Located in the heart of West London, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has long been revered as a sanctuary for design, performance, and artistic legacy. Known for its vast collections spanning applied arts, textiles, costume, and design innovation, it consistently curates exhibitions that challenge perceptions and highlight narratives that deserve renewed attention. Currently, the museum is hosting a landmark show titled DIVA, an exploration into the layered, powerful identity of the diva in popular culture—from the operatic stages of the 19th century to today's global icons.
A Cultural Tribute to Visionary Performers
Running until 7 April 2024, DIVA at the Victoria and Albert Museum is far more than an ordinary exhibition—it is a sensory and intellectual voyage through the legacy of iconic performers who have left an indelible mark on culture. Situated in the heart of London’s South Kensington, the V&A’s grand galleries have been transformed into a tribute to artistic courage, creative autonomy, and transformative performance. With over 250 artifacts gathered from the museum’s extensive archives and international lenders, this exhibition is a vivid meditation on the power of individuality and expression.
The narrative of DIVA unfolds through a rich tapestry of fashion, music, photography, stage presence, and activism. It doesn't merely spotlight beauty and celebrity; it goes deeper, offering insight into how these performers have used their platforms to challenge societal expectations, carve out space in male-dominated industries, and influence public consciousness on a global scale. Their personas are not just expressions of artistry—they are defiant declarations of presence in a world often reluctant to listen.
Through thoughtful curation and storytelling, DIVA delves into how performance transcends entertainment, becoming a force for change. These divas are not passive icons but strategic, ambitious figures who wield their voice, style, and story to push cultural boundaries. From the dramatic operatic stages of the 19th century to today’s social media-driven stardom, each room in the exhibition reaffirms the notion that the diva is not just a performer but a revolutionary.
Iconic Artifacts That Speak Volumes
Among the luminous displays, visitors will discover a trove of rare, historically significant garments and artifacts that have seldom or never been displayed in the United Kingdom. These costumes do not merely reflect fashion—they are steeped in symbolism, sewn with threads of rebellion, refinement, and resilience. Each piece embodies the emotion, context, and era of the diva who wore it, serving as a vivid reminder of how personal style can evolve into public statement.
One of the most captivating garments on display is the gown worn by Maria Callas during the Covent Garden Opera Company’s 1952 production of Norma. The dress, majestic and regal, mirrors Callas’ soaring vocal dynamism and her dramatic stagecraft. It encapsulates the essence of operatic divadom—extravagance underpinned by raw talent and emotional vulnerability. Standing before it, one feels the spiritual weight of Callas’ legacy and the grandeur of her performances.
Equally magnetic is the black fringed dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in the timeless film Some Like It Hot. This piece is more than a costume—it is a cultural artifact. It captures Monroe at the intersection of cinematic seduction and comedic brilliance, affirming her place as both a fashion icon and a pioneer of on-screen sensuality during a time of conservative mores.
The dress worn by silent film star Clara Bow offers a glimpse into the nascent days of stardom and screen charisma. As one of the first actresses to be dubbed an "It Girl," Bow’s attire reveals how early cinema shaped the foundations of fame, femininity, and public fascination.
Visitors are also drawn to the flamboyant Louis XIV-inspired ensemble worn by Elton John for his 50th birthday—a piece that stuns with its theatrical scale and lavish detail. Designed by Sandy Powell, it features a towering powdered wig and a sumptuous trailing cape, a celebration of self-expression that transcends fashion and becomes a visual manifesto of artistic freedom.
On the other end of the stylistic spectrum is Shirley Bassey’s pink Glastonbury gown paired with diamanté-studded wellington boots. This unexpected combination merges haute couture with festival grit, showcasing Bassey’s timeless ability to blend elegance with irreverence. It reminds viewers that divadom is not about conforming to expectations but about mastering the art of reinvention.
Perhaps the most provocatively modern item in the collection is Janelle Monáe’s “vulva pants” from the Pynk music video. Created by designer Duran Lantink, these sculptural trousers make a bold, unapologetic feminist statement. They exemplify how contemporary divas use fashion as a medium for social commentary and identity politics.
Bridging Spectacle and Substance
These garments are thoughtfully juxtaposed with a curated selection of ephemera: original handwritten song lyrics, vintage concert posters, annotated scripts, and personal objects that reveal the inner workings of stardom. While the visual splendor of the costumes draws the eye, it’s these intimate inclusions that provide emotional texture and narrative depth. They highlight the unseen labor behind every dazzling performance—the rehearsals, the writing, the crafting of a persona.
One can find artifacts that explore the entrepreneurial side of these artists: branding blueprints, merchandise samples, and media strategies that demonstrate how divas have not only shaped culture but also built empires. This layer of the exhibition emphasizes that behind every great performer is a brilliant strategist, someone who knows how to build mythologies, harness visibility, and sustain influence.
Photographic works by acclaimed image-makers such as Sheila Rock and Nick Knight punctuate the exhibit, capturing divas in moments of raw vulnerability and magnetic power. These portraits do not merely document—they elevate, often turning fleeting performance into immortal iconography.
The exhibition also includes a dedicated video wall that pays homage to the world of drag, an art form that has long paid tribute to—and evolved alongside—the diva identity. Drag performers have both parodied and exalted divas, acting as cultural mirrors that reflect and reimagine the personas of their idols. This segment illustrates the cyclical nature of influence, where inspiration flows between the stage and the street, from spotlight to subculture.
Performance as a Vehicle for Transformation
At its core, DIVA challenges visitors to rethink the role of the performer in society. Far from being mere entertainers, the individuals featured here are cultural architects—people who have used their talent and visibility to disrupt, redefine, and reimagine norms. They embody the nexus where creativity meets courage, where elegance meets provocation.
Whether it’s through Callas’ operatic magnetism, Monroe’s vulnerable sensuality, Bassey’s glamorously defiant voice, or Monáe’s avant-garde declarations, each performer featured in the exhibition has manipulated aesthetics not just to captivate but to communicate. Their art carries subtext, their style holds power, and their choices have sparked movements. The diva is not a static icon; she is a catalyst.
What makes this exhibition particularly resonant in today’s world is its relevance to contemporary issues. Themes of gender identity, racial justice, body politics, and digital visibility are all embedded in the fabric of divadom. In an age where self-expression is both policed and politicized, the diva remains a potent symbol of resistance, a figure unafraid to take up space and command attention on her own terms.
Through its seamless blending of spectacle and substance, DIVA reminds us that true artistry cannot be separated from authenticity. These performers have not only reflected their times—they have defined them. They show that to be a diva is not to demand attention frivolously, but to demand dignity, voice, and agency in a world that often offers none of the above without a fight.
The Vision Behind the Exhibit
The DIVA exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum represents the culmination of years of curatorial reflection, academic inquiry, and artistic admiration. At the heart of this grand and thoughtfully crafted showcase is curator Veronica Castro, who, alongside her team, helped conceptualize and realize this intricate homage to the female performer. The story of DIVA began quietly in 2017, during the planning and execution of the V&A’s Opera: Passion, Power and Politics exhibition, helmed by senior curator Kate Bailey. It was there that the seed of a future concept was planted.
While examining the operatic landscape, Bailey became enthralled by the commanding presence and creative intensity of the women who had once dominated opera stages. These women were not just exceptional vocalists—they were mythic figures in their own right, using their voices, costumes, and personalities to challenge societal boundaries and inhabit roles with unmatched power. Their brilliance, both on stage and off, sparked a larger consideration: what if their legacy—and that of those who followed—could be reframed not simply as a sequence of performances, but as a cultural evolution?
From that point, Bailey and Castro began crafting the intellectual architecture of what would eventually become DIVA. Over the following years, they launched an expansive and meticulous research process that stretched across centuries, cultures, and artistic forms. The journey led them from the candlelit opera houses of 19th-century Europe to contemporary arenas lit by strobe lights and social media hashtags. Every step was guided by one central aim—to spotlight how the female performer, and ultimately the diva, has used her visibility as both shield and sword.
Veronica Castro emphasizes that the project’s strength lies in its breadth. Rather than narrowing the definition of the diva to one discipline or era, the exhibition embraces performers from opera, cinema, cabaret, popular music, and even drag. This openness allows for a multi-layered exploration that resists categorization. In doing so, it gives voice to a phenomenon that is as culturally profound as it is performative.
Curating a Cross-Cultural Narrative
The decision to approach DIVA through a thematic rather than chronological lens marks a pivotal curatorial choice. Instead of constructing a linear timeline, the exhibition unfolds through overlapping narratives: empowerment, transformation, resilience, rebellion, and spectacle. These themes transcend traditional boundaries and allow for nuanced intersections between time periods and identities.
Research for the exhibit involved not only deep dives into archives but also consultations with global collectors, artists, and institutions. The curatorial team faced practical challenges—locating fragile historical garments, negotiating international loans, and preserving delicate materials for display—but they were driven by a sense of responsibility to honor the integrity and significance of each piece.
Each artifact included in DIVA was selected not simply for its aesthetic appeal, but for the story it tells. Whether it is a meticulously embroidered opera gown or a pair of futuristic performance boots, each item becomes a vessel for history, emotion, and message. Veronica Castro speaks of the process as one that was equal parts historical preservation and emotional curation. The goal was not only to display but to evoke—to make audiences feel the grandeur, the ambition, and sometimes the vulnerability behind each performance.
The exhibit acknowledges that performance is inherently collaborative and multilayered. While it often centers on a single figure under the spotlight, it also reflects the hands of costume designers, choreographers, stylists, photographers, and fans. Castro and her team aimed to encapsulate the many forces that shape the diva—economic, political, aesthetic—and reveal how those forces have changed over time, often in tandem with shifts in gender roles, technology, and global power dynamics.
An Evolution of Empowerment
The term diva has undergone a radical transformation throughout its history. Derived from the Latin word for "goddess," it originally signified divine, almost untouchable talent, often attributed to revered opera singers. These women were seen as spiritual conduits of emotion, capable of invoking catharsis and awe in audiences across the globe. Their status was sacred. However, as the term migrated beyond the opera house, its meaning was twisted and diluted.
By the late 20th century, diva had become a double-edged word—used alternately to admire and to belittle. It was no longer just a nod to artistic excellence, but often a veiled critique aimed at women who were assertive, particular, or unwilling to conform. It became a tool of cultural control, reinforcing gendered expectations and punishing those who broke them.
The DIVA exhibition sets out to reclaim and recontextualize the term. Through its curated pieces, multimedia presentations, and contextual storytelling, the show makes a compelling argument for the diva as a figure of artistic sovereignty and social significance. She is not “difficult”—she is discerning. She is not “demanding”—she is determined. She is not a relic of the past but a blueprint for the future.
By tracing the changing semantics of diva, the exhibition highlights how language, like fashion, can be politicized. It underscores the importance of agency—how divas throughout history have wrested control over their narratives, their image, and their influence. From silent film stars to Grammy winners, from queens of opera to pioneers of gender-bending stage performance, the diva emerges not as a stereotype but as a symbol of power reclaimed.
Relevance in a Contemporary Landscape
One of the exhibition’s greatest achievements is its timely resonance. In an era defined by digital immediacy, curated self-images, and a global hunger for authenticity, the modern diva operates at the nexus of artistry and identity. Today’s divas are not only performers but entrepreneurs, activists, and architects of their own mythologies. They leverage visibility to advocate for change, challenge oppressive systems, and shape new forms of cultural expression.
The exhibition does not shy away from the complexities of modern fame. It acknowledges the pressures, expectations, and surveillance that today’s artists face, particularly women and queer performers. Yet it also celebrates how many have navigated these challenges with ingenuity and grace. Figures like Beyoncé, Lizzo, and Janelle Monáe are not just selling records—they are selling ideas, ideals, and visions of inclusive futures.
Moreover, DIVA expands the lens to include male and non-binary performers whose aesthetics and performances draw from diva traditions. These inclusions speak to a broader truth: divadom is not confined by biology but defined by intention, expression, and impact. It is an evolving cultural identity that reflects shifting values in fashion, performance, and politics.
The exhibition’s curatorial message is both clear and empowering. The diva of today is not just a figurehead but a force. She is multi-dimensional, multitalented, and often multi-platform. Whether belting from the opera stage, delivering monologues on film, or igniting discourse on social media, she shapes the zeitgeist in real-time.
DIVA at the V&A ultimately honors the power of individuality and the beauty of self-assertion. It invites viewers to step beyond passive admiration and consider the deeper implications of fame, femininity, performance, and resistance. In doing so, it leaves a lasting impression—not just of glamorous costumes and iconic voices, but of what it truly means to be seen, heard, and remembered.
More Than Chronology: A Thematic Narrative
Unlike conventional exhibitions that lead visitors through a strict chronological path, the DIVA exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum offers a dynamic thematic structure that allows for a richer, more immersive journey. This curatorial decision reimagines how audiences experience historical progression—not through a rigid timeline but through recurring themes that transcend eras. The result is a layered narrative that celebrates individuality, transformation, and resistance in all their forms.
Upon entering the exhibition, visitors are introduced to the foundational concept of the diva as it emerged in 19th-century European opera. These early performers were not only exceptional vocalists but cultural symbols—icons of femininity, drama, and artistry. Their power lay not only in their voices but in their commanding presence, setting a precedent for the generations of performers who would follow. From this historical starting point, the exhibition expands in scope and ambition, leading attendees through interconnected rooms that explore themes such as transgression, spectacle, identity, and activism.
Rather than isolating each performer in their respective era, DIVA places them in conversation with one another across time and genre. The narrative draws links between figures separated by centuries but united by their audacity, their command of the stage, and their refusal to conform. This approach allows visitors to understand how divadom is not a fixed point but a continuum—an ever-evolving identity molded by cultural shifts and personal expression.
A particularly resonant portion of the exhibit centers around the 1960s, a period of immense social upheaval that reshaped global perceptions of gender, race, and power. Within this context, the diva identity underwent a dramatic transformation. No longer merely objects of admiration, divas began using their platforms to speak truth to power. Artists like Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin stood at the forefront of this revolution. Simone’s haunting renditions of protest anthems and Franklin’s bold declarations of independence transformed them into beacons of both artistic excellence and political resistance. Their work was not entertainment alone—it was activism through performance.
As the exhibition progresses, visitors are invited to explore how divas have consistently aligned themselves with progressive causes, from feminist movements to LGBTQ+ rights. They have become cultural avatars through which society explores its most urgent questions. The thematic approach allows the exhibition to highlight these moments with clarity and depth, illustrating how every feathered gown, fiery lyric, or rebellious stage gesture is part of a larger social dialogue.
Curating the Spirit Behind the Spectacle
Bringing such a monumental exhibition to life required extraordinary effort and precision. According to curator Veronica Castro, the process of assembling DIVA was as intricate and theatrical as the performers it seeks to honor. From conceptual vision to physical installation, every stage demanded deep collaboration, intensive research, and curatorial daring.
The team began by identifying the most resonant voices and artifacts from an expansive historical archive. Rather than limiting the exhibition to the most obvious or mainstream figures, the curators sought a blend of icons and lesser-known trailblazers. This ensured a broad and inclusive representation of what it means to be a diva, crossing boundaries of geography, medium, and gender expression. Archival research extended across continents and centuries, digging into museum holdings, private collections, and estate archives to uncover the items that would embody the exhibition’s themes.
Securing these artifacts, however, came with its own challenges. The curators had to navigate complex logistics, from negotiating international loans to ensuring that fragile, sometimes centuries-old materials could withstand transport and exhibition conditions. Each object was assessed not only for its visual impact but for its narrative relevance. A costume or prop had to tell a story—one that deepened the exhibition’s themes and illuminated the personality behind the public image.
Castro emphasized that garments hold energy. A dress worn during a groundbreaking performance is not just fabric—it’s a conduit of memory and moment. Placing such pieces in context with audio recordings, video footage, and written commentary amplifies their emotional and historical resonance. One finds themselves not just looking at a costume, but almost inhabiting a moment in cultural history. The past does not feel distant—it feels immediate and alive.
The curation process also required careful aesthetic decisions. The spatial layout of the exhibition was designed to evoke the grandeur and drama synonymous with divadom. Each room offers a different mood, from intimate to flamboyant, guiding the visitor through a sensory experience that reflects the diversity of the divas themselves. The lighting, audio design, and wall text are all part of the storytelling, choreographed to echo the rhythm and dynamism of a live performance.
Exploring Influence Beyond the Stage
A vital dimension of DIVA is how it highlights the impact of these performers beyond the entertainment industry. The exhibition does not isolate the diva as a musician, actress, or singer; it presents her as a cultural architect—someone who has actively shaped public discourse, aesthetic norms, and social values. In every generation, divas have acted as catalysts, pushing boundaries and generating dialogue around identity, freedom, and power.
The exhibition reveals how many divas became entrepreneurs and brand-builders long before celebrity branding was common. They cultivated their images through calculated style choices, media engagement, and fan interaction. From the meticulous media strategies of Cher to the visual storytelling of Madonna’s music videos, the diva became a master of personal mythology, blending performance and authenticity in a way that blurred the line between the stage and real life.
Modern divas like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga have inherited and reinvented this legacy. They are not only artists but directors of their own narratives, orchestrating every element of their public persona. They use their platforms for advocacy, addressing topics like police brutality, gender inequality, mental health, and body autonomy. DIVA gives space to these intersections, showing how modern performers are reshaping what cultural leadership looks like.
Importantly, the exhibition acknowledges that the concept of the diva is no longer confined to women alone. Performers across the gender spectrum who channel the same unapologetic self-expression and commitment to transformation are recognized and celebrated. This inclusive vision affirms that divadom is not about gender—it is about force of presence and clarity of purpose.
The Lasting Power of Narrative Reclamation
Ultimately, DIVA is an exhibition about reclamation—of identity, of language, and of legacy. It dares to rescue a word often used to diminish and elevate it to its rightful stature. In doing so, it crafts a compelling new understanding of power: one that comes from self-definition, creative boldness, and the courage to be seen.
The thematic structure invites a deep emotional and intellectual engagement, allowing visitors to reflect not just on the performers showcased but on broader issues of representation and voice. It raises questions that echo far beyond the museum’s walls: What does it mean to be powerful? Who gets to be heard? How do we celebrate brilliance without trying to control or contain it?
The impact of DIVA is likely to be long-lasting. Not only does it provide an immersive exploration of iconic figures, but it also shifts the cultural lens through which we view celebrity, performance, and influence. It creates space for a new generation of divas—artists, activists, storytellers—who will continue to expand and redefine what it means to command a stage, a spotlight, or a social movement.
In doing so, the exhibition becomes more than an archival presentation. It becomes an anthem. A living, evolving homage to those who dared to speak louder, shine brighter, and stand taller—who dared to be divas.
Redefining What It Means to Be a Diva
The DIVA exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum reopens a conversation that has often been dismissed or simplified: what does it actually mean to be a diva in today’s world? The answer is both expansive and deeply transformative. While the word once carried the weight of reverence—reserved for operatic legends with celestial voices—it gradually morphed into a term frequently used to criticize women for being outspoken, confident, or particular. This exhibition dismantles those pejorative associations and replaces them with a powerful contemporary understanding of the diva as a visionary force—unbound by gender and defined by courage, artistry, and agency.
In today’s cultural landscape, the diva is no longer a one-dimensional figure cloaked in drama. She—or he, or they—is multifaceted, driven, and fiercely intentional. This reimagining of the term elevates it from tabloid cliché to a title of distinction. These are individuals who possess an undeniable presence, a gravitational pull that comes not from arrogance but from authenticity and unshakable conviction. They excel in their chosen crafts, whether it's music, fashion, performance, or multimedia artistry, and they do so while simultaneously reshaping the environments in which they operate.
Veronica Castro, one of the exhibition’s curators, underscores that today’s divas are leaders. Their influence extends far beyond the stage or screen. They construct entire ecosystems around their art—enterprises that blend creativity with commerce, passion with precision. Rihanna, for instance, has fused her musical success with global entrepreneurship, redefining beauty standards and building an inclusive empire. Janelle Monáe merges futuristic aesthetics with pointed political commentary, making her performances not just artistic expressions but declarations of identity and liberation. Beyoncé's career, an ongoing masterclass in reinvention and control, challenges the traditional frameworks of fame and ownership.
In all these cases, the contemporary diva exemplifies balance: between performance and production, public life and private identity, vulnerability and command. Their existence is not accidental—it’s a deliberate orchestration of narrative, visual identity, and cultural influence. They are not merely shaped by the zeitgeist—they are its authors.
The Architecture of Power and Presence
The power of the modern diva lies in their ability to navigate and challenge the systems that have historically attempted to define or confine them. They are experts at curating presence—whether on stage, on social platforms, or in the broader cultural consciousness. This presence is not simply about visibility; it's about resonance, about how their voices echo through issues far greater than entertainment. The diva today is a cultural commentator, a political actor, a brand strategist, and a curator of aesthetics.
Central to this new definition is mastery—not just of art, but of self. The diva understands her or his image is a tool, a form of expression that can be deployed, withheld, or transformed at will. This level of control is essential, particularly in an age when digital media has rendered privacy rare and constant performance expected. The modern diva knows how to be seen and unseen, how to direct the gaze while protecting the self behind it.
This understanding of presence connects today’s divas with their predecessors in new and profound ways. Just as opera stars like Maria Callas or stage legends like Shirley Bassey once wielded their image and voice to command awe, contemporary figures do the same with new technologies and platforms. They engage with fans in real time, participate in global conversations, and craft movements that extend beyond traditional performance venues.
Moreover, this presence often comes with risk. Speaking out on social issues, embracing nonconformity, or owning one's identity publicly can provoke backlash. Yet, the diva continues. Not out of provocation, but out of necessity. Because their very existence, lived out loud and unapologetically, becomes a form of resistance. Their power lies not only in their success but in their refusal to be silenced or simplified.
Fluidity and Inclusion in Diva Culture
While the diva has long been associated with powerful women, one of the most revelatory aspects of the exhibition is its embrace of gender fluidity and non-binary expression. Today, the essence of divadom is not confined by biological or societal definitions. The diva is a symbol of expansive identity, able to embody the divine, the disruptive, and the transformative all at once.
Elton John, a longstanding icon of theatricality and flamboyance, exemplifies how male performers have historically tapped into diva energy. His elaborate stage costumes, unapologetic self-presentation, and boundary-pushing aesthetic align him with the lineage of divas who use appearance as performance and spectacle as message. He doesn’t impersonate femininity—he redefines it in his own image, blurring the binaries that once separated the masculine from the glamorous.
Drag culture, too, is celebrated within DIVA as a living, breathing tribute to divadom. Drag performers do not merely imitate iconic women; they exaggerate, reinterpret, and elevate the diva archetype, creating something both reverent and radically original. In doing so, they reveal the malleability of the diva persona—it is not a fixed identity but a vessel, capable of holding complexity, contradiction, and evolution.
This celebration of inclusion speaks to the broader shifts in contemporary society’s understanding of gender, identity, and representation. It acknowledges that power, beauty, and brilliance are not owned by any one group. The diva becomes a universal figure—a mirror through which anyone can see their boldest, truest self reflected.
By removing the gendered limitations historically placed on the term, DIVA allows for a richer, more diverse portrayal of artistic excellence. The exhibition affirms that anyone who claims their voice, commands attention with intention, and uses their platform to inspire can inhabit the role of the diva. This redefinition is not just progressive—it is essential in a world where self-expression is increasingly politicized and performative boundaries are constantly shifting.
A Blueprint for the Future of Influence
As we look ahead, the modern diva offers a roadmap for navigating a complex cultural landscape. Their tools—creativity, autonomy, empathy, and visibility—are not just strategies for success but frameworks for influence. They remind us that art is not separate from politics, and performance is not separate from personal truth.
What the DIVA exhibition so powerfully demonstrates is that divas shape the zeitgeist not because they conform to it, but because they challenge and reimagine it. They dare to be loud in a world that rewards quiet. They dare to be themselves in systems that often demand masks. In doing so, they grant permission to others to do the same.
Future divas may come from corners of the world not yet lit by global spotlight. They may speak new languages, invent new genres, and challenge even the current norms of fame and visibility. But the qualities that define them will remain constant: fearless creativity, uncompromising identity, and the power to connect through story and presence.
The exhibition doesn’t just celebrate past and present figures—it beckons the emergence of new ones. It suggests that divadom is not an elite circle but an invitation. It is open to anyone who has the courage to stand in their full truth, to move people through artistry, and to use their influence to shift consciousness.
Empowering the Next Wave of Artists
Castro sees the modern diva not just as an entertainer but as a beacon. For young creatives, divas are aspirational figures who represent the power of individuality, persistence, and fearless authenticity. In an era when creative careers often intersect with activism and advocacy, divas are showing what it means to lead with both style and substance.
Their global platforms allow them to set cultural agendas, amplify marginalized voices, and forge new pathways in art, fashion, and social discourse. These artists are proof that influence need not dilute integrity—and that commercial success can coexist with radical impact.
Sound as a Sensory Anchor
Music plays an integral role in the exhibition’s emotional resonance. Visitors don’t just walk through rooms; they are enveloped by the soundscapes of divas in full command of their voice. From soaring arias to protest anthems and pop power ballads, the aural dimension transforms the museum into a temple of performance, intimacy, and transcendence.
The use of music was a deliberate curatorial choice, ensuring that the voices that define this story are not just seen through costume and image—but heard and felt.
Digital Empowerment and Fan Mobilization
Social media has revolutionized how audiences interact with celebrities, and divas in particular. Through platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, fans can connect directly with their idols and form global communities around shared admiration.
Castro notes that fan culture is now a powerful ecosystem. Online communities advocate for their chosen stars, amplify their messaging, and help shape public perception. These digital spaces offer immediacy, intimacy, and an amplified form of advocacy, giving modern divas unprecedented reach and influence.
What Lies Ahead for the Modern Diva
As we look toward the future, the figure of the diva is poised for further transformation. With new technologies, shifting societal norms, and ever-evolving creative landscapes, the next generation of divas will likely emerge from even more diverse backgrounds and forms of expression.
According to Castro, the possibilities are boundless. Divas are no longer limited by genre, medium, or even industry. They might lead cultural movements, build media empires, or enter political life. As she notes with a knowing smile, “If a reality star can become president, why not a diva?”
Visit DIVA at the V&A
DIVA is open at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London until 7 April 2024. The museum is open from 10:00 to 17:45 daily, with extended hours until 22:00 on Fridays. Entry to the museum is free, but tickets for the exhibition are £20 and complimentary for V&A members.
This is more than an exhibition—it's a sensory, intellectual, and emotional journey through performance, rebellion, identity, and expression. DIVA invites you to witness the spirit of artistic courage and to reconsider what it truly means to be a star.
Final Thoughts
As the DIVA exhibition at the V&A so powerfully illustrates, the diva is far more than an entertainer or a celebrity—she is a cultural force, an archetype of unapologetic expression, and a beacon of transformation. This immersive journey through the histories, wardrobes, and voices of divas past and present offers a lens into how art and identity collide to shape the world around us.
One of the most compelling takeaways from the exhibition is the sheer resilience behind the glamour. Behind every gown, performance, and persona is a story of grit—of overcoming societal pressures, of challenging gender norms, of navigating fame while refusing to be silenced or simplified. Whether it’s through subversive fashion, fearless lyricism, or political activism, divas have used their platforms to demand visibility and drive change. This is a celebration not only of style but of stamina and strategy. These artists are masters of self-reinvention, branding, and narrative control long before such terms were mainstream.
Equally powerful is the exhibition’s inclusive and evolving understanding of who and what a diva can be. By showcasing male and non-binary performers who channel the same bold energy, it expands the term beyond its traditional boundaries, underscoring that divadom is not limited by gender—it’s defined by impact. This inclusivity reflects the changing values of society and affirms that authenticity, not conformity, is what truly earns someone diva status.
As audiences move through the vibrant galleries, accompanied by the sounds and stories of iconic performers, they are invited to reflect on how these figures have influenced not just pop culture but our collective imagination. Today’s divas are not just products of fame—they are producers of history, redefining success on their own terms. In an age where individuality is both celebrated and scrutinized, the diva remains a symbol of defiance, creativity, and conviction.
Ultimately, the DIVA exhibition doesn’t just pay tribute to performers—it invites visitors to consider their own power. To be a diva, in the truest sense, is to embrace one’s voice, vision, and value without apology. And in that, there is a lesson for us all.
