Meghan Markle’s conversation with one of entertainment’s biggest “divas” deconstructed the term. The Duchess of Sussex and her guest, Mariah Carey, discussed the complexities of being called a “diva” and how the GRAMMY-winning pop star has embraced it in episode 2 of her Archetypes podcast.
Carey explained to the duchess that the word has “both” positive and negative connotations, but she has embraced the glam in the term.
“I think it’s for both of us,” the “Honey” singer explained. “I do because I know where the word came from. But, as I was growing up, whenever my mother mentioned a friend or’something was so and so,’ it was very much that diva.”
“I wasn’t sure if that was bad or good. That’s how she’s made. Like, the grandeur of it all is what I envision. I’m glad I bought the words glamorise, fabulous, and whatever else. And then, as things progressed, you know, the last, say, 20 years…it became a diva for me “She elaborated.
“They usually mean you’re a successful woman.” But also, and please forgive me if we are not permitted to say the b-word, but a B-I-T-C-H. For example, it is not acceptable for you to be a boss. It’s not acceptable for you to be a strong woman, you understand?” She continued.
Carey, who has embraced the term on her own terms, took a moment to bestow the title on the duchess, who needed to know what diva qualities she saw in her.
After discussing Carey’s infamous MTV Cribs episode, Markle stated that the term “diva” is not something she “connects to,” and Carey agreed.
“You give us diva moments, Meghan,” she remarked. “What kind of diva moments do I give you?” laughed the duchess.
“It’s the visual,” said Carey, 53. But let’s pretend you weren’t so stunning, didn’t have it all, and didn’t frequently wear stunning ensembles. You might not get as many divas as well.”
The “Emotions” singer continued, “I don’t mind. I’m like, “When I get the chance, I’m going to give you diva.”
Following the episode, Markle explained that she was taken aback by the situation and how Carey quickly read it, and reassured her that she was being endearing and not using the word negatively.
“You couldn’t see me, but I started sweating a little bit when she called me a diva,” she said of the playful moment. “My mind was literally spinning with what nonsense.” She must have read or clicked on something to cause her to say that. In that moment, all I could think was, ‘Was my girl crush going to die soon?’ Is she really blind to me?'”
Markle observed that Carey must have detected her nervousness and clarified her remarks, providing her with some reassurance.
“So she must have sensed my nervous laughter, and you all would have heard it as well, and she jumped right in to make sure I was crystal clear when she said diva, she was talking about the way I dress, the posture of clothing,” she explained.
“As she sees it, the quote-unquote fabulousness. She meant diva as a compliment, but I misinterpreted it. As I recall, I heard it as the word diva. But, as she explained to me, she meant it as chic, aspirational, and how one highly charged word can mean different things to each of us. “It blows my mind,” she added. “And it actually made me realise that in these episodes, as I’ve opened the door for discussion about the archetypes, they try to hold us back.” What I hadn’t considered was that some people believe that reclaiming the words will propel us forward.”
