrowed from Italian diva (“diva, goddess”), from Latin dīva (“goddess”), Diva female of dīvus (“divine, divine one; notably a deified mortal”). Borrowed from Italian diva (“goddess”), from Latin diva, feminine form of divus. Bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel is one of the most distinguished opera singers of our age.
But there’ll be no tabloid-style slating of Mariah Carey for allegedly demanding kittens and confetti at a Christmas lights launch, or of Jennifer Lopez for asking (UK TV show) Top of The Pops to redecorate her dressing room. If you’re not running to call a man a diva, then why are you calling a woman one for similar behaviours? By using a term that reduces a person to a flimsy stereotype, you strip a person of their identity and complexity. Considering that much of what we know about celebrities has been constructed through the media, we can never be sure of what a person is really like unless we know them personally. The posthumous veneration of Callas might deflect from the media industry’s original malice, but it also reflects her inimitable force.
The diva’s performance at the award ceremony left the audience spellbound, reaffirming her status as a true star.14. Despite her diva status, the singer remained humble, always grateful for her success. The renowned opera diva captivated the audience with her breathtaking performance.2.
“And yes, part of that is real.” Hip-hop star Lizzo, queen of feathers, fake furs and sexy stage wear, is another artist who leans into it, while, as a plus-size woman, subverting the archetype. The diva’s powerful voice filled the concert hall, leaving the audience in awe.2. As the diva exited the limousine, paparazzi eagerly snapped photos, desperate to capture her every move.3. Behind the scenes, the diva was known for her meticulous attention to detail and perfectionism.5. The diva’s extravagant wardrobe was filled with designer gowns and sparkling jewelry.6.
