Beyoncé tells us that a 'diva is a female version of a hustler.' But what she doesn't tell us is what it takes to be a TRUE diva. So now STOP THE TRACK--let me state facts! Check out the TOP FIVE to make a diva come alive!
To all the ladies in the place with...
1. STYLE and grace
This is the most obvious trait of a diva.
"Style is a magic wand, and it turns everything to gold that it touches."
~Logan Pearsall Smith
Beyoncé at "Notorious" movie premiere in New York City
Just like hubby Jay-Z said, 'You can pay for school, but you can't buy...'
2. CLASS
"Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky. Class has nothing to do with money. Class never runs scared. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge. It's the sure footedness that comes with having proved you can meet life." ~Ann Landers
IMAN photo'd here with David Bowie
3. AMBITION
Plain and simple, divas have drive....
Take for instance a few of our spotlight divas: BEYONCÉ (hello!), MARIAH (hello!), not to mention diva-licious TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey. Let's not forget her protégé, Tyra Banks, who has also accomplished a number of 'firsts.' These women are divas on so many different levels, and nothing short of admirable. Keep it coming, divas!
...and when these two divas aren't working hard...
THEY'RE OUT TOGETHER PARTYING IN ST. BART'S!!!! :o)
Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks4. PHILANTHROPY
To all of my little divas-in-training--it's not always about YOU. As defined, philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, services, time and/or effort to support a socially beneficial cause.
By way of illustration, Alicia Keys, a true diva herself and an honorary member of the esteemed sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., is notably the ambassador for Keep a Child Alive. She has travelled to countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa, speaking to teens and young adults who have been directly impacted by the AIDS epidemic. She is the poster child of what it means to give back to one's community. Diva or no diva, we should all applaud Alicia Keys for her efforts and contributions to [hu]mankind.
Alicia Keys hosts the Keep a Child Alive Charity Ball in London.
Money means nothing if you don't have anyone to share it with, right? Well, Beyoncé donated a whopping $4 million dollar salary from her role in Cadillac Records to help Phoenix House, an American drug treatment organization that runs 98 residential and outpatient rehab programs throughout the United States, and treats over 5000 addicts a day.
Last but not least (and I bet you didn't see this one coming)...
5. ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT
"I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, MAN!"~Jay-Z
This is a recent trend that has hit the entertainment world by storm! But move over big boys! The divas are taking over! From trendy clothing lines like "Baby Phat," "The House of Dereon," "Fetish," and "Just Sweet" by Kimora Lee, Beyoncé, Eve, and Jennifer Lopez respectively to perfume lines ("M" by Mariah Carey, "Glow" and "Still" by Jennifer Lopez, and "True Star" by Beyoncé), divas are getting their feet wet.
You can't really make money working for someone else, so ladies, take notes! And when that day comes when someone has the nerve to ask you "Where yo' boss at??," you can tell 'em--I AM THE BOSS!! Recognize game....
In short, anyone can be a diva. As I hope you've learned, being a diva is about more than just being beautiful and 'fly' and having swagger. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...besides, make up can do us wonders anyway. Style is eternal. Confidence is key. Strut your stuff with pride. Class is a must-have. Tisk, tisk...it isn't classy to throw a cellphone at someone when you don't get your way. Understand that we were put here on this earth to help others, and if you're not helping others, then...you're just a waste of space. And remember, a diva is a female version of a hustler, but you can't match a hustler without a hustle!
Check out Beyoncé's latest video, "Diva," right here...
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/beyonce-diva/1894555551Tell me what you think!
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