Diva

Diva is a term used to describe a celebrated female performer, typically a singer, who stands out for exceptional talent, charisma, or both. The word originates from the Italian diva, originally meaning a goddess, and in opera it referred to a leading female singer, often the prima donna. In English, the meaning broadened in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to encompass prominent female vocalists beyond opera, and in contemporary usage can also carry connotations of demanding or flamboyant behavior.

In classical contexts, divas are noted for virtuosity, stage presence, and a repertoire requiring extensive training. The term can be used neutrally or admiringly, but it also carries stereotypes of vanity and temperamental moodiness, especially in popular culture. The concept has permeated film, music, and fashion as an archetype of glamour and artistic authority.

Examples of historical or widely recognized divas include opera stars such as Adelina Patti and Maria Callas, whose impact extended beyond the stage, as well as later pop and R&B figures who are described as divas in media coverage. The label is not restricted to gender; it has occasionally appeared in media as a self-empowering or critical descriptor for female performers with a high degree of control over their careers.

Diva may also refer to works in popular culture, notably the 1981 French-Italian film Diva, directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix, which gained cult status and helped popularize the word outside traditional opera discourse.