Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Clear Channel
The annual VH1 Divas show has become something of a referendum on the biggest female singing stars in the music world. Last year featured ascendant stars like Katy Perry, Keri Hilson, and Nicki Minaj, and previous Divas include Beyoncé, Adele, Jordin Sparks, Miley Cyrus, and Whitney Houston.
This time around, the headliners are no exception: Kelly Clarkson, Florence Welch, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J, and Jill Scott are all scheduled to perform. It’s a return date for Clarkson, Blige, Hudson, and Scott, while Welch and Jessie J will be making their Divas debuts.
This year’s show will also feature the Roots (who will serve as the house band, presumably because of federal law that requires them to back up everybody) and will pay tribute to a number of influential musical cities, including Chicago, London, Detroit, Memphis, and Philadelphia. The show airs December 19.
So let’s go ahead and do some fantasy booking, shall we? Though most of the show will probably be devoted to the funk and soul tracks that came from those cities, there are a few things we’re hoping for while all those ladies are in the same room.
Since Jessie J loves a good cover, she should go toe-to-toe with Clarkson on a run through “Since U Been Gone.” Welch and Hudson should pay homage to Blige with a tribute, maybe “Real Love” or “Family Affair”? And is there any chance Scott can do a version of the Roots’ “You Got Me,” since she co-wrote that song?
What do you want to see this year’s Divas do? Sing your torch song in the comments.
Read more on EW.com:
Review: Kelly Clarkson, Stronger
Review: Florence + The Machine, Ceremonials
AMAs announce more performers, including Justin Bieber and Kelly Clarkson. Who are you most excited for?
Get u just mad
This makes me so happy.. They all have got that ZaZa!
Mary J. Blige did the original VH1 Divas concert series before. She guested with Whitney Houston in 1999, and headlined in 2002.
Mary was a guest of Whitney’s in ’99, and headlined impressively in three consecutive years from ’01-’03 and paid tribute to Patti via video in ’04. She is the Danny Elfman to the Divas’ Tim Burton.
Don’t remind me of how Mary butchered ReRe’s song (duet with Whitney) trying to hit notes out of her range. Mary isn’t a good singer!!! Back in the day diva’s were those who could SANG!!! I liked what Kelly Clarkson (luv her new sound) said to Taylor Swift’s manager when he made that Idol crack because lets be real, I never thought I would see the day when a show that started off as a kareoke joke produced talent that can out sing almost all the Billboard ladies….well before Adele decided to rip up the f@ charts hahahahaha
That’s correct!!! I lived in England and I miss the days my daughters and I cruised music stores. The Temptations is one of my all time fav movies so yes honor London and Hitsville USA (loved Lady Di on Oprah and WH tribute was horrible)
Mary actually sounds better TODAY than when she first came out ….maybe laying off the coke n booze?
i don’t care what they sing, musical royalty is upon us. not a dud in this bunch. CANNOT wait!!
Jessie J has such a big and powerful voice. She is perfect for Divas. Check out her acoustic version of “Who You Are” on youtube (I first found out about this song and her from a dance on SYTYCD lol).
Oh goodness, this year’s lineup is miles above last year’s. What excellent choices.
Yep, a HUGE step up from last year. They got singers who can actually sing.
Am I the only one who remembers THE original “VH1 Divas” concert back in the late nineties? Shania Twain, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Carole King, and the Queen herself, Aretha. That was a friggin Diva lineup.
@ Jewlor
AND your NOT the only one that remembers the origninal VH1 DIVAS. NO!! OTHER DIVAS COMPARE TO THE ORIGINAL VH1 DIVAS.
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