adminWell, many fail to understand the term, prima donna as they only associate it with female identities, forgetting that it carries a whole lot more.
Nowadays, the title prima donna is sometimes referred to as diva-hood and to some is associated with negative behaviour often quite divorced of any inherent talent.
In Italy a prima donna simply means, “first lady”, but back home the term is somehow used on first lady of something be it fashion, modelling, music, socialising and culture.
These top-billing women have developed into a cult of celebrity.
Do we have them in Zimbabwe or not? It is known that some of our local celebrities are not divas but are living the diva lifestyle.
Some tend to stay in their car during shows rather mingling with fans in the waiting room, while others don’t want to share seats in the salon.
Saturday Lifestyle traced the developing model of the prima donna or diva in Zimbabwe, examining how they work in public, what makes them tick and above all do they only rely on their profession or what?
A survey by this paper revealed that female characters are indeed leading, though there are some mishaps on their profession.
Perfectly, they are killing two birds with one stone.
But the question is on their attitude towards celebrity status, has it changed them or not.
Speaking in an interview, the “first lady” of urban grooves Cindy Munyavi, is remarkably candid about how fame and fortune have changed her.
“My celebrity status hasn’t changed me. I was not well up but now I can afford my lifestyle I want, so that’s nice. The musician who has been labelled a diva because of her looks and how she expresses herself said her career is an ego trip.
“There is no point beating about the bush, I am here to entertain. The arts industry pays if you work hard. I am not much of a diva though but I make sure when I walk around town or go on shows I have two bottles of mineral water at room temperature,” she emphasised.
Despite being an award winner, the “Stressed Out” singer claims she doesn’t have a flashy lifestyle.
“Music is my passion and I am good at it. I do my grocery at OK, TM, Spar and at Bon Marche among others like normal people do. I walk in the streets of the CBD having a feel of the environment with no bodyguards. I have no problem with fans having pictures taken with me. I guess my diva moments come when people want to harass me,” she said.
Cindy said she walks away when people abuse her lifestyle.
On publicity days, the singer said she can’t move around without her mascara and lip gloss.
“I am not too fussy about anything and not conscious about being a diva or prima donna but one thing you find around me is mascara and lip gloss,” she said.
Another music sensation is Adiona Maboreke wife to Munya Chidzonga, who said her life is “in” entertainment “not” entertainment.
Some people have said that marrying the famous actor and ex-Big Brother Africa housemate has raised her profile.
Not surprisingly, the songstress is not a diva type as she comes from humble background.
“Apart from singing I am a voice over artiste for a studio called Kcool Productions in South Africa that is where some of my income comes from.
“I drive a black Nissan March. I love the car because I have nicknamed it the Black Box because it is easy on my pocket fuel-wise. I studied travel and tourism so not only my life is on music, I am a qualified travel agent and an author of children’s book coming out next month,” said the mother of two.
She said: “My fashion sense can be called yummy yummy because I embrace the fact that I dress like a mother. I don’t have pressure when I am in public because when I go out with Munya people stop and stare at us. I am not pompous,” Adiona said.
For modelling, it will be naïve, if Mercy Mushaninga affectionately known as Catwalk is not talked about.
“I love my job. It is truly amazing and constantly engaging. Well, one thing I love about my work is that you are a prima donna and working with prima donnas too. There’s one part of my job in particular that I just hate — dealing with prima donnas.
“Like some have said, while difficult egos exist in every field, people whose livelihood is either based on their own personal ‘brand’ or the brand of another individual seem to find their way into the land of ridiculousness far quicker,” said Mercy.
The model who is well known for her prestigious pageants such as Miss Curvy, Modelling Extravaganza and Miss Glamourous not forgetting hosting bush parties said working with models is hectic but she manages it well.
“Diva is a female version of a hustler. Working with athletes, speakers, agents, and event planners can often mean a life of ego management. What’s most amazing is that no one thinks that they fall into this category. Every difficult request, rude response, and unrealistic expectation makes perfect sense at that moment to that person,” noted the owner of Zim Gossip Modelling Agency.
Mercy had been working with many companies to get a well-known celebrity to their event and advertisements
Some said she is a sweetheart while others still say Mercy is an “untouchable diva”.
“You know that not all people love you but I am not complicated as some might say,” chuckled Mercy. Former United Kingdom Big Brother housemate and controversial socialite Makosi Musambasi is well known for her travelling to exotic destinations and entertainment hotspots.
Recently she was at the Disneyland in the United States together with her brother.
Makosi was quoted as saying: “I wanted to rekindle my childhood memories . . .”
Is she living the life of a prima donna, one wonders. For some women the term prima donna doesn’t exist. Gringo the Troublemaker actress, Evangelista Mwatse said divas or prima donnas don’t exist in Zimbabwe.
“I don’t believe we have such people here in Zimbabwe. I am not a diva and my lifestyle can’t be compared to those divas we know such as Angelina Jolie, Beyonce or Jennifer Lopez. Those who claim to be are wannabe I tell you. Imagine the type of car, houses and demands they have,” said Evangelista.
The actress drives a Mitsubish Colt and lives in a one-bedroomed flat.
Online Reporter