DIVA nominees announced

Mitzi Macintosh, Cleopatra Coup?Chelsea Bun, Maxi Shield and Joyce Maynge are among the galaxy of star names leading the DIVA 2005 nominations announced this week.

This is the first time in the history of the DIVAs that nominees have been announced prior to the awards, due to be held on Monday 22 August at The Showroom at Star City.

The nominees for the coveted DIVA Variety Award are Chelsea Bun (Dancing With The Drag Stars), Cleopatra Coup?Trevor Ashley (Pop Princess 2), Joyce Maynge (Joyce In Space), Maxi Shield (Bobbi’s Pole Dancing) and Kath Waples and Portia Turbo (Drag Survivor).

Aime Delves, Ashley Swift, Brett Rosengreen, Michael Boyd, Minnie Cooper and Stacii Gayski are nominated as Choreographer of the Year, while Abbey Rhode, Chelsea Bun, LSD, Mama Shirl and Mitzi Macintosh are in the running for Costume Design of the Year.

The Show Of The Year Award is divided into two categories: 3 Or Less and 4 And Over. For 3 Or Less, the nominees are Bitchy & Scratchy, Disco Chicks, Gay School 2, Midler On The Roof and That’s Hot.

Arqeology, Bollywood, Midnight Courtesans, Queensland, Sideshow Of Sin and The Wizard Of Oz are nominated in the 4 And Over category.

This year’s DIVAs also mark the introduction of a new category for Outstanding Technical Contribution. The inaugural nominees include Andrew Worboys (video editing), Paul Marin (lighting design), Ian Gordon (sound editing), Mama Shirl (costume manufacture) and Mitzi Macintosh (sound editing).

Among the eight nominees for the Outstanding DIVA Moment are From A Distance from Midler On The Roof, I’m Alive from Viva Las Vegas and Think from The Wizard Of Oz.

Todd McKenney has been forced to withdraw from hosting DIVA 2005 due to throat surgery, so Courtney Act has stepped in to join Mitzi Macintosh and Cleopatra Coup?o complete the hosting trio.