People have flattered themselves about celebrities and the quirky things they do for centuries. The lifestyle of celebrities has become a fantasy for ordinary people. So why is anyone surprised when female celebrities make unreasonable demands to uplift themselves?
The word ‘diva’, derived from the Italian word ‘goddess’, was first used in English in the late 19th century to describe the main singer of an opera company. These women were treated with the utmost respect, like famed soprano Adelina Patti, who in her heyday was paid more than $5,000 in gold a night with no obligation to come to rehearsal.
From the ’60s and ’70s, female singers were everywhere in the mainstream entertainment industry. Stars like Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin were just some of the women who defined this era. By this time, however, the term “diva” had gone from “goddess” to what Google defines as “an important person who is spirited and difficult to please (typically used for a woman)”.
News outlets and the public have laughed at Streisand for only allowing photos of her “good side,” Mariah Carey for performing her song “Fantasy” during childbirth, Madonna for banning air conditioning in their show venues has, Rihanna for having a private dance floor “wherever she goes,” and countless other women who act similarly.
The media began to criticize all famous women and label them as divas simply because they were confident, although that confidence led audiences to adore them.
For example, Franklin’s hit “Respect” told women that they deserve better than their male partners give them and to respect themselves and each other. In a motivational speech in partnership with Netflix, Parton told the audience directly, “You are enough, and anyone who tells you otherwise is not worth your time.” Just having hits and interviews with Netflix speaks for itself. These women would not be where they are today without demanding that they get there, and the constant criticism of their demands ignores this fact.
While the things that make these women seem bizarre to the not-so-rich and famous, they are just as comparable to the flamboyant performances of similar male stars called “Divos” in 19th-century operatic life. Tom Cruise reportedly demanded cupcakes on gold platters in the middle of the night, and Frank Ocean had hundreds of skaters prepare a routine for months, only to fire them on the day of their Coachella 2023 performance. But men only get a fraction of the hate and criticism. Cruise is celebrated for achieving fame and fortune after facing adversity during his childhood. Even after being banned from the Coachella show, Olympic hockey player Chris Powers continued to praise Ocean, assuring the audience that “…he had a very clear vision, and even though that vision changed a lot, he was always there (the skaters) , help us…”
“Diva is a female version of a hustler,” Beyonce said in her song “I Am… Sasha Fierce,” clapping back at that double standard and proving that the word “divo” will never have the same power over men as “diva.” has about women.
Regardless of its origins in the entertainment industry, the term “diva” has been armed against all women. Any woman in power who knows what she wants can be called a “diva,” while men are lauded for taking control. The alien world of celebs can perfectly mirror our everyday lives, and in order to break down this double standard, we need to rethink how we view and measure those celebrities.
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