This episode of Critics at Large discusses the cultural significance of 'divas' like Patti LuPone, exploring the mix of extraordinary talent and personal flaws that define them. Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and guest host Michael Schulman consider if society continues to reward such complex characters. Schulman highlights the shifting boundaries of acceptability regarding diva behavior, suggesting humanity's ongoing attraction to larger-than-life figures despite their controversies. The conversation also references various divas across media, emphasizing a timeless cultural fascination with their dramatic personas.
I don't think we'll ever stop being drawn to larger-than-life characters with messy, larger-than-life personal lives. There is a line that people can cross-but it's constantly shifting.
The word 'diva' comes from the world of opera, where divinely talented singers have enraptured audiences for centuries.
Collection
[
|
...
]