Editing Diva

{{Short description|Celebrated female singer}}
{{Other uses}}

[[File:Mariah Carey - Beautiful (Live @ GMA, May 24, 2013).JPG|thumb|American singer [[Mariah Carey]] is often described as an "ultimate diva" by the media for her musical ability as well as her demanding persona.<ref name="time123">{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5622047/mariah-carey-bottle-cap-challenge/|title=Mariah Carey Proves She's a Diva With Bottle Cap Challenge|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=8 July 2019 |access-date=February 19, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/hotel-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-carey-the-ultimate-demanding-diva-529458.html|title=Hotel rolls out the red carpet for Carey, the ultimate demanding diva|date=October 20, 2011|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=February 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name="papermag1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/the-ultimate-diva-mariah-carey-1427528523.html|title=The Ultimate Diva: Mariah Carey|date=March 27, 2015|work=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103145513/https://www.papermag.com/the-ultimate-diva-mariah-carey-1427528523.html|archive-date=November 3, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Rambarran |first=Shara |url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/diva-9781501368257/ |title='Proceed with Caution': Mariah Carey - The Ultimate Diva in Popular Music and Culture? in Diva: Feminism and Fierceness from Pop to Hip-Hop. |publisher=Bloomsbury |others=ed. by Fairclough, K., Halligan, B., Hodges Persley, N., Rambarran., S. |year=2023 |isbn=9781501368257 |location=New York |publication-date=2023}}</ref>]]
'''Diva''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|iː|v|ə}}, {{IPA|it|ˈdiːva|lang}}) is the [[Latin]] word for a goddess. Diva is a name from Roman mythology, and is associated with the nouns divus, diva, which means god, goddess, and the adjective divinius, which means divine or heavenly.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kratka imena koja nisu u top 50, a imaju posebno značenje |url=https://www.index.hr/mame/clanak/kratka-imena-koja-nisu-u-top-50-a-imaju-posebno-znacenje/2586811.aspx |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=www.index.hr |language=hr}}</ref> It has often been used to refer to a celebrated woman of outstanding talent in the world of [[opera]], [[theatre]], [[Film|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 language|Italian]] [[noun]] ''diva'', a female deity. The [[plural]] of the word in English is "divas"; in Italian, ''dive'' {{IPA|it|ˈdiːve|}}. The basic sense of the term is ''[[goddess]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/diva|title=diva &#124; Origin and meaning of diva by Online Etymology Dictionary|website=www.etymonline.com}}</ref><ref>''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine observed in its October 21, 2002, issue: "By definition, a diva was originally used for great female opera singers, almost always [[soprano]]s."</ref> the feminine of the Latin word ''divus'' (Italian ''divo''), someone deified after death, or Latin ''[[deus]]'', a god.<ref>[[John Warrack|Warrack, John]] and West, Ewan (1992), ''The Oxford Dictionary of Opera''</ref>

The male form ''[[Wikt:divo|divo]]'' exists in Italian and is usually reserved for the most prominent leading tenors, like [[Enrico Caruso]] and [[Beniamino Gigli]]. The Italian term ''[[:it:divismo|divismo]]'' describes the [[Star system (filmmaking)|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 film)|Love Everlasting]]'' (1913).<ref>Doane p.125</ref>

An extravagant admiration for divas is a common element of [[Camp (style)|camp]] culture.<ref>[http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/publications/wordisout/archive/04milnes.htm "Vamps, camps and archetypes: gay men, the diva phenomenon and the inner feminine"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904230040/http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/publications/wordisout/archive/04milnes.htm |date=September 4, 2009 }} by Andrew Milnes (2002)</ref>

==Modern usage==
Women are often referred to as divas if they are "difficult, temperamental and demanding".<ref name="divainmedia">{{Cite web|url=https://wno.org.uk/news/diva-criticism-or-compliment|title=Diva: criticism or compliment?|accessdate=January 5, 2022|website=Welsh National Opera (WNO)}}</ref> [[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".<ref name="divainmedia"/> 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".<ref name="divainmedia"/>

Many pop stars have been labelled as divas in the media, including [[Aretha Franklin]],<ref>{{cite web |url = https://hellobeautiful.com/2948669/aretha-franklin-reveals-stunning-weight-loss |title = The Diva Has Returned: Aretha Franklin Reveals Stunning Weight Loss |website = Hello Beautiful |first = Sonya |last = Eskridge |date = July 31, 2017 |access-date = August 4, 2017 }}</ref> [[Ariana Grande]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a32462858/ariana-grande-diva-label-sexism-interview/|title=Ariana Grande Opens Up About How Being Labeled A Diva F*Cked Her 'Up A Little Bit'|accessdate=January 5, 2022|website=ELLE|date=13 May 2020 }}</ref> [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]],<ref name="divainmedia"/> [[Cher]],<ref>{{cite web|ref=none|last=Bogursky|first=Sasha|url= https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/the-voice-recap-chers-diva-antics-exposed-as-contestants-deliver-intense-performances/|title='The Voice' recap: Cher's diva antics exposed as contestants deliver intense performances|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|date=October 16, 2013|access-date=January 18, 2016}}</ref> [[Christina Aguilera]],<ref name="BustleAguilera1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/84356-7-times-christina-aguilera-was-a-diva-in-the-best-way-possible|title=Christina Aguilera's 7 Best Diva Moments|accessdate=July 28, 2021|website=Bustle|date=19 May 2015 }}</ref> [[Diana Ross]],<ref name="divas123"/> [[Tina Turner]],<ref name="divas123"/> and [[Whitney Houston]].<ref name="divas123">{{Cite web|url=https://live365.com/blog/top-10-best-pop-divas/|title=Best Pop Divas of All Time|accessdate=January 5, 2021|website=Live 365|date=August 2018 }}</ref> Additionally, [[Madonna]] and [[Mariah Carey]]<ref name=":0" /> have been called an "ultimate diva" in the press and have often embraced the title as their media persona.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3080045|title=Madonna: An American life|publisher=[[NBC News]]|date=April 29, 2003|access-date=February 27, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/glee-stars-pick-their-favorite-songs-for-all-madonna-episode-50799/|title="Glee" Stars Pick Their Favorite Songs for All-Madonna Episode|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 12, 2009|access-date=February 27, 2022}}</ref><ref name="time123"/><ref name="papermag1"/> Carey herself noted on a podcast with [[Meghan, Duchess of Sussex|Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex]] that today's media "mean you're a successful woman" but also a "[[Bitch (slang)|bitch]]" and that "it's not okay for you to be a boss".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://graziamagazine.com/us/articles/meghan-markle-mariah-carey-achetypes-podcast-diva/|title=Meghan Markle and Mariah Carey Want To Reclaim The Positivity Behind The Word 'Diva'|accessdate=January 2, 2023|website=Grazia|date=31 August 2022 }}</ref> Musicologist Lily E. Hirsch argues that the phrase may be used in a sexist and racist manner when discussing a [[woman of color]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hirsch|first=Lily E.|title=Can't Stop the Grrrls: Confronting Sexist Labels in Pop Music from Ariana Grande to Yoko Ono|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|location=Lanham|year=2023|isbn=9781538169063|pages=146–148}}</ref>

Multiple female artists and bands have also released albums and songs either titled or containing the word "diva". These include [[Annie Lennox]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Zacharek|first=Stephanie|author-link=Stephanie Zacharek|url=https://ew.com/article/1992/05/15/diva-2/|title=''Diva''|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=15 May 1992|access-date=18 July 2021}}</ref> [[En Vogue]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/funky-divas-mw0000082287|title=Funky Divas – En Vogue|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=May 26, 2017|last=Promis|first=Jose F.}}</ref> Beyoncé<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2010/07/12/rap-up-tv-bangladesh-reinvents-kelly-rowland-and-r-kelly/ |title=Rap-Up TV: Bangladesh Reinvents Kelly Rowland And R. Kelly |date=2010-07-12 |access-date=2010-12-10 |work=[[Rap-Up]] |archive-date=2012-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016125403/http://www.rap-up.com/2010/07/12/rap-up-tv-bangladesh-reinvents-kelly-rowland-and-r-kelly/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Sarah Brightman]].{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} English media personality and businesswoman [[Gemma Collins]] is well known for her "diva persona".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/aug/17/diva-forever-can-a-new-reality-show-reveal-the-real-gemma-collins|title=Diva Forever: can a new reality show reveal the real Gemma Collins?|last=Golby|first=Joel|date=17 August 2019|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en|access-date=25 September 2021|archive-date=17 August 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, she released a book titled ''The GC: How to Be a Diva'' and began starring in her own reality television series ''[[Gemma Collins: Diva]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/gw289q/gemma-collins-diva-espana--series-1-episode-1/|title=Gemma Collins: Diva Espana - what time is it on TV?|work=[[Radio Times]]|access-date=8 March 2020|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424203850/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/gw289q/gemma-collins-diva-espana--series-1-episode-1/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishnews.com/arts/2018/07/05/news/towie-s-gemma-collins-i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-be-famous--1372394/|title=A fun read? Towie's Gemma Collins discusses her new guide to being a diva|website=The Irish News|language=en|access-date=2018-10-30|date=5 July 2018|archive-date=30 October 2018|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, [[VH1]] debuted its first annual ''[[VH1 Divas]]'' concert with Carey, Franklin, [[Celine Dion]], [[Gloria Estefan]] and [[Shania Twain]].<ref name="eeee">{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/927843/vh1-divas-live-at-20-a-look-back-at-the-major-music-moment-that-almost-never-happened|title=VH1 Divas Live at 20: A Look Back at the Major Music Moment That Almost Never Happened|accessdate=January 5, 2022|website=E!|date=16 August 2018 }}</ref> Some other artists who performed at later concerts were Whitney Houston, Cher, Tina Turner, Diana Ross and [[Destiny's Child]].<ref name="eeee"/> From April 1999, [[WWE]] used the term "diva" to refer to their female performers.<ref name="Women's Title WrestleMania 32"/> In 2016, they discontinued this term, becoming [[Women in WWE]].<ref name="Women's Title WrestleMania 32">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/32/article/wwe-womens-championship-revealed|title=All-new WWE Women's Championship introduced at WrestleMania|date=April 3, 2016|last=WWE.com|first=Staff|access-date=April 4, 2016|publisher=[[WWE]].com}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Queen bee (sociology)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* [[Mary Ann Doane|Doane, Mary Anne]] (1991). ''Femmes Fatales: Feminism, Film Theory, Psychoanalysis'', Routledge, New York. {{ISBN|978-0-415-90320-2}}.

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary|diva|prima donna}}
*{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2006/feb/04/careers.work|title=Who'd be an Opera diva?|first=John|last=Crace|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=4 February 2006|access-date=17 August 2008}}

{{Opera terms}}

[[Category:Italian opera terminology]]
[[Category:Terms for women]]