A diva is a celebrated female singer. The Italian term is used to describe a woman of rare, outstanding talent in the world of opera, and by extension in theatre and popular music. The meaning of 'diva' is closely related to that of "prima donna".

The basic sense of the term is "Goddess" or "fine lady" and it derives from the Latin 'divus' meaning 'divine'.

Great singers who have been hailed as divas include Jenny Lind, Adelina Patti, Rosa Ponselle, Maria Callas, Beverly Sills, Joan Sutherland, Renata Tebaldi, Renata Scotto and Mirella Freni.

Negative connotation

The term is often used with a negative connotation. This derives from the implication that a star who is a "diva" is arrogant, difficult to work with, high-maintenance, manipulative, fussy, highly strung, privileged and demanding. He or she does not believe the law and accepted rules of courtesy apply to him or her. Professional singers and actors often use this term to describe someone who desires the stage spotlight over others. The term "prima donna" has similarly entered common usage with exactly the same negative meaning, likewise the ballet equivalent prima ballerina.

Celebrities

Actress Paris Hilton has been described as the "biggest diva in Hollywood" according to at least one source, LetsGoDigital 1.

In the African American community

In the African American community the word "diva" is often used to describe a female singer of powerful presence. Billie Holiday, Tina Turner, Beyonce Knowles, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith, Diana Ross, Mahalia Jackson, and Pearl Bailey have all been referred to as divas.

In gay iconography

The gay male community has adopted the word "diva" to describe many female gay icons known for their strong presence. Among women often labeled as divas are Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Gloria Estefan, Dusty Springfield,Kathy Griffin,Tina Turner, Margaret Cho, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Mónica Naranjo and Taborah. Although related to the African American community's definition of diva, gay icon divas are not all necessarily singers.

Professional wrestling

The term diva is also often used in World Wrestling Entertainment to describe its more well-known female performers, such as Trish Stratus, Candice Michelle, Melina Perez and Torrie Wilson.

Anime and games

Diva was also the name of the primary antagonist of the popular Japanese anime show Blood +. Diva is also an amazing opera singer, which may or may not be a coincidence, but still played a great deal into the plot line of the series.

External links

• Diva Opera
• Divas Spanish Operatic pop Divas website (Spanish)
• DivasTheSite.com Opera Divas Page
• Guardian.co.uk John Crace: Who'd be an Opera diva? February 4 2006, accessed 17 August 2008
• Laughing Bodies, Eccentric Gestures; Retrospective on female comics and Divas in the films of the 1910s at the Austrian Film Museum
• The New-Diva Disease; TIME Magazine article