Lately, I’ve seen the term “diva” pop up all over my TikTok feed, often in comments celebrating opinionated, boundary-setting women with phrases like, “Ugh, she is such a diva, I love her!” But hold on — are we sure that “diva” is always a compliment?
What is a Diva?
A diva is often seen as a self-assured pop star who sets boundaries, is confident, and often difficult or temperamental. But is this label truly a badge of honour, or is it a thinly veiled criticism?
The word “diva” has roots in 17th-century Italy, where it was used to describe opera singers. It is derived from a Latin word meaning “goddess.” Over time, it evolved to refer to talented women in theatre and film, but it also became associated with ambition and demanding behaviour.
Modern Divas: Praise and Backlash.
Today’s divas are praised for being fierce and bold, yet they often face backlash from the media for being “too much.” Take our South African star Tyla, for example. Gaining international traction for her song “Water,” she is celebrated for her fierce personality. However, she has faced criticism for seemingly simple actions or statements.
Recently, Tyla’s outfit at Coachella 2025 was compared to Britney Spears’ iconic “I’m a Slave 4 U” look. When she tweeted, “Love her but I just thought her outfit was fly… no inspo,” she received immense backlash, with many accusing her of being ungrateful. This situation illustrates the dilemma: how can we celebrate a diva for her confidence while critiquing her choices?
Additionally, Tyla faced backlash for asking someone to hold her award at the 2024 VMAs and for identifying as “coloured,” which sparked debates about her racial identity. Are we sure we love divas when we can’t even accept their opinions about their own race?
The Challenges of Being a Diva.
The term “diva” often relates to everything traditional society dislikes about women — being loud, ambitious, and bold. These attributes challenge conventional notions of femininity, and many people may take offence. When a pop star embodies these traits, it challenges deeply held beliefs, as seen in the comments on social media. For instance, user ‘sharkshoes69’ might say, “She shouldn’t be acting so disrespectfully,” revealing their discomfort with Tyla’s assertiveness.
And it’s not just Tyla. Artists like Chapple Roan and Beabadoobee, along with women you know — your friends, your mother, your aunt, your grandmother — are all asking for something from the world. They embody the spirit of the diva, demanding recognition and respect in a society that often tries to silence them.
Xenophobia and Identity.
Tyla’s experiences reveal not only the challenges of being a diva but also the complexity of navigating your identity in a globalised world. As a coloured woman from South Africa, she represents a blend of culture and mainstream popularity, and she often faces criticism rooted in xenophobic attitudes.
In the music industry, Western standards dominate everything, and artists from diverse backgrounds can find it difficult when audiences are unwilling to understand or appreciate their cultural identities. Tyla’s boldness and confidence can be seen as a threat to traditional norms.
When Tyla identifies as “coloured,” she is claiming her identity in a way that is deeply personal and culturally significant. But some Western audiences insist on labelling her simply as Black, which erases the complexity of her identity and the history of race in South Africa. This also shows how many African artists are often shoved into categories that do not accurately represent them.
The backlash Tyla faces can be seen as a reflection of the discomfort some people feel as her success grows. Many South African artists like Tyla are paving their own paths in an industry that hasn’t always been welcoming to them. As they break into the mainstream, they challenge traditional ideas of what talent and success look like, which can lead to resistance from audiences with a narrow understanding of pop culture.
This is where xenophobia meets the “diva” label. A demanding, outspoken woman from South Africa is often viewed through a lens that amplifies stereotypes about assertive women and foreignness. The backlash against Tyla isn’t just about her behaviour, but is also a reaction to how she challenges the status quo. When she is in the face of many, it forces others to confront their biases and perceptions about race, gender, and identity.
Many South Africans have recognised this hostility from the West, responding with phrases like, “Come home, Tyla.” This reflects a deep sense of solidarity with an artist who is not just representing herself but also her culture and her people. It’s a call to embrace her identity and support her journey, reminding us that the struggle for recognition and respect is universal for women, especially those who dare to be unapologetically themselves.
Embracing the Diva.
So, is “diva” a compliment or a criticism? I say it’s a compliment. In a world where women are often expected to act small and meek, embracing the word “diva” is to wear it as a badge of honor, even when it’s thrown as an insult. Because who wouldn’t want to be a diva if it means being your talented, unapologetic self?