Perhaps one of the grandest diva moments in television history was organized by VH1 back in 1998 – when the very first ‘Vh1 Divas’ concert was put-together by the network.
Although, the show has aired successfully over the years, with a few gaps in-between – their line-up from the first concert was without any doubt – the most iconic of them all.
With names like Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Shania Twain and Carole King – the show featured some of the most prominent female artists of the 20’s century on one stage.
As the star-studded ceremony went from individual set-lists by each of the divas, presented by Hollywood A-listers like Jennifer Aniston, Teri Hetcher, Sarah Jessica Parker and Susan Sarandon – the show eventually concluded with a finale as epic as it could possibly get – when all of the iconic voices got together for an unprecedented moment on stage, to perform the Caroke King-penned, Aretha Franklin classic “Natural Woman.”
The great part about the collaboration was that, no one turned competitive or tried to out-sing one another. The divas sang line-by-line, showcasing their very individualistic vocals, and allowing everyone to have a place to shine – assisted by Miss Franklin’s band and her background singers and turning it into perhaps one of the best renditions of the 1967 classic.
Gloria’s impeccable phrasing and emotions, Shania’s smooth velvety tone, Celine’s jaw-dropping high notes, Mariah’s raspy yet melodious vocals and of coarse the Queen of Soul’s piercing showdown towards the end – the song went places, it probably never did before.
One of the most diva-licious moments in Vh1 history.
Watch the epic performance below: