Mariah Carey is not bothered by being called a diva. In fact, she likes the word and is proud of it. The pop superstar tells ‘People’ magazine that she defines the word the way it is in the dictionary: "a successful singer, usually a soprano, typically in the opera field." She adds that the second definition, "a difficult woman," does not faze her either.
Carey says that she has heard the word "diva" used in a negative way to shade her and other successful female singers, but she does not take offense to it. She says, "When everybody started talking about ‘diva this, diva that.’ Whatever. It was like, well, are they trying to say it in a bad way or in a good way? So many people that I know that are called ‘divas’ all the time, don't take offense to it. If someone's like, 'The diva, so-and-so.' Who cares? Why is it a big deal? Just take it and be on your merry way.”
Carey, who has sold over 200 million records worldwide and has 19 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, is one of the most successful and influential singers of all time. She is also known for her glamorous and extravagant lifestyle, which has earned her the reputation of being a diva. But Carey says that she is not ashamed of who she is and what she likes. She says, "I love beautiful things. I love to be festive. I love to celebrate life. I love to have fun. And I think that's part of being a diva too."
Carey, who recently released a memoir titled The Meaning of Mariah Carey and a Christmas special on Apple TV+, says that she hopes to inspire other women to embrace their inner diva and to pursue their dreams. She says, "I think being a diva is a positive thing. It means you're confident, you're talented, you're passionate, you're driven. And you don't let anyone stop you from being who you are and doing what you love."
[Source: Classic Hits Today]