Diva Explained

Diva (pronounced as /it/) is the Latin word for a goddess. It has often been used to refer to a celebrated woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, theatre, cinema, fashion and popular music. If referring to an actress, the meaning of diva is closely related to that of prima donna. Diva can also refer to a person, especially one in show business, with a reputation for being temperamental or demanding.

Derivation

The word entered the English language in the late 19th century. It is derived from the Italian noun diva, a female deity. The plural of the word in English is "divas"; in Italian, dive pronounced as /it/. The basic sense of the term is goddess,[1] [2] the feminine of the Latin word divus (Italian divo), someone deified after death, or Latin deus, a god.[3]

The male form divo exists in Italian and is usually reserved for the most prominent leading tenors, like Enrico Caruso and Beniamino Gigli. The Italian term divismo describes the star-making system in the film industry. In contemporary Italian, diva and divo simply denote much-admired celebrities, especially film actresses and actors, and can be translated as "(film) star". The Italian actress Lyda Borelli is considered the first cinematic diva, following her breakthrough role in Love Everlasting (1913).[4]

An extravagant admiration for divas is a common element of camp culture.[5]

Modern usage

Women are often referred to as divas if they are "difficult, temperamental and demanding".[6] Welsh National Opera note that the title emerged in the early 19th century after an increase of female leading sopranos who "almost became goddess-like in the eyes of their adoring public".[6] They also note that the word has been used by the media to name many female politicians and entertainers rather than "just ambitious and assertive like their male counterparts".[6]

Many pop stars have been labelled as divas in the media, including Aretha Franklin,[7] Ariana Grande,[8] Beyoncé,[6] Cher,[9] Christina Aguilera,[10] Diana Ross, Tina Turner, and Whitney Houston.[11] Additionally, Madonna and Mariah Carey have been called an "ultimate diva" in the press and have often embraced the title as their media persona.[12] [13] Carey herself noted on a podcast with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex that today's media "mean you're a successful woman" but also a "bitch" and that "it's not okay for you to be a boss".[14] Musicologist Lily E. Hirsch argues that the phrase may be used in a sexist and racist manner when discussing a woman of color.[15]

Multiple female artists and bands have also released albums and songs either titled or containing the word "diva". These include Annie Lennox,[16] En Vogue,[17] Beyoncé[18] and Sarah Brightman. English media personality and businesswoman Gemma Collins is well known for her "diva persona".[19] In 2018, she released a book titled The GC: How to Be a Diva and began starring in her own reality television series .[20] [21]

In 1998, VH1 debuted its first annual VH1 Divas concert with Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan and Shania Twain.[22] Some other artists who performed at later concerts are Whitney Houston, Cher, Tina Turner, Diana Ross and Destiny's Child.[22] From April 1999, WWE used the term "diva" to refer to their female performers. In 2016 they discontinued this term becoming Women in WWE.[23]

See also

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: diva | Origin and meaning of diva by Online Etymology Dictionary. www.etymonline.com.
  2. Time magazine observed in its October 21, 2002, issue: "By definition, a diva was originally used for great female opera singers, almost always sopranos."
  3. [John Warrack|Warrack, John]
  4. Doane p.125
  5. http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/publications/wordisout/archive/04milnes.htm "Vamps, camps and archetypes: gay men, the diva phenomenon and the inner feminine"
  6. Web site: Diva: criticism or compliment?. January 5, 2022. Welsh National Opera (WNO).
  7. Web site: The Diva Has Returned: Aretha Franklin Reveals Stunning Weight Loss . Hello Beautiful . Sonya . Eskridge . July 31, 2017 . August 4, 2017 .
  8. Web site: Ariana Grande Opens Up About How Being Labeled A Diva F*Cked Her 'Up A Little Bit'. January 5, 2022. ELLE. 13 May 2020 .
  9. Web site: none. Bogursky. Sasha. 'The Voice' recap: Cher's diva antics exposed as contestants deliver intense performances. Fox News Channel. October 16, 2013. January 18, 2016.
  10. Web site: Christina Aguilera's 7 Best Diva Moments. July 28, 2021. Bustle.
  11. Web site: Best Pop Divas of All Time. January 5, 2021. Live 365. August 2018 .
  12. Web site: Madonna: An American life. NBC News. April 29, 2003. February 27, 2022.
  13. Web site: "Glee" Stars Pick Their Favorite Songs for All-Madonna Episode. Rolling Stone. November 12, 2009. February 27, 2022.
  14. Web site: Meghan Markle and Mariah Carey Want To Reclaim The Positivity Behind The Word 'Diva'. January 2, 2023. Grazia. 31 August 2022 .
  15. Book: Hirsch, Lily E.. Can't Stop the Grrrls: Confronting Sexist Labels in Pop Music from Ariana Grande to Yoko Ono. Rowman & Littlefield. Lanham. 2023. 9781538169063. 146–148.
  16. Zacharek. Stephanie. Stephanie Zacharek. Diva. Entertainment Weekly. 15 May 1992. 18 July 2021.
  17. Web site: Funky Divas – En Vogue. AllMusic. May 26, 2017. Promis. Jose F..
  18. Web site: Rap-Up TV: Bangladesh Reinvents Kelly Rowland And R. Kelly . 2010-07-12 . 2010-12-10 . . 2012-10-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121016125403/http://www.rap-up.com/2010/07/12/rap-up-tv-bangladesh-reinvents-kelly-rowland-and-r-kelly/ . dead .
  19. Web site: Diva Forever: can a new reality show reveal the real Gemma Collins?. Golby. Joel. 17 August 2019. The Guardian. en. 25 September 2021. 17 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190817114723/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/aug/17/diva-forever-can-a-new-reality-show-reveal-the-real-gemma-collins. live.
  20. Web site: Gemma Collins: Diva Espana - what time is it on TV?. Radio Times. 8 March 2020. 24 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210424203850/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/gw289q/gemma-collins-diva-espana--series-1-episode-1/. live.
  21. Web site: A fun read? Towie's Gemma Collins discusses her new guide to being a diva. The Irish News. en. 2018-10-30. 5 July 2018. 30 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170414/https://www.irishnews.com/arts/2018/07/05/news/towie-s-gemma-collins-i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-be-famous--1372394/. live.
  22. Web site: VH1 Divas Live at 20: A Look Back at the Major Music Moment That Almost Never Happened. January 5, 2022. E!. 16 August 2018 .
  23. Web site: All-new WWE Women's Championship introduced at WrestleMania. April 3, 2016. WWE.com. Staff. April 4, 2016. WWE.com.

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