Divas Don’t Disappoint

Last night VH1 revived their famed concert series, “Divas Live,” with some of today’s hottest and youngest femme fatales. From Miley Cyrus to Adelle, Kelly Clarkson to Jordin Sparks, the moniker Diva may be a bit premature for some of these ladies, but after last night’s performance they all certainly won that title in my heart. Though tragically hosted by seemingly mentally challenged Paula Abdul, and a sorry bunch of special presenters (we get it, “Fame” is coming out soon!) the Divas they chose for this year’s fete were graceful, talented, humble, and able to hit every note flawlessly.

The format for the show was that each Diva sang a solo, which was one of their hit songs with a special arrangement for the performance and then they performed a duet with a veteran Diva. Jennifer Hudson opened the show with “Spotlight,” and the momentum only picked up from there. Kelly Clarkson, though looking a bit less polished than the other divas, proved why she was our first American Idol with her slower, more soulful rendition of “Already Gone.” Jordin Sparks and Miley Cyrus, the youngest divas at 19 and 16, got the crowd dancing with “S.O.S. (Let The Music Play)” and “Party in the USA,” while Adele infused her style with an Afro-Caribbean style call and answer for “Hometown Glory,” and Leona Lewis was a true crowd-pleaser with “Happy.”

I think what turned the show into a historic event, especially for the young Divas on stage, were the duets that followed in the second act. In what I assume is a nod to the presumably large gay audience, Leona Lewis and Cyndi Lauper began with a duet of “True Colors,” and it was indeed more beautiful than a rainbow. Adele & India Arie struck a beautiful harmony, while Jennifer Hudson and Stevie Wonder tried to out sing each other, Jordin Spearks and Martina McBride illustrated the crossover appeal of Country, and Miley Cyrus seemed like a true protégé when she sang “If It Makes You Happy,” with Sheryl Crow.

The gayest moment (besides Paula’s Ellen impersonation or the Fame cast) was the show’s rockin’ closer in which Kelly Clarkson paired with Melissa Etheridge to wail on “Bring Me Some Water.”

I’ll let the Divas sing it for you themselves, but it was truly a night when some of the brightest talent of today was able to hold their own and honor those that came before. I can hardly wait for VH1 Divas Live 2010.  

P.S. Did I mention Liza Minnelli made a surprise appearance? Tragic.

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