In honor of DIVA, we gathered quotes from some of the iconic performers with costumes, accessories, posters, playbills, drawings, photos, videos, or other objects in the exhibition.
DIVA is on view October 4, 2026–January 31, 2027. The Denver Art Museum is the only US venue! Tickets go on sale in August. Become a member for the best price and exclusive members-only events.
It's warts and all in my songs, and I think that's why people can relate to them.
I never took the easy path, always the rough one. But, you know when I took the rough path, I wanted to make it a little easier for those who followed me.
A true diva is graceful and talented, and strong and fearless and brave, and someone with humility.
I will always be as difficult as necessary to achieve the best.
My mother is waiting for me to grow old and settle down and marry a rich man…. I said, 'Mom, I am a rich man. I don’t have to marry one'.
Being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people.
I am an artist and I have the ability and the free will to choose the way the world will envision me. Don’t ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are.
I think performers are all show-offs, anyway, especially musicians. You have to—unless you show off, you're not going to get noticed.
Grace Jones performing at Drury Lane Theatre, Drury Lane, London, 10 October 1981. Photograph @ David Corio
I believe in individuality, that everybody is special, and it’s up to them to find that quality and let it live.
I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams.
No matter how many times I get knocked down, I get back up—even if I’m crawling.
If I'd observed all the rules I'd never have got anywhere.
If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.
When I was 16 I was completely broke and needed to go get a job so I got the Yellow Pages out and I couldn’t find one thing that I wanted to do so I decided I was going to push as hard as I could to be a musician and win at it.
I think women want freedom. They want to be empowered. They want hope. They want all the things I want. That’s why they identify with me.
It takes a long time to get to be a diva. You’ve got to work at it.
We all came into this world naked. The rest is all drag.
A man is a perfectionist. A woman is a pain in the ass.
Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.
If you are unhappy with anything...whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free, your true creativity, your true self, comes out.
