Divine becomes a mainstream icon by transforming drag from underground spectacle to cultural phenomenon. His fearless persona, bold performances, and collaboration with director John Waters brought drag into public view. Divine’s work challenged societal norms and paved the way for modern drag culture.
Divine, born Harris Glenn Milstead, met John Waters as teenagers in Baltimore. Waters saw Divine as a muse and urged him to embrace provocative self-expression. Together, they created six cult films, including Pink Flamingos (1972) and Female Trouble (1974). These films shocked audiences with their raw, unapologetic content. Divine’s role as Dawn Davenport in Female Trouble is considered his finest, playing a morally corrupt and violent character with striking intensity. In Pink Flamingos, Divine shocked viewers by eating dog feces on camera, cementing his status as a figure who delighted in disgust and defied norms.
Divine revolutionized drag with his rejection of polished, feminine beauty standards. Unlike many female impersonators of his era who mimicked glamour, Divine embraced ugliness and body positivity. He proudly wore his size and bold style as a statement of defiance. This attitude allowed Divine to create “loud, trashy glamour” that still influences drag aesthetics today. His unapologetic stance—embodied in the slogan “Filth is my politics! Filth is my life!”—linked drag with radical political protest.
John Waters once described Divine as “the most beautiful woman in the world… almost,” highlighting Divine’s blend of ruggedness and allure. Divine’s drag was inherently political, communicating rage and rebellion, qualities that shaped underground drag scenes. His choice to use male pronouns even in drag was an unusual marker of his unique identity, reflecting a complex approach to gender presentation.
Divine’s impact extended beyond underground film. His look inspired Disney’s iconic sea witch Ursula in The Little Mermaid (1989). Animator Rob Minkoff revealed that Ursula’s flamboyant style and personality drew directly from Divine’s larger-than-life drag persona. The 2023 live-action adaptation, starring Melissa McCarthy, echoed Divine’s humor and signature makeup, continuing his influence in mainstream media.
The 1988 film Hairspray marked Divine’s breakthrough in mainstream cinema. Playing Edna Turnblad, Divine combined humor and empathy, earning praise for his performance just weeks before his death. The role’s casting tradition of men in drag continues, demonstrating Divine’s foundational role in broadening drag’s acceptance in popular culture.
Divine also cultivated a musical career. His 1982 dance singles, particularly “Native Love (Step by Step)” and “Shoot Your Shot,” charted well on US dance platforms. His 1984 song “You Think You’re a Man” became a UK Top-20 hit and was produced by the famed Stock Aitken Waterman trio. Divine’s sassy sprechgesang vocal style meshed perfectly with Hi-NRG dance music. His performances, notably on the UK’s Top of the Pops, sparked public outrage comparable to the Sex Pistols’ punk shock, underscoring his boundary-pushing persona. This visibility laid groundwork for drag artists like RuPaul, influencing drag music’s growth globally.
Divine’s influence persists decades after his death. John Waters noted Divine would likely be a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race today, dressed as a man, highlighting how Divine’s complex identity transcended simple categorization. The drag community widely acknowledges Divine’s legacy as embodying an attitude filled with rage and rebellious spirit.
Fashion has also embraced Divine’s aesthetic. In 2020, luxury brand Loewe partnered with Divine’s estate to launch an exhibition and collection celebrating his artistry. The brand’s homage signals Divine’s lasting appeal beyond queer subculture into mainstream fashion.
Divine’s reach touches many cultural fields—from film to music to fashion—continuing to challenge norms and inspire bold self-expression. His career reminds audiences that drag can be both art and protest, inviting communities to embrace individuality against the grain.
- Divine pioneered provocative drag that rejected traditional beauty, embracing body positivity and shock value.
- Collaboration with John Waters resulted in cult films that broke taboos and shaped underground queer cinema.
- Divine influenced mainstream characters like Disney’s Ursula, spreading drag aesthetics beyond niche audiences.
- His role in Hairspray brought drag to mainstream film with humor and heart shortly before his death.
- Divine’s Hi-NRG music popularized drag in dance culture, setting a template for future drag performers.
- Ongoing fashion tributes and drag influences highlight Divine’s permanent mark on culture.
