- Title: USA: ANNUAL VH1 "DIVA LIVE 99" AT BEACON THEATRE
- Date: 15th April 1999
- Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA (APRIL 13, 1999) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) DONATELLA VERSACE: "Cher. She's gorgeous, a woman full of courage, great artist, she looks fantastic."
- Embargoed: 30th April 1999 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVAC9QXXMFMDPYZ57W2ZPXQN3C8P
- Story Text: At VH1's "Divas Live '99", a man, albeit a highly talented one, joined the traditionally all-female superstar line up.Sir Elton John joined Divas Whitney Houston, Cher, Tina Turner, Brandy, to light up the stage Tuesday (April 13, 1999) at New York's Beacon Theater for VH1's second annual Diva-fest.
The star studded line-up drew a score of celebrities for the second "VH1 Divas Live" concert.Special guests Chaka Khan, LeAnn Rimes, Mary J.Blige and Faith Hill joined the Divas in a concert.
The high-octane concert benefitted VH1's Save The Music, an initiative that supports music eduction in public schools around the country.
Show presenter Ashley Judd admitted her Diva preference.
Upon arriving at the theatre, she said, "I must say I am most looking forward to hearing Tina Turner sing and I'm also looking forward to seeing her butt, becuase she's got the best butt in the world."
The sentiment was shared by singer Debbie Gibson who said, "And those legs, I want to look just like that." Whether it was becuse of her figure or her voice, Turner's electrifying performance of "Rolling on the River" warmed up the audience.
While much discussion about the definition of a Diva surrounded VH1's "Divas Live '99, this evening expanded the definition to include a man.Before performing on stage with Elton John, singer LeAnn Rimes said, "Elton is the epitomy of a Diva.He's so much fun.He's got the fashion thing down."
When asked to list his favorite Div, actor Hugh Grant thought about his girlfriend first."Elizabeth Hurley, one.
Elton John, two.The Queen, three, probably."
Faith Hill had her own definition of what a Diva was.
Standing next to Sumner Redstone, the chairman of Viacom, VH1's parent company, she said, "What makes a Diva? Standing right here." She went on to delight the audience with her latest hit song, "This Kiss".
One of the most emotionally charged performances of the evening was given by Whitney Houston who sang, "I Will Always Love You" to the audience.
Houston and Chaka Khan kicked off the classic girl-power song "I'm Every Woman" for the finale and were joined by Faith Hill, Brandy, Mary Blige, and LeAnn Rimes.The choice of song might have kept male Diva Elton John off the stage.Tina Turner and Cher also sat out the finale.Too little stage, perhaps, for too much Diva.
Last year, "VH1 Divas Live" debuted with a legendary line-up, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, gloria Estefan and Shania Twaing -- and became the highest-rated single broadcast in VH1's history.
The "Divas Live '99" program handed out at the performance included handwritted letters from school children who have benefitted from CH1 Save The Music instrument donations.
VH1 and epic Records relased the "VH1 Divas Live" CD last fall, and it is expected to raise at least 1.5 million U.S.dollars for VH1 Save the Music. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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