Top 60 Quotes & Sayings by Divine

Explore popular quotes and sayings by Divine.
Last updated on April 20, 2025.
Divine

Harris Glenn Milstead, better known by his stage name Divine, was an American actor, singer, and drag queen. Closely associated with independent filmmaker John Waters, Divine was a character actor, usually performing female roles in cinematic and theatrical productions, and adopted a female drag persona for his music career.

Things people told me would never happen are happening. I'm clawing my way to the top as a man, no less.
I always loved that tragic look, the bigger-than-life women. They always have those big glasses and scarfs on, and doctors and nurses always around them. You felt sorry for them, but they had their lips together, no matter what was happening to them. They always looked like movie stars.
I've lasted a lot longer than many thought I would. — © Divine
I've lasted a lot longer than many thought I would.
I was always fat and not very athletic. Finally in my junior year I went on a diet. I got down from 220 to 140. It was very funny, all of a sudden I was much more popular. I could get dates with pretty girls who had turned me down before. I was the same person! It was a learning thing for me, part of growing up. I realized it was all so artificial.
I love having my picture taken. I love doing interviews.
I always felt like a movie star.
As far as a man, Cary Grant is always suave and debonair and dashing. Sydney Greenstreet for a portly person, or Robert Morley. I think he always looked spiffy.
I'm known all over the world.
For me, the best thing about drag is getting out of it.
I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.
I've been working now for 24 years. That's a long time to be around for playing only one note, and I'm making a damn good living. And if some still think I'm a woman, that's OK, too.
I always wanted to be in show business or whatever you want to call this crazy world, to be an actor or a movie star or whatever.
I love to eat, it's my main thing, my biggest weakness. — © Divine
I love to eat, it's my main thing, my biggest weakness.
I'm finally living the way I always thought people in New York were supposed to live. I have a bright, sun-filled lovely apartment on the 24th floor with a view of the river and the city. Most of all, I'm happy.
Even though I travel considerably, I hardly get to see a thing when I am out on tour. It's always the same routine: I get into some town. They lead me to the hotel. I eat. I put on lipstick. Then I go to the club, talk real dirty, sing a few songs and go home. Not a bad way to make a living.
People don't even know the meaning of the word 'transvestite.'
My men's clothes are traditional. I don't buy trendy clothes. I buy updated classics double breasted, three-piece suits; slacks and either T-shirts or regular shirts. Everything is monogrammed. I used to hate that more than anything. Now there are D's on everything. It started out as a joke and now, if it doesn't have a D on it, I wonder why.
I am a man who happens to play women's parts. And I'm not a drag queen. I'd like to think that I'm several levels above that.
I'm very surprised at my success as a singing star because I can't sing a lick.
I am a character actor and one of my characters just happens to be a loud, vulgar woman.
I don't live in drag... I don't sit around in negligees and I don't wear little Adolfo suits to lunch. Of course, if I had a couple of Bob Mackie outfits, things might be different.
I have no bad habits, except overeating.
I can stand on stage and do nothing, and people will write, 'Divine was outrageous.'
I think the least of people's worries is a man In a dress.
I don't do Judy Garland or Mae West, and I'm not a female impersonator. I'm an actor.
Alfred Hitchcock was right when he said that actors are basically like cattle. Directors just look at us and yell 'Move!'
I never set out in the beginning of my career just to play female roles.
I collect a lot of beautiful tins from around the world, and I'll put things in them and give them as presents.
I never wanted to emulate anyone. Oh, I loved Elizabeth Taylor, Mae West, Lucille Ball. But I never tried to copy. I always wanted to be an original.
America is a hardheaded place. It's tough to be different here.
I always wanted to play male parts.
When you're a young actor, you take what comes your way.
I love making people laugh. I just happened to do it dressed as a woman.
I've been turned down for a lot of TV because they didn't think there was a place for Divine on television.
I really do like 'Rambo' movies and Sylvester Stallone. And Charles Bronson, I think, is probably my favorite.
I'm a nice guy, I really am.
I should have been singing since I was 10 years old.
I've always had very macho taste in movies. — © Divine
I've always had very macho taste in movies.
For all those people who always thought I was nothing more than a drag queen, wait until they see what I agreed to look like in 'Hairspray.'
I think of myself as a living cartoon.
Designers do a lot of clothes I would like to wear but I can't. If it had to be made up in my size It would look ridiculous. You can't always wear what's in style. You have to realize what looks good on you.
I'm honestly very shy and quiet and to myself. Not that too much shocks me anymore.
I hate that when they call me a transvestite.
As far as comfort and convenience, men have it all over the girls. A man can wear the same suit every day of the week with different shirts and ties, but a woman needs an extensive wardrobe. I can understand how women on the go wear pantsuits and slacks.
I think a lot of people don't really understand. They call me a fat drag queen, which I resent, because I'm a character actor and a very good one.
I mean, there are a lot of big people out there that they're still very beautiful people.
I love to make Christmas cookies, chocolate chips, peanut butter cookies, pecan pies, coconut macaroons, fruitcakes.
I think of myself as an actor or a personality, the personality of Divine, an entertainer. — © Divine
I think of myself as an actor or a personality, the personality of Divine, an entertainer.
I have to work. I have a certain way of life I want to maintain.
It comes to a point where a lot of people don't know if I'm a man or a woman. I find it quite a compliment.
I was very introverted.
I'd love to do a perlod piece. Maybe 'Caesar and Cleopatra.' I could do both roles- at one-and-a-half salaries.
I've always said in interviews that I am a man I've never claimed to be anything but. Other than for performances, the women's clothing is in a box.
I don't see what's shocking about a man in a dress.
The press criticism made me feel at times like I was someone who had landed from outer space and, to my parents, being in show business was the worst thing you could be. Especially because I did drag, they didn't think much of it.
I was typecast for a long time. A lot of people thought all Divine could do was play a loud, beefy blonde.
It's not easy being a woman. Especially when you're a part-time one. You never really get used to it.
I just didn't feel like a Glen. Not that I'm 'divine.' But it's just become a name like Tom, Dick or Harry. There's no special meaning to it.
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
I was shocked that someone I didn’t even know would take the time to pray for me.
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