FEATURE:
The Bitch Isn’t Back: Reframing the Narrative and Idea of the Diva
IN THIS PHOTO: Cher, Elton John and Diana Ross at Rock Awards Santa Monica Civic Auditorium 1975, various locations, Mark Sullivan 70's Rock Archive (this image will be on display the upcoming V&A DIVA exhibition)/PHOTO CREDIT: Mark Sullivan/Contour by Getty Images
Celebrating an Upcoming Exhibition That Takes the Term Away from Misogynistic and Sexist Roots
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ALTHOUGH a new exhibition…
IN THIS PHOTO: Whitney Houston performing at Wembley Arena on 5th May, 1988/PHOTO CREDIT: David Corio (this photo will be on display the exhibition)
is designed to be celebratory and highlight some of the most iconic ‘divas’ opera, stage, popular music, and film, I wanted to also explore the way that word has been used. Across film, opera and stage, the notion of being a ‘diva’ can mean different things. Normally associated with someone who is quite difficult, I think that V&A South Kensington’s DIVA exhibition will dispel some notions. Rather than it being a word that is negative or refers to someone who is exacting or has a big ego, there are positives to be found. In fact, men are being included in the exhibition. Elton John is someone who one could see as a diva. He has been known to have the odd tantrum here and there, but rather than spotlight those important figures who are complex and can be quite short-tempered, the diva is more about celebration. If one looks up a definition of that word, you get a split. Diva is Latin for a goddess. Also, it is often seen as referring to someone, usually a woman, who is self-important and is difficult. Before any details of the V&A exhibition came out, if you see DIVA applied, you would think they were highlighted women who have that reputation as being quite strict and concerned with themselves. How many of us think of the word ‘diva’ and think of men? I want to turn my attentions to the exhibition, but I want to also explore the music diva.
IN THIS PHOTO: Mariah Carey/PHOTO CREDIT: Dennis Leupold
Among the musical figures who whose image will be seen at the exhibition, there is Elton John, Lizzo, Grace Jones, Whitney Houston, and Billie Holiday. One could think of other musical divas. Maybe Freddie Mercury or Mariah Carey. Again, it is that terminology and definition. You could look at those names and, as there are more women than men, is it about that negative connotation and reframing the narrative? The women included in the exhibition might be seen as divas, but it is more to do with command and control. A strength and personality that is iconic and inspiration. Rather than this being about investigating figures who are self-absorbed or temperamental, this is figures that have that glamour and pizzaz. The V&A exhibition opens on 24th June. Again, if I were to think about what a diva has always been, it would come back to that perception of tantrums and anger. A lot of women in music have had that word associated with them as a negative rather than a positive. Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston were artists I loved growing up who were always labelled as being divas. I have seen that applied to Debbie Harry, Christina Aguilera, and Cher. One could say that the media are actually celebrating the influence and force of nature rather than attacking their temper or attitudes. I disagree. There has been this lingering association that female divas are difficult people that are to be avoided.
IN THIS PHOTO: Freddie Mercury/PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Jennings/Getty Images
I want to give special mention to Rachel Aroesti’s recent article for The Guardian. I have actually seen some articles from male journalists excitedly pointing out that the DIVA exhibition features men – and it is not only about calling women that word. They talk about this as being gender-equal and dispelling sexism. Whilst they have a point that it is not all about women being divas, they need to slow their roll slightly! I am going to finish with a thought, but Aroesti notes how, even though Elton John is included, where are the other men? Indeed, I have mentioned Freddie Mercury. She names Drake. You could also include Justin Timberlake and even Paul McCartney! One might see the female-heavy line-up at the exhibition and feel that this is still an celebrating the diva as being this almost monstrous figure. The type that makes no eye contact with people they feel is inferior. Those that throw a tantrum. It would have been nice to see some more male musicians to go alongside the likes of Grace Jones and Lizzo. I guess people might also associate Madonna as being a diva. Again, it jumping to that negative idea of the diva. The article states how the word is being recontextaulised. Rather than it being about misogyny and sexism, the diva is someone more complex, lovable, and assured. Rather than the diva being stroppy and ridiculous, they are commanding, assured and imbued with some silliness and excess:
“That the diva label is shedding its long-held connotations of misogyny and scorn is a good thing. Initially used to describe leading female opera singers in the late 17th century (the word is Latin for goddess), diva has retained some of that majesty in modern parlance, but has also come to denote a scarily demanding, uber-glam woman who takes self-absorption and entitlement to the next level. As a put-down, it has served as a sibling to bitch; an insult used to keep women who know their own worth in their place.
As the V&A has recognised, part of undermining that sexism involves applying the term to men too – although the museum isn’t exactly going out on a limb with its male divas. The show also features RuPaul, a drag queen who blurs gender boundaries anyway, and Prince, who, with his shimmery purple suits and penchant for heels, was androgynous enough not to have anyone questioning the term too closely. But if Debbie Harry counts, then why not John Lydon – the iconoclast who reinvented pop music twice, wore a series of show-stopping outfits and isn’t exactly known for suffering fools gladly? Or David Bowie, an uncompromising artist who revolutionised masculinity as a construct in the 70s? If Rihanna, why not Drake, with his perfectly manicured beard and tendency to travel with a colossal amount of luggage? Or, if flamboyant clothing is a prerequisite, then what stops Outkast’s André 3000 from being a diva too?
IN THIS PHOTO: André 3000
My personal vote for male diva of the moment goes to Succession’s Kendall Roy, a character who places huge demands on his staff, loves the limelight (see: season two’s eye-watering rap) and throws extravagant birthday parties themed around his own psyche (including a pink inflatable vagina tunnel to represent his birth: so extra!). In fact, Jeremy Strong, the actor who plays Kendall, is a bit of a diva too: in 2021, he revealed that he often refused to rehearse with his cast-mates and practised a form of acting he called “identity diffusion”, statements that were widely ridiculed online.
Forget the gender pay gap: more male divas, that’s real equality! And yet, I’m not sure the diva is the right territory for po-faced progressiveness. In fact, I’m a bit concerned that the V&A’s quest to strip the term of its problematic “difficult woman” connotations – and broadening its definition to mean pioneering, visually striking creators uncowed by doubters – might end up flattening some of the diva’s peculiar charms.
As contemporary internet culture understands, the diva is not supposed to be a wholly serious – or virtuous –proposition. Mariah Carey is cherished online not only for her supreme talent and chronic glitz, but the drop of acid in her baby pink world, and her keen sense of the ridiculous. This is a woman who once said she couldn’t wear flats because “my feet repel them”, and who in the early 00s suggested she’d never heard of rival megastar Jennifer Lopez. In the UK, meanwhile, hun culture – the social media comic subgenre that celebrates the low-brow, low-rent glamour of soap and daytime telly stars – is besotted with a camp but slightly mundane style of diva-dom best personified by ex-Towie star Gemma Collins (her reality series was subtitled: Diva Forever), whose dedication to glam and mercurial, egocentric nature makes her a one-woman meme-machine”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Prince/PHOTO CREDIT: Ebet Roberts/Getty Images
If sources like the Daily Mail sort of missed the point of DIVA and, in selecting their solitary musician they feel should be included went for Mariah Carey (a woman), there will be a few questions asked. I know Prince is an artist who will be included but, if we are taking the diva term away from the misogynistic and negative, then why not create more balance?! On paper at least, it might seem like the V&A celebration is still harking to that perception as the diva being a woman. Them being all about moodiness and unrealistic standards and demands. There may be some of that but, at its heart, this is framing the positives. Aroesti makes some interesting points. She notes that it might not be the right platform to create gender equality. Perhaps, at an exhibition that is meant to be a bit silly and frivolous, it is not the forum for a more serious debate and concern. She discusses the fact that, whilst the intention to dispel the misogynistic and sexist associations with the diva, is a lot of the qualities that make the diva being squashed down? The eccentricity and the camp. For me, it is good that the V&A are celebrating these important figures. They are highlighting women in music (and culture) who have been called divas and it has meant something negative. People never really talk about a male diva in that sense, so it has always felt like a word that is problematic and fails to recognise the women it stigmatises.
IN THIS PHOTO: Lizzo wearing faux-ermine dress with 'Don't Be a Drag Just Be a Queen' sash by Viktor&Rolf, photographed in New York City, 2021/PHOTO CREDIT: Gotham/GC Images/Getty Images
I am not as concerned as Aroesti when it comes to missing out on diving deep into the more peculiar and charming aspects of the diva. For sure, it would be good to explore that side of things, but I think that one of the most important things is taking the notion of the diva and turning it into something celebratory and progressive. It would be nice to see more male artists in the exhibition, but I am pleased that that historical definition of the female diva might change. Alongside including more men in the exhibition, it would be great to have more women in music. Showcasing the power and strength these women have, but also diving deeper. The humour and eccentricity is important. The fashions and that sense of the excessive and flamboyant. That personality that can shift from funny and quote-worthy to sterner and more professional. There is a lot of depth to the diva. In dispelling the misogyny that has always been linked to what a diva is, an expansive redefinition and exploration would be nice. Regardless, it is admirable that there is this focus on the inspirational aspect of these cultural figures. Women who have previously been seen as difficult and terrifying are now brought to life as leaders and pioneering figures. Let’s hope that future generations will not see the diva as difficult and repellent – rather, they are powerful creators that should be cherished and heralded. It is also good that the male diva is being celebrated. If we are included those who are excessive, peculiar at times, have that flamboyance and drama alongside this immense talent and electricity, then they definitely need to be in the conversation. Maybe there will be a future exhibition where there are more men, as it is important that they are recognised. Elton John is almost this leading figure and poster image. He should be joined by a host of other men from music. I am glad that the V&A’s DIVA has its share of male divas, even if they are a bit under-stocked. What is even more important is ensuring that a word that is layered and nuanced should apply to women. That the archaic and offensive definition should be consigned to the history bins! One of the great things about DIVA is that has got us…
IN THIS PHOTO: Billie Holiday at her only ever London appearance at the Albert Hall, in 1954/PHOTO CREDIT: Harry Hammond © Victoria and Albert Museum, London ((this photo will be on display the exhibition)
DISCUSSING and debating.