“To me, beauty is looks that you can never forget. And I’ve walked down the street with Divine and seen car accidents happen.” John Waters on Late Night with David Letterman, 18 March 1982.
“Divine is a real man. And he’s just as charming out of character, walking down a New York street with his balding head and his favourite mechanic’s overalls or a Zandra Rhodes chiffon caftan. Like a platinum and exaggerated overweight Jayne Mansfield, he can wobble into the best parties in New York and Paris, break through glass barriers and charm everyone.” André Leon Talley reflecting on Divine in the 1984 book Mega Star.
Today represents a momentous occasion! Beloved freak diva / drag monster / hog princess extraordinaire / John Waters’ 300-pound leading lady / hi-NRG disco chanteuse, the raunchy Queen Mutha of us all, the artist formerly known as Harris Glenn Milstead – Divine (19 October 1945 – 7 March 1988) was born 80 years ago! Eat a meatball sandwich right out in class today in his honour! (Or perhaps you’d prefer a double egg salad on white toast?). Now sing along with me: “My car is by Ferrari and my body's Jack LaLanne / My clothes are by Armani and my hair is by Elaine / Tiffany and Cartier are telling me the time / This native love is restless, and I'm just not satisfied …” Pictured: Divine photographed by Greg Gorman for l.a. Eyeworks ad campaign in 1987.