Donna, the anti-diva

In an inconspicuous corner of the room where she does most of her singing, Donna Brown displays a small collection of performance photos. Compared to the reality of her, they seem otherworldly.

In France, at least one publication has referred to her as the anti-diva.

"Friends like the fact that I've stayed simple," she says, but her own feelings are mixed on the subject.

Brown is well aware that a bigger ego may have fostered a bigger career, partly because "They do like you to be a bit of a diva." But she could never bring herself to occupy delusions of grandeur. In fact, she admits to facing an inner struggle with the notion that she is even somehow special.

Earlier in her career in particular, "I would subconsciously downplay that I was an extraordinary person."

Now she understands the importance of it.

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