An Interview with a DIVA
on November 9th, 2011at 8:25 pm
Posted In: Chemistry of a Diva
Shaster is a DIVA. Yes that is meant to be in all caps because that’s how much of a diva she is, caps just do her more justice, a few exclamation points would do her even better. When our editor and chief Boo asked me to interview her on what it’s like to be a Diva, I was ecstatic. I need to learn a thing or two about how to up my game as a woman and Shaster is as inspirational as they come.
To understand a diva we may need a definition. According to Shaster a diva is an inner quality of strength, beauty, perseverance, life goals, a strong almost conceded independence and an acknowledgment of your power as a woman. “ A Diva is a lady, but we’re not ladies all the time. I can be a bitch, or dirty, we’re a multitude of ladies. It’s a grand thing!” In my mind I’m picturing a sexually active Elizabeth Benet from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice.
“A DIVA is born!” explains Shaster when I ask her how she became this fabulousness that is diva. When I asked when she realized she had an inner diva existed, she talked about her dad. “Your environment molds your diva, my environment was real. My father was a neighborhood hustler, he instilled that I was special from infancy. Everything we had expressed individuality, from our white low rider bikes to matching helmets, we were special.” Because of him I don’t allow men I don’t know to call me names like honey, baby, princess…. That’s a term of endearment you use for a mate, not just any woman off the street.”
When I first thought of diva, I thought of a strong woman with too much attitude, Shaster explains that’s not what it’s about at all. “You do what you have to, not what you want to do. I always follow through on commitments and yes, I can be a bitch but never in a malicious way. If I do something that hurts someone I care about, I will apologize because I care more about you than the fact that I’m right.”
Still confused I ask again if bitch and diva go hand and hand. She explains that the love you receive on your birthday and your deathbed says who you are as a person. “I just had the best birthday a diva could ever have! It was my day and it was everything I’ve always wanted and more, you know if my future husband walked in that would make it better, but everything was perfect. I’m still thanking the over 100 people on Facebook that acknowledged me for being me! It’s important because of all the struggles I’ve gone through, everything is as it should be at 50.”
Being a strong independent woman can be lonely and hard. “I don’t have the privilege of being able to say, f*ck it I’m done. I’ve always been strong for everyone; I’m not going to fall apart because I’m having a bad day, or even a bad couple of years! I’m constantly recreating myself, but I’m always a diva.”
In my experience it seems like strength and loneliness go hand and hand. As I’ve grown older, I’ve also grown harsher; men don’t exactly hop on the emotionally inept train. Shaster seems to be in the same boat, “I used to be on the prowl and you have there holidays and lonely days, I’m deciding at 50 that I’m done looking for a man; I’m looking at the bible. Proverb 18.22 says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” It’s time for my husband to find me; I did meet someone on Saturday, he’s great but I’m taking it slow. I honestly don’t want anything material but I do need something that’s spiritual, emotional and physical. I believe that when you know you know, but it would be really nice if God just shined a big spotlight on his head with a giant arrow, it’s him!” Being a strong independent woman can be threatening to men, “ If you seem like I can run you over, I will, it’s the diva in me.” Shaster is looking for her equal, someone that is stronger than her inner diva, to be a man of the house who allows her to be who she is; I think we can all agree that it’s difficult for everyone to find that perfect balance in a partnership, but being an independent woman, it’s even more so.
Shaster just launched a new divalicious blog, http://sistahfairydiva.blogspot.com/. “I talk about funny shit, serious shit, my thoughts, memories and expressions. More will be reveled as time goes on; I just want people to hear my story.” Shaster is truly an inspirational figure, a former drug addict and single mother who took the bull by the horns and got help. “I should be dead! But I’m not and I’m doing well; people who have been like me need to see what I’ve accomplished. If I’ve touched one person by what I do, then I’m touched. ”
Being an outstanding mother, Shaster also wants to leave a legacy for her children, this blog will help them understand her completely at the end of the journey. “I want my kids to look back and say, “Damn, my mom did that or she is that” this blog is for them.”” I think we can all appreciate that, my mother is one of my best friends and I would never regret knower her better.
Please check out Shaster’s blog! Her undying strength is truly inspirational and we can all learn a thing or two about being an ultimate diva.
To understand a diva we may need a definition. According to Shaster a diva is an inner quality of strength, beauty, perseverance, life goals, a strong almost conceded independence and an acknowledgment of your power as a woman. “ A Diva is a lady, but we’re not ladies all the time. I can be a bitch, or dirty, we’re a multitude of ladies. It’s a grand thing!” In my mind I’m picturing a sexually active Elizabeth Benet from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice.
“A DIVA is born!” explains Shaster when I ask her how she became this fabulousness that is diva. When I asked when she realized she had an inner diva existed, she talked about her dad. “Your environment molds your diva, my environment was real. My father was a neighborhood hustler, he instilled that I was special from infancy. Everything we had expressed individuality, from our white low rider bikes to matching helmets, we were special.” Because of him I don’t allow men I don’t know to call me names like honey, baby, princess…. That’s a term of endearment you use for a mate, not just any woman off the street.”
When I first thought of diva, I thought of a strong woman with too much attitude, Shaster explains that’s not what it’s about at all. “You do what you have to, not what you want to do. I always follow through on commitments and yes, I can be a bitch but never in a malicious way. If I do something that hurts someone I care about, I will apologize because I care more about you than the fact that I’m right.”
Still confused I ask again if bitch and diva go hand and hand. She explains that the love you receive on your birthday and your deathbed says who you are as a person. “I just had the best birthday a diva could ever have! It was my day and it was everything I’ve always wanted and more, you know if my future husband walked in that would make it better, but everything was perfect. I’m still thanking the over 100 people on Facebook that acknowledged me for being me! It’s important because of all the struggles I’ve gone through, everything is as it should be at 50.”
Being a strong independent woman can be lonely and hard. “I don’t have the privilege of being able to say, f*ck it I’m done. I’ve always been strong for everyone; I’m not going to fall apart because I’m having a bad day, or even a bad couple of years! I’m constantly recreating myself, but I’m always a diva.”
In my experience it seems like strength and loneliness go hand and hand. As I’ve grown older, I’ve also grown harsher; men don’t exactly hop on the emotionally inept train. Shaster seems to be in the same boat, “I used to be on the prowl and you have there holidays and lonely days, I’m deciding at 50 that I’m done looking for a man; I’m looking at the bible. Proverb 18.22 says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” It’s time for my husband to find me; I did meet someone on Saturday, he’s great but I’m taking it slow. I honestly don’t want anything material but I do need something that’s spiritual, emotional and physical. I believe that when you know you know, but it would be really nice if God just shined a big spotlight on his head with a giant arrow, it’s him!” Being a strong independent woman can be threatening to men, “ If you seem like I can run you over, I will, it’s the diva in me.” Shaster is looking for her equal, someone that is stronger than her inner diva, to be a man of the house who allows her to be who she is; I think we can all agree that it’s difficult for everyone to find that perfect balance in a partnership, but being an independent woman, it’s even more so.
Shaster just launched a new divalicious blog, http://sistahfairydiva.blogspot.com/. “I talk about funny shit, serious shit, my thoughts, memories and expressions. More will be reveled as time goes on; I just want people to hear my story.” Shaster is truly an inspirational figure, a former drug addict and single mother who took the bull by the horns and got help. “I should be dead! But I’m not and I’m doing well; people who have been like me need to see what I’ve accomplished. If I’ve touched one person by what I do, then I’m touched. ”
Being an outstanding mother, Shaster also wants to leave a legacy for her children, this blog will help them understand her completely at the end of the journey. “I want my kids to look back and say, “Damn, my mom did that or she is that” this blog is for them.”” I think we can all appreciate that, my mother is one of my best friends and I would never regret knower her better.
Please check out Shaster’s blog! Her undying strength is truly inspirational and we can all learn a thing or two about being an ultimate diva.
Shaster, you summed it all up as only a Diva like you can! I'm proud and honored to know you~
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