Sketch of Mackie look worn by Cher for the inaugural Rock Music Awards, 1975. Original Artwork by Costume and Fashion Designer, Bob Mackie
Organized thematically, each section of Act II explores a different aspect of what it means to be a diva. We begin with Run the World which highlights global megastars whose influence spans the worlds of art, fashion, film, beauty and above all, philanthropy. Today’s divas, including Dolly Parton, Rihanna, and Beyoncé, aren’t satisfied with conquering only one industry. They are media moguls and branding geniuses taking the world by storm. They dabble in the world of acting, only to win nominations and awards in the process. And they are entrepreneurs with worldwide businesses and use their wealth to give back where it counts. Divas can do it all—in heels.
Act II continues with I Want to Break Free, which features divas who push boundaries to expand the limits of self-expression. Much like early divas of the stage and screen, these performers challenge societal expectations around gender by adopting fluid identities and rejecting rigid beauty standards. Their bold creativity and strong sense of individuality allow us to live out fantasies of what it means to be unapologetically ourselves. Featuring icons including Freddie Mercury, Grace Jones, and Prince, these divas are unafraid to go against the grain and be exactly who they are.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T is a section that explores activism in its truest form. Divas throughout time have used their fame, wealth, and platform to bring awareness to timely social and political issues from global feminism to gay rights and racial equality. Here, we highlight Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin, among other powerful voices of the Civil Rights Movement, who penned protest songs revealing systems of inequality and oppression. While their music was adored by white audiences, these Black performers were often discriminated against in the segregated venues in which they performed. Their bravery continues to inspire generations of activists.
In By Myself we see what it means to navigate the tensions between public persona and private life that plagues many of our divas. In the age of social media, fans feel closer to their divas than ever before as we get curated glimpses at their personal lives. While some divas, like Adele and Sade, manage to keep their private lives out of the line of media scrutiny, others such as Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston tragically succumb to the pressures of fame. It begs the question: is being a diva really worth it?
Express Yourself shows how divas have conquered a range of musical styles from pop to soul, punk to rock, and hip‑hop to rap. These performers don’t fit neatly into a box—they often stretch the limits of musical styles by combining different sounds to create innovative new music. In this section we also explore divas as queens of reinvention. Artists like Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Björk change their aesthetics radically from year to year as they create new and exciting stage personas that allow them to explore different aspects of themselves.
We close the exhibition by highlighting Cher—who may be the ultimate diva—with a series of looks created by her friend and longtime collaborator Bob Mackie. Here we consider what it means to be a true diva. Exceptional talent, dedication, and the pursuit of perfection are just the beginning. Trailblazing divas have paved the way for women everywhere through sheer persistence over the course of their decades-long careers. Their myriads of accomplishments demonstrates their lasting legacy and larger impact on culture and society.
Join us in October to experience these divas up close and personal through spectacular costumes, captivating music videos, and their stories of resilience and determination.
