Divas Unite

VH1 knows a thing or two about divas, and Mariah Carey, Donna Summer and Faith Hill taped VH1 Divas 2000: A Tribute to Diana Ross that aired in April.

VH1's Rebecca Rankin provided a preview for Early Show Co-Anchor Jane Clayson.

"She's had four decades of a career," Rankin observes of Ross, who will tour this summer with some alumnae of her famed Supremes trio.

"What makes a diva?" Rankin had asked people.

"The idea is this person - somebody who knows what she wants, and she looks fabulous getting it," Rankin explains.

For one thing, Rankin reports, "(Ross) changed like a typical diva...came in in one outfit, and there she is in another," says Rankin. One garment is a shaggy purple affair.

The four even chimed in together with the lyrics:

    "I know I know you must follow the sun,
Wherever it leads
    But remember if you should fall short
Remember life holds for you one guarantee:
    You'll always have me."

Rankin had a chance to ask Summer and Hill what they liked about Ross.

"I don't think there's anyone ever that has been as fashionable and as courageous and...just as passionate about what she does on every level," Summer said.

For her part, Hill declared, "I'm definitely in awe of her presence and all - I mean, her contribution to music and to women of music."

In many ways these women grew up listening to her.

"You'd ask them why they chose the songs they did," Rankin says. "Why did Faith Hill take 'Love Child'?"

For VH1, Hill sang out the words: "Love child take a look at me.
Started my life in an old cold rundown tenement slum."

Summer discussed listening to music, to "Reflections" and performing it and feeling like she was going to cry, Rankin says.

And Summer gave her rendition of the lyrics:

    "Reflections of the way life used to be.
Reflections of the love you took from me.
    I'm all alone now no one to shield me."

The VH1 special also involved collaborations. One in particular paired Ross and Carey as the two belted out:

    "Think it over.
Stop in the name of love before you break my heart.
    Yeah, stop in the name of love before you break my heart.
Think it over."

Carey even made fun of herself with the lines, "I'm just learning, I'm just learning."

Ross had met Carey in an airport and the two bonded almost immediately, and held hands the whole time back, Rankin notes.

"Diana's formed these friendships with these women over the years," Rankin observes. "And, you know, she gives off this sense of warmth and being an idol; there's something to live up t there."

Rankin gives the low-down on the upcoming tour: "There have been eight Supremes over the course of the history." This event involves Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence. "They are latter-day Supremes and joined in the early '70s. So, yeah, it's not the typical Supreme lineup with Mary Wilson."