Why labels like ‘high protein’ and ‘low fat’ and other ‘health halos’ can be misleading. Level up work, life, and creativity with world-class online courses from the world’s greatest teachers. Zeinab Badawi heads to Athens to celebrate the centenary of the birth of opera soprano Maria Callas. The “virtuosic” One Battle After Another is “horrifying yet ridiculously funny”.
The musical mountaineers serenading the wilderness
- While Garbo’s reclusiveness might have been perceived by many as snobbish, and her arguments with MGM executives deemed unprofessional, we cannot truly know the reasons behind her actions.
- The trope of the demanding, drama-loving diva is everywhere throughout the history of stage, screen, music and more.
- 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.
- “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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The role leading the renovated Jersey Opera House is advertised with a salary of up to £90,000.
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. 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 Diva asking (UK TV show) Top of The Pops to redecorate her dressing room. At what point are people jumping to use the term diva in place of ‘a woman with boundaries’? Old Hollywood icons like Greta Garbo and Marilyn Monroe have been dubbed ‘divas’, but this term fails to harness any nuance.
From Mariah Carey to Madonna – why divas deserve to be difficult
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. Known as “America’s Sweetheart”, but uncompromising when it came to her career, she broke from the stranglehold of the studio system to co-found production company United Artists, blazing a trail for numerous savvy successors, who have set up their own production companies to tell stories with strong roles for women. A Hollywood star whose diva label has arguably more legs to stand on, at least from an outside perspective, is Bette Davis.
- In 1936, dissatisfied with the unambitious roles offered within her contract to Warner Bros, and earning a salary inferior to her contemporaries, she sued the studio.
- Faced with motor neurone disease (MND), Paul Jameson is reclaiming his voice through opera.
- Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has enjoyed one of the longest careers in operatic history.
- Known for her short temper, love of gossip, and drive for perfection, many people have labelled her a diva.
- I was going to conquer the world.” Her determination for cinematic excellence is outlined here, loud and clear.
The musician explains a heavy moment thinking about the lyrics of a song from his forthcoming album. And if you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called The Essential List. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Worklife and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday.
Frisson: Why music can give you chills or goosebumps
BBC Click visits a simulator lab that allows musicians to practice performance in real-world conditions. Sir Paul McCartney’s childhood home in Liverpool offers a rare glimpse into the early life of a global icon. 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.
Basketball Stars
Known for her short temper, love of gossip, and drive for perfection, many people have labelled her a diva. 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. 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. Davis wrote in her memoir, The Lonely Life, “I have always been driven by some distant music — a battle hymn no doubt — for I have been at war from the beginning. I was going to conquer the world.” Her determination for cinematic excellence is outlined here, loud and clear. For many people, especially during this golden age, seeing a woman act determinedly to achieve success was startling and, quite frankly, enough to earn them the diva label.
Diva: criticism or compliment?
While Garbo’s reclusiveness might have been perceived by many as snobbish, and her arguments with MGM executives deemed unprofessional, we cannot truly know the reasons behind her actions. Bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel is one of the most distinguished opera singers of our age. Her exacting standards underpinned a high-maintenance reputation; she also made no secret of her impoverished upbringing or early career.
