Gays love divas. There's something about a powerful woman who's not afraid to buck the odds and go after what she wants (and look fabulous while doing it) that has always inspired us.
Many Broadway musicals focus on powerful female characters and were created as vehicles for powerhouse female stars. When the shows were translated to film, the stage stars were often replaced by movie stars (sorry Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, and Carol Channing), but their diva-licious qualities remain intact.
Here are 10 of the best diva moments in movie musicals, starring women beloved by audiences both gay and straight.
10. Burlesque - "Welcome to Burlesque" (2010)
The film was supposed to launch the movie career of Christina Aguilera, who hits all of her numbers out of the park. But it's the 64-year-old Cher who once again proved why she's a gay icon to be reckoned with.
9. Victor Victoria - "Le Jazz Hot" (1982)
Julie Andrews was the reigning queen of squeaky-clean movie musicals of the 1960s with Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. But she lets her diva flag fly as a starving songstress posing as a drag queen in this delicious gender-bending sex farce.
8. Mame - "Bosom Buddies" (1974)
Lucille Ball was sadly miscast in this film (which still stings for those who love I Love Lucy and the wonderful stage show Mame). But this witty duet with Bea Arthur (of Maude and Golden Girls fame) still hits home for gay fans - and just may capture the relationship you have with your gay BFF.
7. Evita - "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" [Remix] (1996)
Madonna was born to play the ambitious, round-heeled first lady of Argentina Evita Peron. In fact she finally learned how to really sing for the role. Her big diva number is remixed in this version because, well, it's Madonna. And that's what we do.
6. Sweet Charity - "If They Could See Me Now" (1969)
Shirley MacLaine sparkles, and breaks your heart, as an unlucky-in-love taxi dancer in this musical adaptation of Federico Fellini's film The Nights of Cabiria. Finding herself in the penthouse of an Italian movie star (Ricardo Montalban), she delivers the movie's show-stopping number.
5. Dreamgirls - "One Night Only" (2006)
In the thinly veiled musical story of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Beyonce proves that she needs another starring movie role -- now.
4. Chicago - "Cell Block Tango" (2002)
Director/choreographer Rob Marshall channeled the great Bob Fosse and brought the movie musical back in this Oscar-winning film. Hell hath no fury like the merry murderesses in this number.
3. Summer Stock - "Get Happy" (1950)
Judy Garland was the most legendary gay icon of all time and the greatest performer of the 20th century. Not only does she prove it in this number, she makes it look so easy!
2. Funny Girl - "Don't Rain on My Parade" (1968)
Barbra Streisand became a superstar as ugly duckling vaudeville star Fanny Brice in the stage and film versions of Funny Girl. You need look no further than this number to see how the 25-year-old Streisand earned a Best Actress Oscar and became an international sensation.
1. Cabaret - Title Song (1972)
Liza Minnelli earned her gay icon status, and proved once and for all that she's much more than Judy Garland's daughter, in her Oscar-winning turn as cabaret singer Sally Bowles in Bob Fosse's masterpiece.
