The 1998 Vh1 Divas Live poster

With the 2012 Vh1 Divas: Diva Dance Party show set to air on December 16th, this is the perfect time for us to reflect on the show that started it all. That’s right, journeying all the way to 1990s, this week’s Way Back Wednesday is all about the iconic 1998 Vh1 Divas Live concert!

Big hair, big vocals and big personalities made the first Vh1 Divas show an event that rocketed Vh1 to a completely different level of popularity. Yet, beyond the glitz and the glamour, what truly made this spectacle so exciting was the fact that it was mostly unrehearsed and the women, who were all true divas in every sense of the word, had fun.

Aretha Franklin (Soul), Mariah Carey (R&B), Celine Dion (Adult Contemporary/Pop), Gloria Estefan (Latin and Dance), Shania Twain (Country)and special guest Carole King were already icons in their respective fields when they filmed Vh1 Divas. So, if you’re too young to remember or simply want to relive the magic, watch the full show below:

The Vh1 Divas franchise was once so massively popular because their performers were all among the top artists in the industry. Now, however, the producers of the show seem to choose acts at random or settle for whoever they can afford. Honestly, in what way is Iggy Azalea a diva when she has yet to score a yet or even release an album? I suggest that Vh1 cancels the show or get back to its roots.

Who was the best 1998 Vh1 Divas performer? Vote in our Way Back Wednesday poll and share your opinion!