Poster by Julet Chéret advertising La Loïe Fuller at the Folies-Bergère. Paris, 1893. Chromolithograph. Victoria and Albert Museum, London: no. E.112-1921
Our story begins in 1835 when French critic Theophile Gautier used the term diva to describe opera prima donnas. Diva, which means “goddess” in Latin, was used to describe exceptionally talented female performers who were recognized as “reflections of divine feminine power.” This interpretation in some ways diminished the agency of these women by suggesting their gifts were bestowed by God rather than earned through diligent work and mastery of their craft.
Fifty years later in 1883 the Oxford English Dictionary first defined diva as “a distinguished female singer, a prima donna” revealing the roots of the term in the opera divas of the 1800s. By the 1900s, however, we see a shift in how our divas are consumed by their audiences. With the invention of film, performers moved from the stage to the screen. This new technology allowed fans more access to their divas because they were no longer required to see them in person to experience their greatness. The cult of celebrity was born.
But during this period the term “diva” also started to take on a different undertone, one that focused on the divas’ personal lives rather than her talent. Divas who didn’t conform to the rules of the male-dominated studios began to be seen as demanding and difficult. This perception was fueled by gossip magazines that used the divas’ personal stories to gain readers and box office sales. And these misogynist interpretations only grew stronger as women fought for equality and ultimately won the right to vote in 1919.
As recently as 2015, the Oxford English Dictionary updated their definition to reflect these cultural shifts that have fundamentally altered the way we view our divas: “A person, typically a woman, who is self-important, temperamental, and extremely demanding.” But perhaps this simply reveals the double standard that is often applied to women who speak out and stand in their power. As actress Bette Davis retorted, “When a man gives his opinion, he’s a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she’s a bitch.”
Today, the term diva is being reclaimed with many performers—both female and male—embracing what it means to be a diva. Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, captures the essence of a true diva when she shared, “Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people… and your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.” Indeed, the most iconic divas have not only created the soundtracks of our lives but have also used their platforms to bring about social, cultural, and even political change.
Stand in awe of their talent and learn their stories this fall at the Denver Art Museum, the only US venue for DIVA.
