In the past few months I've found myself becoming more and more addicted to checking the daily music charts. I can tell you at any time who's on top of the pop radio charts ("Don't Trust Me" at the moment, in case you're wondering), the Billboard Hot 100, or the Billboard 200 Albums. In the midst of tracking all of this, however, I've become saddened to see that most blogs list some crappy people as "divas", when really a lot of them stand as flavor-of-the-months rather than genuinely talented pop icons. I mean seriously, do we really need to consider Katy Perry anything close to diva or "Pop Princess"? Just because she can wear an apple-themed dress, sport a Betty Boop hairstyle, and "sing" about kissing a chick doesn't make her a diva. That makes her a tween icon.

So in that case, allow me to list who I think has earned the title of diva:

(in no particular order)

1. Madonna - She's outspoken, she's blonde, she's fit, she's freaky, and she's totally not a virgin. "Madge" (as douchebag blogger Perez Hilton likes to call her...) has proven to be one of the most successful female artists of all time. She's sold more than 200 million albums worldwide, and continues to produce chart-topping albums. Unlike with a lot of artists, Madonna is better known for her live performances than her radio singles, and creates a true experience for concert-goers. She may not be the most talented gal on the block as far as the vocal range goes, but she's feisty and original enough to absolutely amaze you when showtime rolls around.
2. Cher - ... and the gay community cheers and giggles as they see this entry. Yes, Cher is perhaps one of the most iconic figures of the past few decades, and rightfully so. She manages ab****y but likeable personality that meshes with pretty much everyone out there. Yet you wouldn't know that based on her lovestruck performances of hits like "Turn Back Time", "Believe", and her memorable duet with Sonny Bono, "I Got You Babe". And really, do I even need to mention the outrageous outfits? 'Nuff said.
3. Celine Dion - Ok, so she writes virtually none of her music, is often viewed as a bit too innocent, and hasn't had a real hit for a few years. But who cares? She's Celine freakin' Dion! Have you heard her sing? Her swagger on-stage and booming voice is enough to qualify her as a true "diva". Not to mention she shares Madonna's success in album sales, also selling upwards of 200 million albums worldwide.
4. Tina Turner - Yet another female artist selling 200 million worldwide, Tina stands out as another artist that can produce a uniquely energizing performance based on her stage presence. If you've never seen this diva perform, then you're truly missing out. And at age seventy, she's still going at it, closing up her career with another successful tour.
5. Mariah Carey - I won't lie, I'm not much of a Mariah fan, but I can still appreciate the fact that she is (or at least was) one of the best singers of her generation. Mariah also stands out as one of the few artist that has perservered even after being deemed "irrelevant". Her 2008 album E=MC2 broke records, and her latest single "Obsessed" is just now taking off. And, yet again, she boasts a whopping 200 million albums sold worldwide, in an even shorter timespan than some of her companion divas. Only one request though, Mariah, please turn down the auto-tune and get back to actually impressing us with your vocals!
6. Reba McEntire - The "Queen of Country" easily shines as one of the most likable, down-to-earth, friendly country girls on my list of divas. Much of her success lies in her everyday American appeal, which has made her a diva in other industries outside of music. Like Mariah, she also stands out as one of the few divas that has maintained her level of success, still producing chart-toppers to this day. This red-headed diva also manages to put on quite a show, which I was privileged to witness last fall.
7. Britney Spears - Love her, hate her, say what you want about her, but all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek a-.... oh, whoops, wrong line. What I meant to say, is that despite what you may think of the Britster, she's a modern icon and pop diva that has paved the way for many of today's contemporary artists. In a sense, she's the Madonna of our generation. This 90's sex icon, while also being prone to controversial tabloid stories, is the epitome of "pop star".
8. Alanis Morissette - Seven Grammy Awards and forty million copies worth in album sales later, Alanis Morissette remains the down-to-earth, brutally honest woman she's always claimed to be. Alanis is the star that managed to beat the odds. She doesn't have the flowing blonde hair of Britney Spears or Madonna, or the enormous boobs of Mariah Carey, or even the enormous vocal range of some of her counterparts, but her soulful but fierce voice and blunt lyrics make her more of a diva than she may think she is. And, if you were around at all during the nineties, then this name should be very familiar to you, as "Jagged Little Pill" stands as one of the most successful pop albums of all time.
9. Dolly Parton - Dollywood, anyone? Ah, Dolly, the plastic figure that everyone can't help but adore. She's also had more country #1's than any other country artist in history, and remains an iconic figure to this day. One can't help but wonder how a battle between her and Mrs. McEntire would play out?
10. Kelly Clarkson - Did you really think I could make it through this list and not include my beloved Kelly? But, I can honestly justify why she belongs on this list. To date, she remains the most successful (and consistently successful) alumni of American Idol. Perhaps what makes her most successful, is the proof that an American Idol can come out of the show on top. She ushered in a new generation of musicians, and supported the concept of having a fanbase before ever putting out an album. Take a look at your pop charts today, and I guarantee more than a handful of the artists on the chart will have come from American Idol. Kelly is, undoubtedly, the "Queen of Idol". Not to mention she's had more than her fair share of success, selling 20 million albums, churning nine top ten hits (and one top twenty hit), and earning two Grammy awards.

The "Almost but not quite" List:

• Christina Aguilera - You try so hard, and yet you never seem to quite make it. Unfortunately, Christina, you'll always be labeled as the "wannabe Britney".
• Lady GaGa - Whether you like her or not, the girl has guts, and generates some serious fashion statements with those guts. But she also has some noteworthy pipes, and dance moves that put Britney to shame. Perhaps someday she'll work her way into the list.
• P!nk - I think you'd be hardpressed to find a more successful or bad*** pop musician than P!nk. She's a serious rock star, and she's got some even more serious rock moves.
• Whitney Houston - You've got quite the voice, and for awhile, we all liked you! And then, Bobby.... tsk tsk.
• Beyonce - Just because you have a song calling yourself a diva, doesn't make you a diva. Tone down the ego a bit, then we'll talk.
• Sheryl Crow - Though I think you're pretty amazing, I can't see the title of "diva" really fitting you.... it's just not your st yle.