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Diva: An Illustrated Guide to the Glamorous Personalities of Prima Donnas
From Bette Davis to Beyoncé, Maria Callas to Mariah Carey, this gorgeously illustrated book takes a look at what it means to be a diva.
Originating from the Latin for “deity” or “goddess,” the term “diva” has evolved to become a far more complex—and loaded—term. Delving into public and private personas of performers from Jenny Lind to Sarah Bernhardt, Nina Simone to Rihanna, this book looks at what it means to be a “diva” and how this has been subverted and embraced over time.
Editor Kate Bailey opens the book with an essay on the transformation of the diva from 19th-century opera and stage star to the 20th-century silent screen siren. Six thematic chapters focus on different aspects of “Performing the Diva” looks at how Hollywood icons Elizabeth Taylor and Bette Davis cultivated their personas through their approach to costume and attitude, and how this has been taken up by performers such as Cher, Elton John, and Mariah Carey; “Voice for Change” discusses the political activism of artists such as Billie Holiday and Miriam Makeba; “Status, Power, and Freedom” explores the agency and brand acumen shown by artists including Dolly Parton and Beyoncé; “Rebel Reinvention” touches on the pursuit of radical new ways of performing via the work of Debbie Harry, Madonna, Missy Elliott, Lady Gaga, and others; “Liberating the Diva” considers the way that musicians such as Tina Turner, Freddie Mercury, Grace Jones, and Miley Cyrus have played with expectations for gender and sexuality; and, finally, “All By Myself” examines the tensions between public and private life experienced by the likes of Britney Spears and Liza Minnelli.
Illustrated with more than 100 color photographs of dynamic performance pictures and sumptuous stage costumes, Diva is a look at the glamour, celebrity, fashion, and feminism inherent in being designated a “diva.”
Originating from the Latin for “deity” or “goddess,” the term “diva” has evolved to become a far more complex—and loaded—term. Delving into public and private personas of performers from Jenny Lind to Sarah Bernhardt, Nina Simone to Rihanna, this book looks at what it means to be a “diva” and how this has been subverted and embraced over time.
Editor Kate Bailey opens the book with an essay on the transformation of the diva from 19th-century opera and stage star to the 20th-century silent screen siren. Six thematic chapters focus on different aspects of “Performing the Diva” looks at how Hollywood icons Elizabeth Taylor and Bette Davis cultivated their personas through their approach to costume and attitude, and how this has been taken up by performers such as Cher, Elton John, and Mariah Carey; “Voice for Change” discusses the political activism of artists such as Billie Holiday and Miriam Makeba; “Status, Power, and Freedom” explores the agency and brand acumen shown by artists including Dolly Parton and Beyoncé; “Rebel Reinvention” touches on the pursuit of radical new ways of performing via the work of Debbie Harry, Madonna, Missy Elliott, Lady Gaga, and others; “Liberating the Diva” considers the way that musicians such as Tina Turner, Freddie Mercury, Grace Jones, and Miley Cyrus have played with expectations for gender and sexuality; and, finally, “All By Myself” examines the tensions between public and private life experienced by the likes of Britney Spears and Liza Minnelli.
Illustrated with more than 100 color photographs of dynamic performance pictures and sumptuous stage costumes, Diva is a look at the glamour, celebrity, fashion, and feminism inherent in being designated a “diva.”
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
Published July 11, 2023
11 people want to read
About the author
Kate Bailey
14 books281 followersKate Bailey is an author of steamy, contemporary romance. She believes in romance, happily ever after, putting her characters through emotional turmoil, and love that is smoking hot. She loves a strong, dirty-talking, alpha who goes completely crazy for his woman. Her heroines are strong-willed, sassy women who bring their alpha heroes to their knees.
Kate lives in the middle of nowhere Missouri with her husband, two kids, and one sweet kitty. She spends her days reading and dreaming of the worlds created in her books.
Kate lives in the middle of nowhere Missouri with her husband, two kids, and one sweet kitty. She spends her days reading and dreaming of the worlds created in her books.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 17, 2024
Would be 3.5 if I could. I picked this up at the V and A in London in July. Sadly, I did not prebuy tickets for the exhibit and it was sold out the entirety of the days that I was there. I still got to see a bit of the exhibit on the edges. I think this book would be a pretty good companion piece to the exhibit, a way to remember. The photos are great and of high quality. The book is pretty straight forward with the history of the "Diva", and then various divas through history, racial struggles of divas during segregation, and the continued evolution of the diva.
August 26, 2023
Great photos, but the analysis was a little plodding at times. No Kylie.
October 1, 2023
A great collection of essays that trace the term "Diva" from its origins as a title for an extraordinary opera performer in the 19th century through the negative connotations of the 20th century when it became a criticism of female performers who dared to show pride in their accomplishements to the newest incarnation that defies gender-boundaries and beauty-standards.
All of the essays are very interesting and well written. One that I personally found to be very poignant featured black women in music in the 20th century and today and their fight against racism and sexism. Among other themes there are the image of the diva, costumes and how to deal with an adoring public 24/7.
This is not a item-by-item catalogue for the exhibition at the V&A that it accompanies but rather an additional source of information that features some of the photographs, sketches, costumes etc. I would recommend it for the excellent essays if you are interested in what a diva is, where the term comes from and how it evolved.
All of the essays are very interesting and well written. One that I personally found to be very poignant featured black women in music in the 20th century and today and their fight against racism and sexism. Among other themes there are the image of the diva, costumes and how to deal with an adoring public 24/7.
This is not a item-by-item catalogue for the exhibition at the V&A that it accompanies but rather an additional source of information that features some of the photographs, sketches, costumes etc. I would recommend it for the excellent essays if you are interested in what a diva is, where the term comes from and how it evolved.
April 7, 2025
I love Divas <3
Fijn verzamel boek van fotos en verhalen
Fijn verzamel boek van fotos en verhalen
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews