(Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Being a diva isn’t really about singing, it’s about attitude and last night at VH1 Divas Live, there was plenty of it to go around.
Starting with the show’s host, Adam Lambert, who went through seven outfit changes during the course of the two-hour show including a literally sharp suit equipped with spikes that stuck out from his arms and legs.
Adam kicked off the night with a shiny black leather trench coat and a lot of eye liner for a disco-fied version of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” the motto of the night which was a tribute to just a few of the ladies—Madonna, Debbie Harry, Donna Summer and Whitney Houston–who have kept us dancing over the years.
“Damn right I’m a diva,” the host told the crowd. “Men can be divas. It’s equal opportunity.”
With attitude though, came compassion for something bigger than the music. Demi Lovato started off the show by letting those suffering in Connecticut know everyone’s thoughts and prayers were with them.
Kelly Clarkson was the first lady to take the stage with her big voice, singing a big dance anthem and wearing a big ol’ engagement ring on her hand.
Before the show, she showed off the yellow canary diamond via Twitter for all her fans to see.
Everyone has been asking about my engagement ring, so here it is :) It's a yellow canary diamond with diamonds around … say.ly/tDQ4MVN
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Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) December 16, 2012The newly engaged singer performed her latest single, “Catch My Breath” from her Greatest Hits album wearing a slinky velvet number complete with see through lace panels.
Ciara taught us all how to 1,2 step, but tonight showed off her moonwalk. The R&B singer performed her latest song “Got Me Good” by wearing her own sparkly white glove and bringing her own wind machine. The King of Pop would be proud.
In honor of Donna Summer, Kelly Rowland did a laser light show rendition of “Bad Girls” with a few very naughty male backup dancers who for some reason were on leashes. R&B singer Keri Hilson sang “Hard For The Money” in a barely there silver halter that made us worry there would be a wardrobe malfunction. And Adam came out for “Hot Stuff” in a hot pink fur jacket before changing into a sparkly snakeskin cropped coat to join Keri and Kelly for “Last Dance.”
For her first time on the Divas stage, Demi did her song “Give Your Heart a Break.” Dressed in a gold chain link mini dress and a spiked leather jacket, the singer got the crowd jumping along to her dancetastic single.
Miley Cyrus showed a different side of herself with a leather-filled rendition of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell.” Dressed in a crop jacket adorned in spikes, zippers and chains, Miley, rockin’ an even shorter do, started the song out by crowd surfing through the crowd before getting on stage to grab her crotch. The very adult version also featured dancers locked in cages and wearing outfits that could be worn in a stage version of Fifty Shades of Grey.
The night also introduced music fans to a few newer divas like Metric, who’s lead singer Emily Haines did her best Debbie Harry impression for Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” and sang one of their own songs, “Breathing Underwater” from their fifth album, Synthetica.
Aussie rapper, Iggy Azalea joined Natasha Bedingfield for Deee-Lite’s “Groove Is In The Heart” with help from the song’s original bass player Bootsy Collins.
English soul singer Paloma Faith also hit the stage for “Picking Up The Pieces” from her album Fall To Grace. Though her voice drew comparisons to Amy Winehouse, it was most likely her hair, a blond and red bouffant, that got people talking.
Adam honored Madonna with a rendition of “Ray of Light,” which featured some interpretive dancing and a homage to the kimono the Material Girl wore in the video.
Pitbull closed the show with his song “Don’t Stop The Party,” which featured some ladies who definitely knew how to get a party started.
The highlight of the night though was the tribute to Whitney Houston featuring Jordin Sparks, Melanie Fiona and Ledisi.
Sparks, who appeared with Whitney in this summer’s Sparkle, represented all the ladies with “I’m Every Woman” before Melanie did a mash up of “I Want To Dance With Somebody” and “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay” from her 1998 album, My Love Is Your Love.
It was Ledisi though who during “How Will I Know” made dancing in 6-inch stilettos look easy.
What was your favorite performance of the night?
- Shannon Carlin, CBS Local
Photos by Christopher Polk/Getty Images
