From Mariah Carey’s high notes to Cher’s dance-floor sparkle and Dolly Parton’s country Christmas charm, these legendary divas have given us plenty of reasons to make the season a little more fabulous.
FOCUS HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT | MUSIC & CULTURE
There are two kinds of people during the holidays. Those who quietly sip cocoa beside the fireplace and those who turn the living room into a full-scale Christmas concert, complete with dramatic lip-syncing, questionable choreography and at least one outfit change.
At Focus, we respect both. But we know which party we’re attending.
For generations, LGBTQ+ audiences have embraced the divas who bring a little extra drama, glamour and joy to the holidays. Whether they’re belting out a Christmas classic, serving sequins in a television special or turning heartbreak into a holiday anthem, these women understand something important. The holidays are better with a soundtrack.
So grab your glitter, pour something festive and get ready for a very gay Christmas with some of our favorite divas.
Mariah Carey Is Christmas
We don’t know exactly when Mariah Carey became the unofficial CEO of Christmas, but we’re fairly certain the paperwork was filed sometime around 1994.
That’s when she released “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” the holiday anthem that has outlived fashion trends, questionable relationships and approximately a million Christmas remixes.
Every November, Mariah seemingly emerges from a frozen vault to remind us that it’s time to defrost the decorations, the credit cards and our vocal cords.
And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Her holiday catalog offers something for everyone, from the joyful gospel energy of “Oh Santa!” to the romantic longing of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” But nothing compares to that opening piano melody that sends an entire room into spontaneous celebration.
Focus favorite: “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (1994)
Also on our playlist: “Oh Santa!” and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
The gay holiday moment: Mariah’s annual Christmas season takeover. Nobody commits to a holiday persona quite like Mimi.
Cher Brings Christmas to the Club
Leave it to Cher to remind us that Christmas doesn’t have to involve sitting around a tree pretending to enjoy fruitcake.
In 2023, the legendary entertainer released Christmas, her first holiday album, and gave us exactly what we didn’t know we needed. A Christmas dance party.
The album’s standout single, “DJ Play a Christmas Song,” trades sleigh bells for club beats and delivers a holiday anthem that feels more suited to a packed dance floor than a quiet evening by the fire.
It’s festive, unapologetically fun and unmistakably Cher.
Of course, the woman who gave us “Believe” was never going to settle for a predictable holiday record. With contributions from artists including Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Wonder and Darlene Love, Cher’s Christmas party has a guest list worth celebrating.
Focus favorite: “DJ Play a Christmas Song” (2023)
Also on our playlist: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with Darlene Love
The gay holiday moment: Cher proving that even Christmas music can have a disco beat. Age is just a number, but fabulous is forever.
Dolly Parton Is Our Christmas Angel
If Mariah owns the holiday charts and Cher owns the Christmas dance floor, Dolly Parton owns the living room.
Nobody makes Christmas feel quite as warm, welcoming and wonderfully over-the-top as Dolly.
Her 2020 album A Holly Dolly Christmas is filled with familiar favorites, original songs and duets that feel like invitations to pull up a chair and stay awhile.
Dolly’s appeal goes beyond the music. Her humor, generosity and larger-than-life personality have made her a beloved figure among generations of LGBTQ+ fans.
And let’s be clear. A woman who can turn rhinestones, big hair and country music into a global brand deserves a place in the holiday hall of fame.
Her duet with Michael Bublé on “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas” offers the kind of cheerful holiday comfort that makes you want to cancel your plans, put on pajamas and eat another cookie.
Focus favorite: “Christmas Is” (2020)
Also on our playlist: “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas” and “Hard Candy Christmas”
The gay holiday moment: Dolly reminding us that a little sparkle, kindness and good humor can make almost anything better.
And yes, “Hard Candy Christmas” counts. It isn’t technically a Christmas song, but we’re claiming it anyway.
The Divas Who Deserve an Honorable Mention
Three queens can headline the party, but the guest list wouldn’t be complete without a few more holiday icons.
Kylie Minogue
“Every Day’s Like Christmas” brings a little disco-pop magic to the season. Perfect for decorating the tree while pretending you’re filming a music video.
RuPaul
“Hey Sis, It’s Christmas” is campy, playful and made for anyone who believes holiday decorating requires a wig and a ring light.
Kelly Clarkson
“Underneath the Tree” delivers powerhouse vocals and the kind of Christmas energy that makes wrapping presents feel like an Olympic sport.
Ariana Grande
“Santa Tell Me” is for anyone who wants romance under the mistletoe but would appreciate a little emotional accountability first.
A Little Holiday Joy Goes a Long Way
The holidays can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s family gatherings and familiar traditions. For others, it’s chosen family, friends, drag shows and finding somewhere to celebrate where everyone feels welcome.
That’s part of what makes these divas special. Their music has become part of the soundtrack to our celebrations, giving us permission to be sentimental, dramatic, silly and completely ourselves.
Whether your holiday plans include a quiet night at home, a festive dinner with friends or a dance floor full of people who know every word to “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” there’s a song for the occasion.
And if anyone complains that you’ve played Mariah too many times, just tell them Cher is up next.
Merry Christmas, divas. Now somebody turn up the music.
