Hi-NRG legend Hazell Dean celebrates her friends this week—and what friends to have! Sharon Redd and Divine weren’t just icons of music and performance, they were personal inspirations and cherished companions.
Both would have turned 80 this week, and Hazell’s tribute reminds us that legacy lives loudest in love.
From Sharon’s powerhouse vocals to Divine’s trailblazing flamboyance, their influence still pulses through every beat and boundary broken. Whether you’re spinning “In the Name of Love” or revisiting Divine’s unforgettable screen moments, take a moment to honor their magic.
Sharon Redd passed away on May 1, 1992, and Divine left us on March 7, 1988—but their impact remains timeless.
Their light still burns bright in every dancefloor memory, every creative who dares to be different.
INYIM Did You Know?
Sharon Redd
- Was a backing vocalist for Bette Midler’s Harlettes before launching her solo career
- Her hit “Can You Handle It” became a post-disco anthem and remains a club classic
- She was born into a musical family—her father was a singer and her brother was a producer
Divine
- Starred in multiple John Waters films, including the cult classic Pink Flamingos
- Scored international Hi-NRG hits like “You Think You’re a Man” and “I’m So Beautiful”
- Was once dubbed “the most beautiful woman in the world…almost” by Waters himself
Hazell Dean, recently retired from music, continues to blaze trails as a torchbearer for the LGBTQ+ community. A true creative and fighter, she remains a fierce advocate for visibility, inclusion, and the power of pop to uplift and unite.
Be sure to Follow Hazel over at Facebook.
Which Sharon Redd track still gets you moving? Which Divine moment lives rent-free in your memory? And what does Hazell Dean’s legacy mean to you?
Drop your favorite lyric, memory, or dancefloor story below. Let’s celebrate these legends together—in the name of love.
