cw/tw: Bill Cosby, misogyny, racism

I love Sherly Lee Ralph as a performer. She's one of the greatest voices of her generation and was a character I grew up with in a few of my favorite childhood shows and movies. Hearing her life story, starting from childhood leading up to her iconic career, was fascinating. She's undoubtedly a great storyteller and she put a lot of love and care into how she performed this audiobook. The majority of this was great, I loved it! But it was still filled with issues.

Her instance of shaming Black women specifically for taking roles she doesn't deem worthy was... I don't know what else to say because slut shaming and misogynistic. It was this whole mentality of "I didn't have to do that to be a success, therefore I'm better than you for never having done it" It was riddled with victim-blaming women who were coerced (often forced) into sex with directors, which she seems to think was a consensual choice? Which was strange as shortly after she discussed the importance of #MeToo.

I understand why she brought up her role in a movie with Bill Cosby as it was a defining moment in her career, but she only spoke kindly of him. She didn't mention his assault charges. It was basically 'He did nothing to me so I can speak kindly of him" Where was the accountability? Where was the slightest mention of what he did? If she didn't want to discuss it why even bring him up? It felt like her subtly giving him support. Given her victim blaming throughout this... I guess I'm not surprised.

She also gave a faux inspiration speech about how if you don't like your job you should just quit and do what you want to do because it worked out for her. This was after she talked about all of the one-in-a-million miraculous opportunities that came her way. Opportunities she still can't believe she ever had. It read as classist and I guess victim blaming too? As if people are willingly choosing to have jobs they don't want instead of there being systemic issues that prevent everyone from achieving their dreams. It's great that things worked out for her. She busted her ass off to get where she is today. She dealt with misogynoir her entire life. She dealt with rejection many many times. Building up enough of a career to be THE Sheryl Lee Ralph involved a level of work, dedication, practice, and talent no one but her can truly know. No one can ever say it was easy or that anything was handed to her. But thinking everyone else can just achieve that too? Unrealistic. It was a speech only a wealthy person could make.

She talked about a character she played that was a trans woman. Which I don't think is something to criticize as it was almost 20 years ago, times have changed, etc., etc. But she did say she would consider playing a trans character again. She said this as she talked about a few trans women of color that could take on a trans role too. It was just odd. I understand mentioning the role, but discussing doing that again? In 2023? Please don't.

Outside of these issues, I still enjoyed this. Cringiness happened, but so did laughter. I'm giving it 3 stars because I think that explains what this is. It's a good mix of impeccable storytelling and things I have negative feelings for.

A lot of insight into Sheryl Lee Ralph's career and mindset along the way. A great storytelling of an incredibly tenatious woman's life.

4.5 stars

I loved Sheryl Lee Ralph's energy, voice and inspiring notes throughout this book.
She shared such a thoughtful perspective as she told her story & how taking ownership and utilizing the term D.I.V.A pushes you and can stand for what you want or need was so interesting.

I've always loved them in Dream Girls & Abbott Elementary, and I am thrilled to have gotten the chance to listen to their story.

I didn’t know a lot about Sheryl Lee Ralph before this book but I can now say: is AMAZING & so is this book! I loved listening to her talk about her idols. It’s such a short book but it is so powerful. Definitely a must read (or listen)!

DIVA 2.0 by Sheryl Lee Ralph is an interesting mini autobiography that is read by the author. I was saddened to hear about her grandfather and laughed when she spoke in her Jamaican accent as it reminds me of my MIL. I also like that she says she wants to help people essentially love themselves and treat themselves better, as I'm all for that!

However, since she tells us the outcome of a story before telling it, I found my interest waning. The book feels like one gigantic pat on the back as the stories (with a bunch of black history and religion mixed in, which I don't care for) don't really explain her tips. Moreover, I did not appreciate her singing Bill Cosby's praises with the mentally of "he wasn't around me / he didn't do anything to me". I think it's despicable that, if she's going to acknowledge him at all, she chooses to ignore what he did to other women as though their experiences with him don't matter compared to how funny he was. To me, it seemed more important that she build up an artist because they're black instead of building up women as a whole, but, in contradiction, says women need to support each other.

Overall, I give Diva 2.0 2 stars because I did like some of the beginning.

Thank you to RB Media for providing me with an ALC.

I am not the biggest fan of audiobooks but I am a huge fan of Sheryl Lee Ralph and to see that she was narrating her own book made it a must-listen for me.

This memoir is a thorough and entertaining walk through Ralph's journey to present day including the joys and pains. It is so well put together that I did not want to stop listening. If you are already a fan, then you know that her voice is powerful, yet calming. It feels like you are listening to a dear friend or family member tell you parts of their lives that you have never heard.

Diva 2.0 is Ralph's story but it is also filled with motivation prompting you to move your own life forward. She covers the importance of mentorship, how imperative it is to follow your path and capture your own destiny without settling and celebrating sisterhood.

I found myself jotting down a few quotes to later reflect on.

It is impressive to hear about how she decided which parts to decline, when to say no and when things simply were not meant for her.

There are a few surprising stories as she discusses the creation of Dreamgirls but I will not ruin those for you. You will definitely be pleasantly surprised by some of the workshop cast! I wish I could see a recording of the original play.

I am so glad that I listened to this instead of reading it as she occasionally graces us with a few melodies as well as her infectious laugh and inflections throughout.

I would highly recommend this in either audio or print.

I am not a Diva in training or anywhere else. I have never seen Sheryl Lee Ralph perform live and don’t watch Abbott Elementary. While listening to this book, I realized that I have seen her in countless TV and movie parts over the years. I was immersed in the story and listened in one sitting. Sheryl Lee Ralph’s voice and words were transformative. It doesn’t matter if you know who Sheryl Lee Ralph is, she knows herself at a transcendent level and she has got quite a story to tell. Her wealth of experience and knowledge is surpassed only by her desire to share those lessons with others. Everyone should listen to this Diva Manual!
*Thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for this audiobook review copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook to review. Listening to Sheryl Lee Ralph read this did not feel like I was listening to a memoir. It truly felt like I was listening to someone have a conversation, telling me stories about their life. I absolutely loved learning more about SLR and her career in Hollywood. The audiobook is definitely the way to go for this one!

This highly acclaimed actress, Ms.Sheryl Lee Ralph, gives us a glimpse into a theater world in this memoir. Listening to her story, told in her own, beautiful voice, was incredible. I love theater and I am always drawn to theater stories.

Thank you NetGalley and Recorded Books for an access to this gem!

This book is the perfect combination of memoir and self-help. This book was empowering and everything felt even more important coming straight from Sheryl Lee Ralph. I loved listening to her tell her own story. This is definitely one I’ll be revisiting.

With a voice that’s needs to be heard, if you can listen to the audiobook. Loved it! Inspiring and so good!

I am absolutely in love with this book. The inspiration it gave me to be a diva is amazing. Listening to one of my idols talk to me about her idols was so surreal. I believe sometimes we forget that celebrities are regular people who go through so much in life. Listening to her talk about finding self-love in her skin was so helpful. I am a dark skin woman and related to the first chapter so much. Finding love in your skin and watching your idols fall in love with their skin too is amazing. This being an audiobook made this 100% a better experience. Sheryl Lee Ralph has such a sweet voice to listen to and made it feel even more special. It felt like listening to an aunt talk to me about her life and self-worth. I would recommend this to anyone who needs to know that they are a diva.

**Listened the audiobook**

Sheryl Lee Ralph is an absolute legend, and this books really demonstrates this! It's not really an autobiography, more of a selfhelp/anecdote book.

I really enjoyed listening to this, and it was great to have the author read it herself.

There were a few anecdotes that she tells that fell a bit flat for me, but mostly it was really interesting.

Absolutely thrillrEd to review this one! Audiobooks are sometimes a bit hard for me but couldn’t pass this one up! Love Sheryl and will share my full view upon completion