The Diva Is Dead, Long Live the Diva

When Emily Brontë published “Wuthering Heights,” in 1847, critics were baffled, alarmed, and mostly unimpressed. James Lorimer, writing in the North British Review, promised that the novel would “never be generally read.” Nearly two centuries later, it’s regarded as one of the gr ...  Show more

Toni Morrison was many things in her lifetime—Nobel laureate, renowned author, Princeton professor, and generous mentor to young writers. Her appeal translated seamlessly to the internet, where old interview clips still bubble up regularly on social media, reminding us of her sha ...  Show more

Maria Callas (1923-1977) was an iconic opera singer known for her “diva” antics. A soprano, she sang in opera houses around the world, until her sudden decline and premature death at the age of 53. For Further Reading: The biggest myth about Maria Callas? She was no tragic icon M ...  Show more

Meghan talks to the grande dame of our time, Mariah Carey, about the complexities surrounding the “diva” – from the diva’s glamour and power and elegance, to the more negative connotations associated with the word. This episode also features actress and comedian, Amanda Seales, a ...  Show more

Grace Jones (1948 - present) is a model, singer, actress, and performance artist. She has been on the cover of Vogue, Essence, and Interview Magazine. She released chart topping albums including Nightclubbing, Warm Leatherette, and Slave to the Rhythm. For Further Reading: The Po ...  Show more

Abby and Patrick are joined by academic, journalist, and critic Sara Marcus, author of the 2023 book Political Disappointment: A Cultural History from Reconstruction to the AIDS Crisis. After recalling their own experiences of political letdowns – infantile, adolescen ...