diva

A diva is a great female opera singer, a prima donna. However the term now is also used to refer an outstanding popular female performer of non-operatic works.

The term was originally used to describe a woman of rare, outstanding talent. It derives from an Italian word, divina meaning "divine" (feminine form), which, in turn derives from the feminine form of a Latin word divus/diva, meaning "divine one." TIME magazine observed in its October 21, 2002, issue: "By definition, a diva was originally used for great female opera singers, almost always sopranos." In mythology, the divas are the lowest forms of divinity, such as the wood nymphs^{[citation needed]}.

In ballet the equivalent of a diva is known as a prima ballerina assoluta.

Negative Connotation

The term often is used with a negative connotation. This derives from the implication that a star who is a "diva" is arrogant, difficult to work with, high-maintenance, manipulative, fussy, high-strung, and/or demanding. Professional actors often use this term to describe someone who desires the stage spotlight over others.

The term "prima donna" has similarly entered common usage with exactly the same negative meaning.

Professional Wrestling

The term Diva is also often used in World Wrestling Entertainment to describe its female performers. This includes both performers who are "eye candy" and those possessing quality in-ring skills.

See also

• VH1 Divas
• Deva
• Laughing Bodies, Eccentric Gestures; Retrospective on Female comics and Divas in the films of the 1910s at the Austrian Film Museum
• Pop Star Divas

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