living.in.technicolor

Like a lot of gays, I understand the appeal of a diva. Over the years, I’ve become drawn to empowered women who are able to work through their struggles (often involving men) with an ethereal sense beauty and glamour that I, as a male, could not quite grasp. I’m not quite sure why; maybe I just prefer to see women acting in dramatic roles or listen to female voices over male ones.

Disney princesses were probably my first exposures to that idea, along with the Spice Girls, Madonna, Alanis Morissette, Jewel and the Sailor Scouts. The diva became more of a commodity during the 00’s with Britney vs. Christina, along with a long string of imitators (Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore, etc.) that I followed earnestly on MTV’s TRL.

My following nowadays is more reflective of my personal taste. I like Japanese pop, so girl groups like Perfume and stars like Utada Hikaru and Namie Amuro have been in my eye ever since college. Movie/TV-wise, the list is more random in terms of old Hollywood (Bette Davis), newer Hollywood (Emma Thompson, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman), and foreign actresses (Maggie Cheung, Gong Li). In terms of Western music, I’m less taken with Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and Beyonce. Rather, Europeans like Robyn’s been on my radar, as have Bjork and Imogen Heap.

I don’t know if it would do me any good to try to actually emulate the qualities I find so attractive in these women, through drag or just in terms of my personality. Could be liberating, might be embarrassing. For now, I’m content admiring their poise, talent and the beauty they create through art and performance.