More than a decade after its inception and after a four-year layoff, VH1 is reviving its Divas Live concert series with a new crop of upcoming and coming songbirds. Diana Ross, Stevie Nicks, Whitney Houston, Leona Lewis and Miley Cyrus. It seems that something’s not quite right with this picture. It’s a strange association of names and it’s kind of weird to see Ms. Hannah Montana herself on a list with so many famous and talented singers.
However, Lee Rolontz, EVP, Original Music Production & Development VH1, and VH1 Classic has a different opinion. “An amazingly talented group of young women have successfully launched themselves into the global music scene since our last VH1 Divas show. We’re very excited to have so many of them join us at this year’s momentous event,” he said in a press release.
“Adele, Kelly, Leona and Miley have all captured the world’s attention with their talent and have earned their designation as VH1 Divas this year. Don’t let some of their young age’s fool you – these women are among the best entertainers in the world and will continue to thrill music fans for a long time to come. “We should probably agree with him so let’s face the facts and be less critical: at only 16 years old, the teenage daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus already has three chart-topping albums, even if they were all soundtracks sung in the guise of her Disney Channel alter-ego Hannah Montana. Besides she scored a top 10 hit with “See You Again,” the first single from her debut album, Meet Miley Cyrus. Her second solo effort, Breakout, debuted at No. 1 last summer and quickly went platinum.
Furthermore, British soul singer Adele conquered the States on the strength of her debut album, 19, and her popular single “Chasing Pavements,” which earned her two Grammys earlier this year for Best New Artist and Best Vocal Performance. She was also nominated for the U.K.’s prestigious Mercury Prize.
Leona Lewis, who also comes from the U.K., made her name as the former champion of British reality competition The X Factor before becoming an R&B star due to the hit “A Moment Like This.” Kelly Clarkson has sold over 20 million albums since her victory on American Idol and is best known for her “Since You Been Gone.”
By headlining this year’s show, these female performers will follow in the footsteps of chart queen, past Divas, like Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey.
The event will be aired live from Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House, on VH1, September 17, marking the first time in the special’s history that the Divas haven’t assembled in either Manhattan or Las Vegas. More acts will be announced soon. Until then, VH1 is asking fans to send text and video “Diva Stories” testimonials about how this year’s Divas roster has influenced them. Some of those testimonials will be featured online and in on-air promos leading up to the event.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 27th, 2009 at 6:39 am and is filed under News.