Divine (performer) - Wikipedia

Closely associated with independent filmmaker John Waters, Divine was a character actor, usually performing female roles in cinematic and theatrical productions ... Divine(performer) FromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia Jumptonavigation Jumptosearch Americanactor,singeranddragqueen(1945–1988) ForotherpeoplenamedDivine,seeDivine(disambiguation). DivineDivineinapublicityphotographfromthe1980sBornHarrisGlennMilstead(1945-10-19)October19,1945Baltimore,Maryland,U.S.DiedMarch7,1988(1988-03-07)(aged 42)LosAngeles,California,U.S.RestingplaceProspectHillCemetery(Towson,Maryland)OccupationActor,singer,dragqueenYears active1966–1988Websitedivineofficial.com HarrisGlennMilstead(October19,1945–March7,1988),betterknownbyhisstagenameDivine,wasanAmericanactor,singer,anddragqueen.CloselyassociatedwithindependentfilmmakerJohnWaters,Divinewasacharacteractor,usuallyperformingfemalerolesincinematicandtheatricalproductions,andadoptedafemaledragpersonaforhismusiccareer. BorninBaltimore,Marylandtoaconservativemiddle-classfamily,Milsteaddevelopedanearlyinterestindragwhileworkingasawomen'shairdresser.Bythemid-1960shehadembracedthecity'scounterculturalsceneandbefriendedWaters,whogavehimthename"Divine"andthetaglineof"themostbeautifulwomanintheworld,almost."AlongwithhisfriendDavidLochary,MilsteadjoinedWaters'actingtroupe,theDreamlanders,andadoptedfemalerolesfortheirexperimentalshortfilmsRomanCandles(1966),EatYourMakeup(1968),andTheDianeLinkletterStory(1969).Againindrag,hetookaleadroleinbothofWaters'earlyfull-lengthmovies,MondoTrasho(1969)andMultipleManiacs(1970),thelatterofwhichattractedpressattentionforthegroup.MilsteadnextstarredinWaters'PinkFlamingos(1972),whichwasahitontheU.S.midnightmoviecircuit,becameacultclassic,andestablishedMilstead'sfameintheAmericancounterculture. AfterstarringastheleadroleinWaters'nextfilm,FemaleTrouble(1974),Divinemovedontotheater,appearinginseveralavant-gardeperformancesalongsideSanFranciscodragcollective,TheCockettes.HefollowedthiswithaperformanceinTomEyen'splayWomenBehindBarsanditssequel,TheNeonWoman.Continuinghiscinematicwork,hestarredintwomoreofWaters'films,Polyester(1981)andHairspray(1988),thelatterofwhichrepresentedhisbreakthroughintomainstreamcinemaandforwhichhewasnominatedfortheIndependentSpiritAwardforBestSupportingMale.IndependentofWaters,healsoappearedinanumberofotherfilms,suchasLustintheDust(1985)andTroubleinMind(1985),seekingtodiversifyhisrepertoirebyplayingmaleroles.In1981,DivineembarkedonacareerinthediscoindustrybyproducinganumberofHi-NRGtracks,mostofwhichwerewrittenbyBobbyOrlando.Heachievedinternationalchartsuccesswithhitslike"YouThinkYou'reaMan","I'mSoBeautiful",and"WalkLikeaMan",allofwhichwereperformedindrag.Divinehadaconditioncalledcardiomegaly.StressonhisenlargedheartledtoaheartattackthatkilledhimshortlyafterthereleaseofHairspray. DescribedbyPeoplemagazineasthe"DragQueenoftheCentury",[1]Divinehasremainedacultfigure,particularlywithintheLGBTcommunity,andhasprovidedtheinspirationforfictionalcharacters,artworks,andsongs.Variousbooksanddocumentaryfilmsdevotedtohislifehavealsobeenproduced,includingDivineTrash(1998)andIAmDivine(2013). Contents 1Earlylife 1.1Youth:1945–1965 1.2JohnWatersandDivine'sfirstfilms:1966–1968 1.3TheDianeLinkletterStory,MondoTrasho,andMultipleManiacs:1969–1970 2Risetofame 2.1PinkFlamingos:1971–1972 2.2TheaterworkandFemaleTrouble:1973–1978 2.3EarlydiscoworkandPolyester:1979–1983 3Laterlife 3.1Laterdiscowork,LustintheDust,andHairspray:1984–1988 3.2Death:1988 4Dragpersonaandperformance 5Personallife 6Legacyandinfluence 6.1Publications 7Filmography 8Discography 8.1Albums 8.2Compilationalbums 8.3CDreissues 8.4Singles 9References 9.1Footnotes 9.2Bibliography 10Externallinks Earlylife[edit] Youth:1945–1965[edit] Glenn"Divine"Milstead'shighschoolyearbookphotoatage17[2] MilsteadwasbornonOctober19,1945atWomen'sHospitalinBaltimore,Maryland.[3]Hisfather,HarrisBernardMilstead(May1,1917 –March4,1993),afterwhomhewasnamed,wasoneofsevenchildrenborninTowson,MarylandtoaplumberwhoworkedfortheBaltimoreCityWaterDepartment.[4]Divine'smother,FrancesMilstead(néeVukovich;April12,1920 –March24,2009),wasoneof15childrenborntoanimpoverishedSerbimmigrantcouplewhohadgrownupnearZagreb(intoday'sCroatia)beforemovingtotheUnitedStatesin1891.[5][6]Whenshewas16,shemovedtoBaltimorewheresheworkedatadinerinTowsonwhereshemetHarris,aregularcustomer.Aftermarryingin1938,theywerebothhiredattheBlack&DeckerfactoryinTowson.Duetomusculardystrophy,HarriswasnotrequiredtojointheU.S.armedforcesintheSecondWorldWar;instead,heandFrancesworkedthroughthewaryearsinwhattheyconsidered"goodjobs".[7]Francessufferedtwomiscarriagesin1940and1943.[6][8] BythetimeofDivine'sbirthin1945,theMilsteadswereaffluentandsociallyconservativeBaptists.[9]Describinghisupbringing,Divinerecollected:"Iwasanonlychildin,Iguess,youruppermiddle-classAmericanfamily.IwasprobablyyourAmericanspoiledbrat."[9]Hisparentslavishedalmostanythingthathewantedonhim,includingfood,andhebecameoverweight,aconditionhelivedwithfortherestofhislife.[10]Onhisrequest,hisparentsandfriendscalledhimbyhismiddlename,Glenn,todistinguishhimfromhisfather.[11] Atage12,DivineandhisparentsmovedtotheBaltimoresuburbofLutherville,whereheattendedTowsonHighSchool,graduatingin1963.[12][13]Bulliedbecauseofhisweightandperceivedeffeminacy,[14]helaterreminiscedthathe"wasn'troughandtough"butinstead"lovedpaintingandIalwayslovedflowersandthings."[12]At15hetookapart-timejobatalocalflorist'sshop.[15]Severalyearslater,hewentonadietandskinneddownfrom180to145pounds(82to66 kg),givinghimnewconfidence.[15]Whenhewas17,hisparentssenthimtoapsychiatrist,wherehefirstrealizedhissexualattractiontomenaswellaswomen,somethingthentabooinconventionalAmericansociety.[16]Hehelpedoutathisparents'daycarebusiness,includingdressingupasSantaClaustoentertainthechildrenatChristmastime.[17]In1963,hebeganattendingtheMarinellaBeautySchool,wherehelearnedhairstylingand,aftercompletinghisstudies,gainedemploymentatacoupleoflocalsalons,specializinginthecreationofbeehivesandotherupsweptstyles.[16][18]Heeventuallygaveupthejobandforawhilewasfinanciallysupportedbyhisparents,whocateredtohisexpensivetasteinclothesandcars.Theyreluctantlypaidthemanybillsheranupthrowinglavishpartieswherehedressedindragashisfavoritecelebrity,actressElizabethTaylor.[19][20] JohnWatersandDivine'sfirstfilms:1966–1968[edit] Milsteaddevelopedalargecoterieoffriends,amongthemDavidLochary,whobecameanactorandcostarinseveralofDivine'slaterfilms.[21][22]Inthemid-1960s,MilsteadbefriendedJohnWatersthroughtheirmutualfriendCarolWernig;WatersandMilsteadwerethesameageandfromthesameneighborhood,andbothembracedBaltimore'scounterculturalandundergroundelements.[6][23][24]AlongwithfriendslikeWatersandLochary,MilsteadbeganhangingoutatabeatnikbarindowntownBaltimorenamedMartick's,wheretheyassociatedwithhippiesandsmokedmarijuana,bondingintowhatWatersdescribedas"afamilyofsorts".[23]Watersgavehisfriendsnewnicknames,anditwashewhofirstcalledMilstead"Divine".WaterslaterremarkedthathehadborrowedthenamefromacharacterinJeanGenet'snovelOurLadyoftheFlowers(1943),acontroversialbookabouthomosexualslivingonthemarginsofParisiansociety,whichWaters–himselfahomosexual–wasreadingatthetime.[25]WatersalsointroducedDivineas"themostbeautifulwomanintheworld,almost",adescriptionwidelyrepeatedinensuingyears.[25] "Divine.That'smyname.It'sthenameJohn[Waters]gaveme.Ilikeit.That'swhateverybodycallsmenow,evenmyclosefriends.NotmanyofthemcallmeGlennatallanymore,whichIdon'tmind.Theycancallmewhatevertheywant.Theycallmefatso,andtheycallmeasshole,andIdon'tcare.Youalwayschangeyournamewhenyou'reintheshowbusiness.Divinehasstuckasmyname.Didyoueverlookitupinthedictionary?Iwon'tevengointoit.It'sunbelievable." —Divine,1973[26] Waterswasanaspiringfilmmaker,intentonmaking"thetrashiestmotionpicturesincinemahistory".[27]Manyofhisfriends,agroupwhichcametobeknownas"theDreamlanders"(andwhoincludedDivine,Lochary,MaryVivianPearceandMinkStole),appearedinsomeofhislow-budgetproductions,filmedonSundayafternoons.[27]Followingtheproductionofhisfirstshortfilm,HaginaBlackLeatherJacket(1964),Watersbeganproductionofasecondwork,RomanCandles(1966).ThisfilmwasinfluencedbythepopartistAndyWarhol'sChelseaGirls(1966),andconsistedofthree8-millimetermoviesplayedsimultaneouslysidebyside.RomanCandleswasthefirstfilmtostarDivine,inthisinstanceindragasasmokingnun.ItfeaturedtheDreamlandersmodelingshopliftedclothesandperformingvariousunrelatedactivities.[27][28][29]Beingbothashortfilmandofanavant-gardenature,RomanCandlesneverreceivedwidespreaddistribution,insteadholdingitspremiereattheannualMt.VernonFlowerMartinBaltimore,whichhadbecomepopularwith"elderlydames,youngfaggotsandhustlers,andofcourseawholebunchofhippies".[30]WaterswentontoscreenitatseverallocalvenuesalongsideKennethAnger'sshortfilmEauxd'Artifice(1953).[30] WatersfollowedRomanCandleswithathirdshortfilm,EatYourMakeup(1968),inwhichDivineoncemoreworedrag,thistimetoportrayafictionalizedversionofJackieKennedy,thewidowofrecentlyassassinatedU.S.PresidentJohnF.Kennedy.Inthefilm,sheturnstokidnappingmodelsandforcingthemtoeattheirownmakeup.[31][32]DivinekepthisinvolvementwithWatersandtheseearlyundergroundfilmsasecretfromhisconservativeparents,believingthattheywouldnotunderstandthemorthereasonforhisinvolvementinsuchcontroversialandbad-tastefilms;theywouldnotfindoutaboutthemformanyyears.[33][34]Divine'sparentshadboughthimhisownbeautyshopinTowson,hopingthatthefinancialresponsibilitywouldhelphimtosettledowninlifeandstopspendingsoextravagantly.Whileagreeingtoworkthere,herefusedtobeinvolvedinowningandmanagingtheestablishment,leavingthattohismother.[35]Notlongafter,inthesummerof1968,hemovedoutofhisparentalhome,rentinghisownapartment.[36] TheDianeLinkletterStory,MondoTrasho,andMultipleManiacs:1969–1970[edit] DivineappearedinWaters'snextshortfilm,TheDianeLinkletterStory(1969),whichwasinitiallydesignedtobeatestforanewsoundcamera.AblackcomedythatcarriedoninWaters'straditionofmaking"badtaste"filmstoshockconventionalAmericansociety,TheDianeLinkletterStorywasbaseduponthetruestoryofDianeLinkletter,thedaughterofmediapersonalityArtLinkletter,whohadcommittedsuicideearlierthatyear.Herdeathhadledtoaflurryofmediainterestandspeculation,withvarioussourceserroneouslyclaimingthatshehaddonesoundertheinfluenceofthepsychedelicLSD.Waters'sdramatizedversionstarredDivineintheleadingroleastheteenagerwhorebelsagainstherconservativeparentsaftertheytrytobreakupherrelationshipwithhippieboyfriendJim,beforeconsumingalargequantityofLSDandcommittingsuicide.AlthoughscreenedatthefirstBaltimoreFilmFestival,thefilmwasnotpubliclyreleasedatthetime,largelyforlegalreasons.[31][37] SoonaftertheproductionofTheDianeLinkletterStory,Watersbeganfilmingafull-lengthmotionpicture,MondoTrasho,starringDivineasoneofthemaincharacters,anunnamedblondewomanwhodrivesaroundtownandrunsoverahitchhiker.[38][39]Inonescene,anactorwasrequiredtowalkalongastreetnaked,whichwasacrimeinthestateofMarylandatthetime,leadingtothearrestofWatersandmostoftheactorsassociatedwiththefilm;Divineescaped,havingspeedilydrivenawayfromthepolicewhentheyarrivedtocarryoutthearrests.[40]Intheirreviewofthefilm,theLosAngelesFreePressexclaimedthat"The300-pound(140kg)sex-symbolDivineisundoubtedlysomesortofdiscovery."[41] In1970,Divineabandonedworkasahairdresser,openingupavintageclothingstoreinProvincetown,Massachusettsusinghisparents'money.Openingin1970as"DivineTrash",thestoresolditemsthatDivinehadpurchasedinthriftstores,fleamarketsandgaragesales,althoughithadtomovefromitsoriginallocationafterhehadfailedtoobtainalicensefromthelocalauthorities.[31][42]Realizingthatthisventurewasnotfinanciallyviable,Divinesoldoffhisstockatverylowprices.Inthehopeofraisingsomeextramoney,hesoldthefurnitureofhisrented,furnishedapartment,leadingthelandladytoputoutawarrantforhisarrest.[43][44]HeevadedthelocalpolicebytravelingtoSanFrancisco,California,acitywhichhadalargegaysubculturethatattractedDivine,whowasthenembracinghishomosexuality.[45] In1970,DivineplayedtheroleofLadyDivine,theoperatorofanexhibitknownasTheCavalcadeofPerversionwhoturnstomurderingvisitorsinWaters'sfilmMultipleManiacs.Thefilmcontainedseveralcontroversialscenes,notablyonewhichinvolvedLadyDivinemasturbatingusingarosarywhilesittinginsideachurch.Inanother,LadyDivinekillsherboyfriendandproceedstoeathisheart;inactuality,Divinebitintoacow'sheartwhichhadgonerottenfrombeingleftoutonthesetallday.Attheendofthefilm,LadyDivineisrapedbyagiantlobsternamedLobstora,anactthatdrivesherintomadness;shesubsequentlygoesonakillingspreeinFell'sPointbeforebeingshotdownbytheNationalGuard.[46][47][48]Duetoitscontroversialnature,WatersfearedthatthefilmwouldbebannedandconfiscatedbytheMarylandStateBoardofCensors,soavoidedtheirjurisdictionbyonlyscreeningitatnon-commercialvenues,namelyrentedchurchpremises.[49]MultipleManiacswasthefirstofWaters'sfilmstoreceivewidespreadattention,asdidDivine;KSFXremarkedthat"Divineisincredible!Couldstartawholenewtrendinfilms."[46] Risetofame[edit] PinkFlamingos:1971–1972[edit] FollowinghisSanFranciscostay,DivinereturnedtoBaltimoreandparticipatedinWaters'snextfilmPinkFlamingos.DesignedbyWaterstobe"anexerciseinpoortaste,"[50]thefilmfeaturedDivineasBabsJohnson,awomanwhoclaimstobe"thefilthiestpersonalive"andwhoisforcedtoproveherrighttothetitlefromchallengers,Connie(MinkStole)andRaymondMarble(DavidLochary).[51]Inonescene,theMarblessendBabsaturdinaboxasabirthdaypresent,andinordertoenactthisscene,Divinedefecatedintotheboxthenightbefore.[52]FilmedinahippiecommuneinPhoenix,Maryland,thecastmembersspentmuchofthetimesmokingcigarettesandmarijuanaandtakingamphetamines.Allofthesceneshadbeenheavilyrehearsedbeforehand.[53]Thefinalsceneinthefilmprovedparticularlyinfamous,involvingBabseatingfreshdogfeces;Divinelatertoldareporter,"Ifollowedthatdogaroundforthreehoursjustzoominginonitsasshole,"waitingforittoemptyitsbowelssothattheycouldfilmthescene.[54]ThescenebecameoneofthemostnotablemomentsofDivine'sactingcareer,andhelatercomplainedofpeoplethinkingthat"Irunarounddoingitallthetime.I'vereceivedboxesofdogshit –plasticdogshit.Ihavegonetopartieswherepeoplejustsitaroundandtalkaboutdogshitbecausetheythinkit'swhatIwanttotalkabout."[54]Inreality,heremarked,hewasnotacoprophilebutonlyateexcrementthatonetimebecauseitwasinthescript.[54][55] ThesceneattheendofPinkFlamingos,inwhichDivine(incharacterasBabsJohnson)consumesfreshdogfeces,becameasignificantpartofAmericancinemahistoryanddominateddiscussionofDivineandWaters'filmsfordecadestocome. ThefilmpremieredinMarch1972[56]atthethirdAnnualBaltimoreFilmFestival,heldonthecampusoftheUniversityofBaltimore,whereitsoldoutticketsforthreesuccessivescreenings;thefilmarousedparticularinterestamongundergroundcinemafansfollowingthesuccessofMultipleManiacs,whichhadbeguntobescreenedinNewYorkCity,Philadelphia,andSanFrancisco.[57]BeingpickedupbythesmallindependentcompanyNewLineCinema,PinkFlamingoswasdistributedtoBenBarenholtz,theowneroftheElginTheaterinNewYorkCity.AttheElginTheater,Barenholtzhadbeenpromotingthemidnightmoviescene,primarilybyscreeningAlejandroJodorowsky'sacidwesternfilmElTopo(1970).Barenholtzfeltthatbeingofanavant-gardenature,PinkFlamingoswouldfitinwellwiththiscrowd,screeningitatmidnightonFridayandSaturdaynights.[58][59]ThefilmsoongainedacultfollowingattheElginTheatre.Barenholtzcharacterizeditsearlyfansasprimarilybeing"downtowngaypeople,moreofthehipperset,"butafterawhilehenotedthatthisgroupbroadened,withthefilmbecomingpopularwith"working-classkidsfromNewJerseywhowouldbecomealittlerowdy".[60]Manyofthesecultcinemafanslearnedallofthefilm'slines,recitingthematthescreenings,aphenomenonwhichbecameassociatedwithanotherpopularmidnightmovieoftheera,TheRockyHorrorPictureShow(1975).[60] WhilekeepinghisinvolvementwithWaters'sundergroundfilmmakingasecretfromhisparents,Divinecontinuedrelyingonthemfinancially,chargingthemforexpensivepartiesthatheheldandwritingbadchecks.Afterhechargedthemforamajorrepairtohiscarin1972,hisparentsconfiscateditfromhimandtoldhimthattheywouldnotcontinuetosupporthiminsuchamanner.Inretaliation,hecamebytheirhousethefollowingday,collectedhistwopetdogsandthendisappeared,notseeingorspeakingwiththemforthenextnineyears.Instead,hesentthemoverfiftypostcardsfromacrosstheworld,informingthemthathewasfine,butonnonedidheleaveareturnaddress.[61]FrancesandHarrisMilsteadretiredsoonafterandmovedtoFloridaattheadviceofHarris'sdoctor,whoprescribedthesouthernstate'swarmerweatherasbeingbeneficialforHarris'smusculardystrophy.[62] TheaterworkandFemaleTrouble:1973–1978[edit] WhenthefilmingofPinkFlamingosfinished,DivinereturnedtoSanFrancisco,whereheandMinkStolestarredinanumberofsmall-budgetplaysatthePalaceTheateraspartofdragtroupeTheCockettes,includingDivineandHerStimulatingStuds,DivineSavestheWorld,VicePalace,JourneytotheCenterofUranusandTheHeartbreakofPsoriasis.[63][64][65]ItwasherethathefirstmetandrogynousperformerSylvester.[66]DivinepurchasedahouseinSantaMonica,whichhefurnishedtohisexpensivetastes.[67]OnvisitstoWashingtonD.C.duringtheearly1970s,DivineandWatersattendedthecity'sballsthatwerefrequentedbyLGBTAfrican-Americans.Here,WatersencouragedDivine'sdragpersonatobecomemoreoutrageous,exposingheroverweightstomachandcarryingweapons.HelatercommentedthathewantedDivinetobecome"theGodzillaofdragqueens",[68]adirectconfrontationwiththemajorityofEuro-AmericandragqueenswhowantedtobeMissAmerica.[68][69]Inhisprivatelife,DivinebecamethegodfatherofBrookYeaton,thesonofhisfriendsChuckYeatonandPatMoran;BrookandDivineremainedverycloseuntilDivine'sdeath.[70] In1974,DivinereturnedtoBaltimoretofilmWaters'snextmotionpicture,FemaleTrouble,inwhichheplayedtheleadrole.Divine'scharacter,teenagedelinquentDawnDavenport,embracestheideathatcrimeisartandiseventuallyexecutedintheelectricchairforherviolentbehavior.[71][72]WatersclaimedthatthecharacterofDawnhadbeenpartlybasedonthemutualfriendwhohadintroducedhimtoDivine,CarolWernig,whilethecostumesandmake-upwereoncemoredesignedbyVanSmithtocreatethedesired"trashy,sluttylook."[73]Inthefilm,Divinedidhisownstunts,includingthetrampolinescene,forwhichhehadtoundertakeanumberoftrampolininglessons.[74]Divinealsoplayedhisfirston-screenmaleroleinthefilm,EarlPeterson,andWatersincludedasceneduringwhichthesetwocharactershadsexualintercourseasajokeonthefactthatbothcharacterswereplayedbythesameactor.FemaleTroubleprovedtobeDivine'sfavoriteofhisfilms,becauseitbothallowedhimtodevelophischaracterandtofinallyplayamalerole,somethinghehadalwaysfeltimportantbecausehefearedbeingtypecastasafemaleimpersonator.[74][75][76]DivinewasalsoresponsibleforsingingthethemetuneforFemaleTrouble,althoughitwasneverreleasedasasingle.[77]Divineremainedproudofthefilm,althoughitreceivedamixedcriticalreception.[78] In1977,Divineco-starredintherevueRestlessUnderwear,alongsideCanadianrockbandRoughTrade,whichplayedatMasseyHallinToronto.In1980,therevueappearedattheBeaconTheateronManhattan'sUpperWestSide.BernardJay,Divine'smanager,saidthatitwasa"giganticdisaster",asDivinedidnothaveaslargeapartintherevueasaudiencemembersexpected.[79] DivinewasunabletoappearinWaters'snextfeature,DesperateLiving(1977),despitethefactthattheroleofMoleMcHenryhadbeenwrittenforhim.Thiswasbecausehehadreturnedtoworkinginthetheater,thistimetakingtheroleoftheschemingprisonmatronPaulineinTomEyen'scomedyWomenBehindBars.PerformedinNewYorkCity'sTruckandWarehouseTheater,theplayprovedpopularandwaslatertakentoLondon'sWhitehallTheaternexttoTrafalgarSquare.Containinganewcast,itprovedlesssuccessfulthanithadinNewYork.[80][81][82]ItwasinthiscitythatDivinemetagroupofpeoplewhomhewouldcometoknowashis"Londonfamily":fashiondesignerZandraRhodes,photographerRobynBeeche,sculptorAndrewLoganandthelatter'spartner,MichaelDavis.[83]WhileinLondonin1978,DivineattendedastheguestofhonouratthefourthAlternativeMissWorldpageant,a"mock"eventfoundedbyLoganin1972inwhich"dragqueens"–includingmen,womenandchildren–competedfortheprize.TheeventwasfilmedbydirectorRichardGayer,whosesubsequentfilm,entitledAlternativeMissWorld,premieredattheOdeoninLondon'sLeicesterSquareaswellasfeaturingattheCannesFilmFestival,botheventswhichwereattendedbyDivine.[84] ImpressedwithDivine'sperformanceinWomenBehindBars,playwrightTomEyendecidedtowriteanewplaythatwouldfeaturehiminastarringrole.TheresultwasTheNeonWoman,astorysetin1962featuringDivineasFlashStorm,thefemaleownerofaBaltimorestripclub.ItplayedattheHurrah!clubinNewYorkCitybeforemovingontotheAlcazarTheatreinSanFrancisco.Divineremainedveryproudofthework,seeingitasevidencethathisactingskillswerecomingtowiderrecognition,andhisperformanceswereattendedbysuchcelebritiesasEarthaKitt,EltonJohn,andLizaMinnelli.[85][86][87]ItwasduringtheNewYorklegoftheplay'stourthatDivinebefriendedJayBennett;theysubsequentlybeganrentinganapartmenttogetheron58thStreet.Inthecity,Divineassembledagroupoffriendsthatcametobeknownashis"NewYorkfamily":designerLarryLeGaspi,makeupartistConradSantiago,VincentNasso,anddresserFrankiePiazza.Whilethere,hefrequentedthefamousclubStudio54,havingaloveofpartyingandclubculture.[88] EarlydiscoworkandPolyester:1979–1983[edit] Divineeventuallydecidedtoabandonhisagent,RobertHussong,andreplacehimwithhisEnglishfriendBernardJay.Jaysuggestedthatwithhisloveofclubs,Divinecouldobtainworkperforminginthem;asaresult,Divinefirstappearedin1979atagayclubinFortLauderdale,Florida,wherehisunscriptedactincludedshouting"fuckyou"repeatedlyattheaudienceandthengettingintoafightwithanotherdragqueen,agimmickthatprovedpopularwiththeclub'sclientele.Subsequently,hesawthecommercialpotentialofincludingdiscosongsinwithhisactand,withTomEyenandcomposerHenryKrieger,created"BorntobeCheap"in1981.[89][90]In1981DivineappearedinJohnWaters'snextfilm,Polyester,starringasFrancineFishpaw.Unlikeearlierroles,Fishpawwasnotastrongfemalebutameekandvictimizedwomanwhofallsinlovewithherdreamlover,ToddTomorrow,playedbyTabHunter.Inreallife,tabloidpublicationsclaimedaromanticconnectionbetweenthem,anassertionbothdenied.[91][92]Thefilmwasreleasedin"Odorama",accompaniedby"scratch'n'sniff"cardsfortheaudiencetosmellatkeypointsinthefilm.[93]SoonafterPolyester,DivineauditionedforamaleroleinRidleyScott'supcomingscience-fictionfilmBladeRunner.EventhoughScottthoughtDivineunsuitableforthepart,heclaimedtobeenthusiasticaboutDivine'sworkandwasveryinterestedinincludinghiminanotherofhisfilms,butultimatelythisnevercameabout.[94] Thatsameyear,Divinedecidedtogetbackincontactwithhisestrangedparents.HismotherhadlearnedofhiscinematicanddiscocareerafterreadinganarticleaboutthefilmsofJohnWatersinLifemagazine,andhadgonetoseeFemaleTroubleatthecinema,buthadnotfeltemotionallyabletogetbackincontactwithhersonuntil1981.ShegotafriendtohandDivineanoteatoneofhisconcerts,leadingDivinetotelephoneher,andthefamilywassubsequentlyreunited.[95]Therelationshipwasmended,andDivineboughtthemlavishgiftsandinformedthemofhowwealthyhewas.Infact,accordingtohismanagerBernardJay,hewasalreadyheavilyindebtduetohisextravagantspending.[96]In1982,hethenjoinedforceswithyoungAmericancomposerBobbyOrlando,whowroteanumberofHi-NRGsinglesforDivine,including"NativeLove(StepByStep)","ShootYourShot",and"LoveReaction".Tohelppublicizethesesingles,whichprovedtobesuccessfulinmanydiscosacrosstheworld,DivinewentontelevisionshowslikeGoodMorningAmerica,aswellasonaseriesoftoursinwhichhecombinedhismusicalperformanceswithcomedicstuntsandroutinesthatoftenplayeduptohischaracters'stereotypeofbeing"trashy"andoutrageous.[97][98]Throughouttherestofthe1980s,Divinetookhismusicalperformancesontouracrosstheworld,attainingaparticularlylargefollowinginEurope.[99][100] HealsoappearedinfilmsbyRosavonPraunheim,forexamplein1979inTallyBrown,NewYork.Divinewasfriendwithboth(thedirectorandTallyBrown). Laterlife[edit] Laterdiscowork,LustintheDust,andHairspray:1984–1988[edit] Divine'scareerasadiscosingercontinuedandhisrecordshadsoldwell,butheandhismanagementfeltthattheywerenotreceivingtheirshareoftheprofits.TheywenttocourtagainstOrlandoandhiscompany,O-Records,andsuccessfullynullifiedtheircontract.AftersigningwithBarryEvangeli'scompany,InTuneMusicLimited,Divinereleasedseveralnewdiscorecords,including"YouThinkYou'reAMan"and"I'mSoBeautiful",whichwerebothco-producedbyPeteWatermanofthethen-up-and-comingUKproductionteamofStockAitkenWaterman.[101]IntheUnitedKingdom,Divinesanghishit"YouThinkYou'reAMan"–asongwhichhehaddedicatedtohisparents–onBBCtelevisionshowTopofthePops.Hegainedadevoutfollower,BritonMitchWhitehead,amanwhodeclaredhimselfDivine's"number1fan",tattooinghimselfwithimagesofhisidolandeventuallyaidingBernardJayinsettingupforDivine'sshowonstage.[102]InLondon,DivinealsobefriendeddragcomedyactPaulO'Grady,withJayhelpingO'GradyobtainhisfirstbookingsintheU.S.[103] ThenextDivinefilm,LustintheDust(1985),reunitedhimwithTabHunterandwasDivine'sfirstfilmnotdirectedbyJohnWaters.SetintheWildWestduringthenineteenthcentury,themoviewasasexcomedythatstarredDivineasRosieVelez,apromiscuouswomanwhoworksasasingerinsaloonsandcompetesfortheloveofAbelWood(TabHunter)againstanotherwoman.Aparodyofthe1946westernDuelintheSun,thefilmwasacriticalsuccess,withDivinereceivingpraisefromanumberofreviewers.[104][105]Divinefollowedthisproductionwithaverydifferentrole,thatofgaymalegangsterHillyBlueinTroubleinMind(1985).ThescriptwaswrittenwithDivineinmind.Althoughnotamajorcharacterinthefilm,Divinehadbeeneagertoplaythepartbecausehewishedtoperforminmoremalerolesandleavebehindthestereotypeofsimplybeingafemaleimpersonator.Reviewsofthefilmweremixed,asweretheevaluationsofDivine'sperformance.[106][107] AfterfinishinghisworkonTroubleinMind,DivineagainbecameinvolvedwithaJohnWatersproject,thefilmHairspray(1988).SetinBaltimoreduringthe1960s,Hairsprayrevolvedaroundself-proclaimed"pleasantlyplump"teenagerTracyTurnbladasshepursuesstardomasadanceronalocaltelevisionshowandralliesagainstracialsegregation.AshehadinWaters'searlierfilmFemaleTrouble,Divinetookontworolesinthefilm,oneofwhichwasfemaleandtheothermale.Thefirstofthese,EdnaTurnblad,wasTracy'slovingmother;Divinelaternotedthatwiththischaracterhecouldnotbeaccuratelydescribedasadragqueen,proclaiming"Whatdragqueenwouldallowherselftolooklikethis?IlooklikehalfthewomenfromBaltimore."[108]HissecondcharacterinthefilmwasthatoftheracisttelevisionstationownerArvinHodgepile.Inoneinterview,DivineadmittedthathehadhopedtoplayboththeroleofmotheranddaughterinHairspray,butthattheproducershadbeen"abitleery"andchoseRickiLakeforthelatterroleinstead.[109]DivinewentontostatehisopiniononLake,jokinglytellingtheinterviewerthat"Sheisnineteenanddelightful.Ihateher."[109]Inrealitytheyhadbecomegoodfriendswhileworkingtogetheronset.[110]Reviewsofthefilmwerepredominantlypositive,withDivineinparticularbeingsingledoutforpraise;severalcommentatorsexpressedtheiropinionthatthefilmmarkedDivine'sbreakthroughintomainstreamcinema.[111]Hesubsequentlytookhismothertothefilm'spremiereintheMiamiFilmFestivalbeforesheoncemoreaccompaniedhimtotheBaltimorepremiere,thistimealsowithseveralofhisotherrelatives.Afterthescreening,apartywasheldattheBaltimoreMuseumofArt,whereFrancesMilsteadgrantedanimpromptuinterviewtotheEnglishfilmcriticJonathanRoss,afriendandfanofDivine's.[112] Divine'sfinalfilmrolewasinthelow-budgetcomedyhorrorOutoftheDark,filmedandproducedinLosAngeleswiththesamecrewasLustintheDust.Appearinginonlyonescenewithinthefilm,heplayedthecharacterofDetectiveLangella,afoul-mouthedpolicemaninvestigatingthemurdersofakillerclown.OutoftheDarkwasreleasedtheyearafterDivine'sdeath.[113]Divinehadbecomeawell-knowncelebritythroughoutthe1980s,appearingonAmericantelevisionchatshowssuchasLateNightwithDavidLetterman,ThickeoftheNight,andTheMervGriffinShowtopromotebothhismusicandhisfilmappearances.Divine-themedmerchandisewasproduced,includinggreetingcardsandTheSimplyDivineCut-OutDollBook.PortraitsofDivinewerepaintedbyseveralfamousartists,includingDavidHockneyandAndyWarhol,bothofwhomwereknownfortheirworkswhichdealtwithpopularculture.[114] Death:1988[edit] GlennMilstead'sgraveatProspectHillParkCemetery,Towson,Maryland OnMarch7,1988,threeweeksafterHairspraywasreleasednationwide,DivinewasstayingattheRegencyPlazaSuitesHotelinLosAngeles.HewasscheduledtotapeaguestappearancethefollowingdayasUncleOttoontheFoxnetwork'stelevisionseriesMarried...withChildreninthesecondseasonwrap-upepisode.[6][115]AfterspendingalldayatSunsetGowerStudiosforrehearsals,Divinereturnedtohishotelthatevening,wherehedinedwithfriendsatthehotelrestaurantbeforereturningtohisroom.Shortlybeforemidnight,hediedinhissleep,atage42,ofheartfailure.[116]HisbodywasdiscoveredbyBernardJaythefollowingmorning,whothensatwiththebodyforthenextsixhours,alongsidethreeofDivine'sotherfriends.TheycontactedThomasNoguchi,theformerchiefcoronerofLosAngelesCounty,whoarrangedforremovalofthebody;Divine'sfriendswereabletopreventthepressfromtakinganyphotographsofthebodyasitwasbeingcarriedoutofthehotel.[117][118] Divine'sbodywasflownbacktoMarylandandtakentoRuck'sFuneralHomeinTowson,whereacasketwasobtainedforhim.ThefuneraltookplaceatProspectHillCemetery,whereacrowdofhundredshadassembledtopaytheirrespects.[119]TheceremonywasconductedbyLelandHigginbotham,whohadbaptizedDivineintotheChristianfaithmanyyearsbefore.JohnWatersgaveaspeechandwasoneofthepallbearerswhothencarriedthecoffintoitsfinalrestingplace,nexttothegraveofDivine'sgrandmother.Manyflowerswereleftatthegrave,includingawreathsentbyactressWhoopiGoldberg,whichboretheremark"Seewhathappenswhenyougetgoodreviews."[120][121]Followingthefuneral,atributewasheldattheBaltimoreGovernor'sMansion.[122]Intheensuingweeks,theInternalRevenueServiceconfiscatedmanyofDivine'spossessionsandauctionedthemoff,asrestitutionforunpaidtaxes.[123] Dragpersonaandperformance[edit] Divine:"Howmuchdidyoupaytogetintonight?"Audience:"Tendollars."Divine:"Wellnow,that'seightdollarstoseetheshow–andtwodollarstofuckmerightafter.AlllineupoutsidethedressingroomandI'llbeheretillChristmas!" AnexampleofDivine'sbanterwithhisaudience[124] Afterdevelopinganameforhimselfasafemaleimpersonatorknownfor"trashy"behaviorinhisearlyJohnWatersfilms,Divinecapitalizedonthisimagebyappearingathismusicalperformancesinhisdragpersona.Inthisrole,hewasdescribedbyhismanagerBernardJay,asdisplaying"Trash.Filth.Obscenity.Inbucket-loads".[125]Divinedescribedhisstageperformancesas"justgood,dirtyfun,andifyoufinditoffensive,honey,don'tjoinin."[124]Asapartofhisperformance,heconstantlysworeattheaudience,oftenusinghissignaturelineof"fuckyouverymuch",andattimesgotaudiencememberstocomeonstage,wherehewouldfondletheirbuttocks,groins,andbreasts.[126]Divineandhisstageactprovedparticularlypopularamonggayaudiences,andheappearedatsomeoftheworld'sbiggestgayclubs,suchasCentralLondon'sHeaven.AccordingtoDivine'smanagerBernardJay,thiswasnotbecauseDivinehimselfwasgay,butbecausethegaycommunity"openlyandproudlyidentifiedwiththedeterminationofthefemalecharacterDivine".[127] Divinebecameincreasinglyknownforoutlandishstuntsonstage,eachtimetryingtooutdowhathehaddonebefore.AtoneperformanceinLondon'sHippodromecoincidingwithAmericanIndependenceDay,Divineroseupfromtheflooronahydrauliclift,drapedintheAmericanflag,anddeclared:"I'mhererepresentingFreedom,Liberty,FamilyValues,andthefuckingAmericanWayofLife."[128]WhenheperformedattheLondonGayPrideparade,hesangontheroofofahiredpleasureboatthatfloateddowntheThamespastJubileeGardens.[129]AtaperformanceDivinegaveattheHippodromeinthelastyearofhislife,heappearedonstageridinganinfantelephantwhichhadbeenhiredfortheoccasion.[130][131]Divinewasneverthelessnothappywithbeingknownprimarilyforhisdragact,andtoldaninterviewerthat"myfavoritepartofdragisgettingoutofit.Dragismyworkclothes.Ionlyputitonwhensomeonepaysmeto",[132]aviewheechoedtohisfriends.[87][133] Personallife[edit] Duringhischildhoodandadolescence,Divinewascalled"Glenn"byhisfriendsandfamily;asanadult,heusedthestagename"Divine"ashispersonalname,tellingoneinterviewerthatboth"Divine"and"GlennMilstead"were"bothjustnames.GlennisthenameIwasbroughtupwith,DivineisthenameI'vebeenusingforthepast23years.Iguessit'salwaysGlennandit'salwaysDivine.DoyoumeanthecharacterDivineorthepersonDivine?Yousee,itgetsverycomplicated.There'stheDivineyou'retalkingtonowandthere'sthecharacterDivine,whichisjustsomethingIdotomakealiving.Shedoesn'treallyexistatall."[134]Atonepointhehadthename"Divine"officiallyrecognized,asitappearedonhispassport,andinkeepingwithhispersonaluseofthename,hisclosefriendsnicknamedhim"Divy".[135] Divineidentifiedasagayman.[136]Duringthe1980s,hehadanextendedrelationshipwithamarriedmannamedLeeL'Ecuyer,whoaccompaniedhimalmosteverywherethathewent.[137]Theylaterseparated,andDivinewentontohaveabriefaffairwithgaypornstarLeoFord,whichwaswidelyreporteduponbythegaypress.[138]AccordingtohismanagerBernardJay,Divineregularlyengagedinsexualactivitieswithyoungmenthathewouldmeetwhileontour,sometimesbecominginfatuatedwiththem;inonecase,hemetayoungmaninIsraelwhomhewantedtobringbacktotheUnitedStates,butwaspreventedfromdoingsobyJay.[139]ThisimageofpromiscuitywasdisputedbyhisfriendAnneCersosimo,whoclaimedthatDivineneverexhibitedsuchbehaviorwhenontour.[140]Divineinitiallyavoidedinformingthemediaabouthissexuality,evenwhenquestionedbyinterviewers,andwouldsometimeshintthathewasbisexual,butinthelatterpartofthe1980schangedthisattitudeandbeganbeingopenabouthishomosexuality.[141]Nonetheless,heavoideddiscussinggayrights,partiallyattheadviceofhismanager,realizingthatitwouldhavehadanegativeeffectonhiscareer.[142] Divine'smother,FrancesMilstead,remarkedthatwhileDivine"wasblessedwithmanytalentsandabilities,hecouldbeverymoodyanddemanding."[143]Shenotedthatwhilehewas"incrediblykindandgenerous",healwayswantedtogetthingsdonethewaythathewanted,andwould"tuneyououtifyoudispleasedhim."[143]Shenotedthatinmostinterviews,hecameacrossas"averyshyandprivateperson".[144]Divine'sDutchfriendsgavehimtwobulldogsintheearly1980s,onwhichhedoted,namingthemBeatrixandClausafterQueenBeatrixandherhusbandPrinceClausoftheNetherlands.Onnumerousoccasionshewouldhavehisphotographtakenwiththemandsometimesusetheseimagesforrecordcoversandposters.[145]Divinesufferedfromproblemswithobesityfromchildhood,causedbyhisloveoffood,andinlaterlifehishungerwasincreasedbyhisdailyuseofmarijuana,anaddictionthathepubliclyadmittedto.[146][147]AccordingtoBernardJay,inDivine'sfinalyears,whenhisdiscocareerwascomingtoanendandhewasstrugglingtofindactingjobs,hefeltsuicidalandthreatenedtokillhimselfonseveraloccasions.[148] Astohisgenderidentity,lifelongfriendandclosecollaboratorJohnWaterssaid,“People[think]Divine—theyalwaysthinkwrong—wastrans.Divineneverdressedasawomanexceptwhenhewasworking.Hehadnodesiretobeawoman...Hedidn’twanttopassasawoman;hewantedtopassasamonster.Hewasthoughtuptoscarehippies.Andthat’swhathewantedtodo.HewantedtobeGodzilla.Well,hewantedtobeElizabethTaylorandGodzillaputtogether.”[149] Legacyandinfluence[edit] TheNewYorkTimessaidofMilstead's1980sfilms:"ThosewhocouldgetpasttheunremittingweirdnessofDivine'sperformancediscoveredthattheactor/actresshadgenuinetalent,includinganaturalsenseofcomictimingandanuncannygiftforslapstick."[150]Inalettertothenewspaper,PaulThornquistdescribedhimas"oneofthefewtrulyradicalandessentialartistsofthecentury...[who]wasanaudacioussymbolofman'squestforlibertyandfreedom."[151]Peoplemagazinedescribedhimas"theGoddessofGross,thePunkElephant,theBigBadMamaoftheMidnightMovies...[and]aMissPiggyfortheblissfullydepraved."[1]Followinghisdeath,fansofDivinevisitedProspectHillCemeterytopaytheirrespects.Inwhathasbecomeatradition,fanshavebeenknowntoleavemakeup,food,andgraffitionhisgraveinmemoriam;Watersclaimsthatsomefanshavesexualintercourseonhisgrave,whichhebelievesDivinewouldlove.[123][150] Divinehasleftaninfluenceonanumberofmusicians.Duringthemid-1980s,theandrogynousperformerSylvesterdecoratedthepowderroomofhisSanFranciscohomewithDivinememorabilia.[66]AnohniofthebandAntonyandtheJohnsonswroteasongaboutDivinewhichwasincludedinthegroup'sself-titleddebutalbum,releasedin1998.Thesong,titled"Divine",wasanodetotheactor,whowasoneofAnohni'slifelongheroes.Heradmirationisexpressedinthelines:"Hewasmyself-determinedguru"and"Iturntothinkofyou/Whowalkedthewaywithsomuchpain/Whoholdsthemirroruptofools."[152]In2008,IrishelectronicsingerRóisínMurphypaidhomagetoDivineinthemusicvideoforhersong"MovieStar"byreenactingtheattackbyLobstorafromMultipleManiacs.[153] DivinewasaninspirationforUrsulatheSeaWitch,thevillaininthe1989DisneyanimatedfilmTheLittleMermaid.[154]DuetoDivine'sportrayalofEdnaTurnbladintheoriginalcomedy-filmversionofHairspray,latermusicaladaptationsofHairsprayhavecommonlyplacedmaleactorsintheroleofEdna,includingHarveyFiersteinandothersinthe2002Broadwaymusical,andJohnTravoltainthe2007musicalfilm.Atwelve-foot-tall(3.7-meter)statueinthelikenessofDivinebyAndrewLogancanbeseenonpermanentdisplayatTheAmericanVisionaryArtMuseuminDivine'shometownofBaltimore.[155] IAmDivine,afeaturedocumentaryonthelifeofDivine,waspremieredatthe2013SouthbySouthwestfilmfestival,andhaditsBaltimorepremierewithinMarylandFilmFestival.ItisproducedanddirectedbyJeffreySchwarzoftheLosAngeles-basedproductioncompanyAutomatPictures.[citationneeded]InAugust2015,aplaybasedonthefinaldayofDivine'slife,Divine/Intervention,wasperformedattheNewYorkFringeFestival.[156] Publications[edit] Divine'smanagerandfriendBernardJaywroteabooktitledNotSimplyDivine!,publishedin1992byVirginBooks.Admittingthathewas"immenselyproud"ofDivineandthecausewhichhe"strivedfor",Jaynotedinthebook'sintroductionthathewrotetheworkbecausehefeltthatDivinedeserveda"memorial"thatwouldactasa"recordforposterity".[157]HeinsistedthatNotSimplyDivine!was"notthebitterrevengeofanunappreciatedmanager,eagernowtogethisshareofhispraise",butthatequallyitwasnot"agushinghomage"designedtopaintDivineas"bothsaintlyandlegendary."[157]Heexpressedhishopethatthebookshineslightonthe"shadesofgrey"betweenthemanandhisfemalepersona,portrayinga"wartsandall"picture.[157]ThebookwascriticizedbyDivine'smother,FrancesMilstead,whoaccusedJayofwritinga"mean-spirited"workthatprovidedanincorrectimageofherson.[158]NotSimplyDivine!wasalsocriticizedbyDivine'sfriendGregGorman,whoremarkedthat,"therewassomuchhostilityandsomuchmeanspiritednessinthewayDivinewasportrayedinthebook,thatitwasjust180degreesfromwhohewas."[159] FrancesMilsteadsubsequentlycowroteherownbookaboutDivine,entitledMySonDivine,withKevinHeffernanandSteveYeager,whichwaspublishedbyAlysonBooksin2001.[160]PostcardsFromDivine,abookcomposedofover50postcardsDivinesenttohisparentswhiletravelingtheworldbetween1977and1987,wasreleasedbytheDivineestateonNovember5,2011.[161]PostcardsFromDivinealsoincludesquotesandstoriesfromhisfriendsandcolleagues,includingWaters,MinkStole,MaryVivianPearce,ChanningWilroy,SusanLowe,JeanHill,TabHunter,LainieKazan,AlanJ.Wendl,RuthBrown,DeborahHarry,JerryStiller,RickiLake,SilvioGiganteandothers.[162] Filmography[edit] Year Film Role Notes 1966 RomanCandles TheSmokingNun 1968 EatYourMakeup JacquelineKennedy 1969 TheDianeLinkletterStory DianeLinkletter MondoTrasho Divine 1970 MultipleManiacs LadyDivine 1972 PinkFlamingos Divine/BabsJohnson 1974 FemaleTrouble DawnDavenport/EarlPeterson 1979 TallyBrown,NewYork Himself Documentary 1980 TheAlternativeMissWorld GuestofHonour/Interviewer Filmedin1978 1981 Polyester FrancineFishpaw 1985 LustintheDust RosieVelez TroubleinMind HillyBlue DivineWaters Himself Documentary 1987 TalesfromtheDarkside ChiaFung 1episode("Seymourlama") 1988 Hairspray EdnaTurnblad/ArvinHodgepile Nominated–IndependentSpiritAwardforBestSupportingMale[163] 1989 OutoftheDark Det.Langella Releasedposthumously 1998 DivineTrash Himself Archivefootageusedfordocumentary 2000 InBadTaste 2002 TheCockettes 2013 IAmDivine Source:DivineatIMDb Discography[edit] Albums[edit] Year Title Recordcompany 1982 JungleJezebel(AKAMyFirstAlbum) ORecords[164]/Metronome[165] 1984 TShirtsandTightBlueJeans(NonStopDanceRemix) BreakRecords[166] Compilationalbums[edit] Year Title Recordcompany 1984 TheStorySoFar Bellaphon[167] 1988 MaidinEngland Bellaphon[168] CDreissues[edit] Year Title Recordcompany 1988 TheStorySoFar ReceiverRecords,KNOB3 1989 TheBestof&TheRestOf ActionReplayRecords,CDAR1007 1990 MaidinEngland ZYXRecords,CD9066 1991 TheBestofDivine:NativeLove "O"Records,HTCD16-2 1993 The12"Collection UnidiscMusicInc.,SPLK-7098 1994 JungleJezebel "O"Records,HTCD6609 1994 TheCreamofDivine PickwickGroupLtd.,PWKS4228 1994 BorntoBeCheap AnagramRecords,CDMGRAM84 1995 ShootYourShot MastertoneMultimediaLtd.,AB3013 1996 TheRemixes AvexUK,AVEXCD29 1996 TheOriginals AvexUK,AVEXCD30 1997 TheBestofDivine DeltaMusic,21024 2005 GreatestHits UnidiscMusicInc.,SPLK-8004 2005 TheGreatestHits ForeverGold,FG351 2009 GreatestHits:TheOriginalsandtheRemixes DanceStreetRecords,DST77226-2 2011 EssentialDivine RightTracktRecords Singles[edit] Year Title Peakchartpositions Album AUS[169] AUT[170] GER[171] NLD[172] NZ[173] SWI[174] UK[175] USDance[176] 1981 "BorntoBeCheap"/"TheNameGame" — — — — — — — — Non-albumsingle.B-sidealsoknownas"GangBang". 1982 "NativeLove(StepbyStep)"/"AlphabetRap" — — — 28 — — - 21 JungleJezebel/MyFirstAlbum "ShootYourShot"/"JungleJezebel" — 9 15 7 — 8 - 39 1983 "LoveReaction" — — 55 25 — — 65 — TheStorySoFar "ShakeItUp" — — 26 13 — — 82 — 1984 "YouThinkYou'reaMan"/"GiveItUp" 8 — 32 — 27 9 16 — "I'mSoBeautiful"/"ShowMeAround" — — 38 — 48 — 52 — "TShirtsandTightBlueJeans" — — — — — — — — Non-albumsingle 1985 "WalkLikeaMan" 75 — 52 — — 28 23 — MaidinEngland "Twistin'theNightAway" — — — — — — 47 — "HardMagic" — — — — — — 87 — 1987 "LittleBaby" — — — — — — — — "HeyYou!" — — — — — — — — 1989 "ShoutItOut" — — — — — — — — Posthumousnon-albumsingle.Recordedin1983. Besidesaforementionedsingles,Divinealsorecordedsuchsongsas"FemaleTrouble","KickYourButt"and"PsychedelicShack",makingatotalof22differenttracks. References[edit] Footnotes[edit] ^abDarrach1988. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 28. ^Jay1993,p. 13. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 7–8. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 7. ^abcdKaltenbach2009. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 8–9. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 9. ^abJay1993,p. 14. ^Jay1993,pp. 14–15. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 10. ^abJay1993,p. 15. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 27. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 24. ^abJay1993,p. 17. ^abJay1993,pp. 18–19. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 4. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 35,40. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 2,35,44. ^Waters2005,pp. 47,52. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 35. ^Waters2005,p. 148. ^abMilstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 45. ^Waters2005,pp. 41–42,150. ^abMilstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 46. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 1. ^abcMilstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 45–46. ^Jay1993,pp. 23–24. ^Waters2005,p. 49. ^abMilstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 47. ^abcJay1993,p. 25. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 47–48. ^Jay1993,p. 21. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 59. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 49. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 50. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 56–57. ^Jay1993,pp. 26–27. ^Waters2005,p. 54. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 51–52. ^Waters2005,p. 61. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 53–54. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 55. ^Waters2005,p. 67. ^Jay1993,pp. 28–31. ^abJay1993,pp. 27–28. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 57. ^Waters2005,pp. 62–64. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 57–59. ^Waters2005,p. 2. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 61. ^Waters2005,p. 7. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 61–65. ^abcMilstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 65. ^Waters2005,pp. 12–14. ^Schoettler,Carl(March16,1972)."Baltimore'sJunkFilmKing".TheEveningSun.Baltimore,Maryland.p. D1. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 66–67. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 69–70. ^Waters2005,p. 21. ^abMilstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 70–71. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 2,68–69. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 67–68. ^Jay1993,p. 33. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 78. ^Waters2005,pp. 72–74. ^abGamson2005,pp. 241–242. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 85. ^abMilstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 79. ^Waters2005,p. 151. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 85–86. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 74–76. ^Waters2005,p. 95. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 77–78. ^abWaters2005,p. 100. ^Jay1993,p. 35. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 77. ^Waters2005,p. 108. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 84. ^Levy,Joseph."ABriefHistoryofRoughTrade".RetrievedNovember21,2014. ^Jay1993,pp. 34–41. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 89,91–92. ^Waters2005,pp. 145,160. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 91. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 97–99. ^Jay1993,p. 43. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 92–95. ^abWaters2005,p. 145. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 96–97. ^Jay1993,pp. 70–75. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 97. ^Jay1993,pp. 93–100. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 102. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 103. ^Jay1993,p. 110. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 2,5,107–108. ^Jay1993,pp. 143–145. ^Jay1993,pp. 113–123. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 113. ^Jay1993,pp. 129,136,172and182. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 118. ^Jay1993,pp. 150–154,178. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 113–115,128. ^O'Grady2012,pp. 276–283. ^Jay1993,pp. 164–165. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 119–121. ^Jay1993,pp. 179–181. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 122–125. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 137. ^abRubenstein1988. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 135. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 140. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 141–145. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 150. ^Jay1993,pp. 137–139. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 149. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 113–115,153. ^Jay1993,p. 224. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 154–155. ^Wilson,Scott.RestingPlaces:TheBurialSitesofMoreThan14,000FamousPersons,3ded.:2(KindleLocations12421-12422).McFarland&Company,Inc.,Publishers.KindleEdition. ^Jay1993,pp. 225–226. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 155–162. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 163. ^abMilstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 164. ^abJay1993,p. 105. ^Jay1993,p. 171. ^Jay1993,p. 151. ^Jay1993,p. 90. ^Jay1993,p. 184. ^Jay1993,pp. 199–200. ^Jay1993,pp. 216–217. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 114. ^Jay1993,p. 128. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 38. ^Jay1993,p. 3. ^Jay1993,pp. 126,56. ^Waters2005,p. 154. ^Jay1993,pp. 101–104. ^Jay1993,p. 203. ^Jay1993,pp. 197–198. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 117. ^Jay1993,p. 199. ^Jay1993,p. 200. ^abMilstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. preface. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,p. 86. ^Jay1993.pp.146–147. ^Jay1993,p. 57. ^Milstead,Heffernan&Yeager2001,pp. 112,149–150. ^Jay1993,p. 206. ^"JohnWatersonAnnaWintour,StayingYouthful,andWhyTrumpRuinedCamp".June28,2019. 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Bibliography[edit] Curley,Mallory(2010).ACookieMuellerEncyclopedia.RandyPress. Darrach,Brad(March21,1988)."DeathComestoaQuietManWhoMadeDragQueenHistoryasDivine".People.Vol. 29,no. 11. Fallowell,Duncan(October27,1994)."Divine".20thCenturyCharacters.London:Vintage.ISBN 978-009947041-0. Gamson,Joshua(2005).TheFabulousSylvester:TheLegend,theMusic,the70sinSanFrancisco.NewYorkCity:HenryHoltandCo.ISBN 978-0-8050-7250-1. Jay,Bernard(1993).NotSimplyDivine!.London:VirginBooks.ISBN 978-0-86369-740-1. Kaltenbach,Chris(March24,2009)."FrancesMilstead,motherofDivine,diesat88".TheBaltimoreSun.RetrievedMarch31,2009.[permanentdeadlink] Milstead,Frances;Heffernan,Kevin;Yeager,Steve(2001).MySonDivine.LosAngelesandNewYork:AlysonBooks.ISBN 978-1-55583-594-1. O'Grady,Paul(2012).StillStanding:TheSavageYears.London:Bantam.ISBN 978-0-593-06939-4. Rubenstein,Hal(February1988)."InterviewwithDivine".Interview.NewYorkCity:BrantPublications.RetrievedMay30,2017. Waters,John(2005)[1981].ShockValue:ATastefulBookaboutBadTaste.Philadelphia:RunningPress.ISBN 978-1-56025-698-4. Externallinks[edit] Marylandportal Biographyportal LGBTportal WikimediaCommonshasmediarelatedtoDivine. Officialwebsite DivineatIMDb DivineatAllMovie DivineatAllMusic TheDivinewebpage DivineonMTV.com vteDivineStudioalbums MyFirstAlbum(1982) Compilations TheStorySoFar(1984) MaidinEngland(1988) Singles "NativeLove(StepbyStep)" "ShootYourShot" "LoveReaction" "ShakeItUp" "YouThinkYou'reaMan" "I'mSoBeautiful" "WalkLikeaMan" "Twistin'theNightAway" "HardMagic" AuthoritycontrolGeneral ISNI 1 2 VIAF 1 WorldCat Nationallibraries Spain France(data) Germany Israel UnitedStates Japan Netherlands Biographicaldictionaries Germany Other FacetedApplicationofSubjectTerminology MusicBrainzartist SocialNetworksandArchivalContext 2 SUDOC(France) 1 Retrievedfrom"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Divine_(performer)&oldid=1099709425" Categories:1945births1988deaths20th-centuryAmericanmaleactors20th-centuryAmericanmalesingers20th-centuryAmericansingers20th-centuryLGBTpeopleAmericandancemusiciansAmericandiscomusiciansAmericandragqueensAmericanHi-NRGmusiciansAmericanmalefilmactorsAmericanmalepopsingersAmericanpeopleofSerbiandescentAmericangayactorsAmericangaymusiciansCultureofBaltimoreLGBTpeoplefromMarylandLGBTsingersfromtheUnitedStatesMaleactorsfromBaltimoreMusiciansfromBaltimoreOutsidermusiciansPeoplefromLutherville,MarylandSingersfromMarylandSituationTwoartistsTowsonHighSchoolalumniHiddencategories:ArticleswithshortdescriptionShortdescriptionisdifferentfromWikidataUsemdydatesfromApril2020GoodarticlesArticleswithhCardsAllarticleswithunsourcedstatementsArticleswithunsourcedstatementsfromAugust2015AllarticleswithdeadexternallinksArticleswithdeadexternallinksfromJuly2018ArticleswithpermanentlydeadexternallinksCommonscategorylinkisonWikidataArticleswithISNIidentifiersArticleswithVIAFidentifiersArticleswithWORLDCATIDidentifiersArticleswithBNEidentifiersArticleswithBNFidentifiersArticleswithGNDidentifiersArticleswithJ9UidentifiersArticleswithLCCNidentifiersArticleswithNDLidentifiersArticleswithNTAidentifiersArticleswithDTBIOidentifiersArticleswithFASTidentifiersArticleswithMusicBrainzidentifiersArticleswithSNAC-IDidentifiersArticleswithSUDOCidentifiersArticleswithmultipleidentifiers Navigationmenu Personaltools NotloggedinTalkContributionsCreateaccountLogin Namespaces ArticleTalk English Views ReadEditViewhistory More Search Navigation MainpageContentsCurrenteventsRandomarticleAboutWikipediaContactusDonate Contribute HelpLearntoeditCommunityportalRecentchangesUploadfile Tools WhatlinkshereRelatedchangesUploadfileSpecialpagesPermanentlinkPageinformationCitethispageWikidataitem Print/export DownloadasPDFPrintableversion Inotherprojects WikimediaCommons Languages AfrikaansالعربيةAsturianuتۆرکجهBrezhonegCatalàČeštinaCymraegDeutschΕλληνικάEspañolفارسیFrançaisGalego한국어ՀայերենItalianoעבריתMagyarمصرىNederlands日本語NorskbokmålPolskiPortuguêsРусскийСрпски/srpskiSrpskohrvatski/српскохрватскиSuomiSvenskaTürkçeУкраїнська Editlinks