How did The Diana Effect originate?

I remember specifically it was on a flight coming back from Europe. I watched the movie “Spencer” with Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana. I asked myself when it was over, “why do all the Diana stories have her portrayed in such a negative light” Always dark. Depressing. Diana did have a profound impact on the world. For me personally, her embrace of the person dying from AIDS was huge. She immediately became an icon to me.

Pivoting a bit. For years I had always asked myself, “why hasn’t somebody produced a musical about Jackie O?” Why has she not had a story like Evita? I had a song title already created “Rocket to the Moon”. Get it?….JFK was connected to placing a man on the moon. I thought it would be fun story connection for Jackie.

So I began to ponder….what if Jackie and Diana had story together. I began to research the similarities in their lives. The parallels are immense. I then started looking at the other First Ladies and it just kept going from there. I spent many hours researching the details of each subsequent First Lady after Jackie. The reference of the First Ladies as Ladies in Waiting was something that I could not let go. And who wouldn’t want to see all the many Diana dresses!

I wanted to showcase Diana in a positive light. To highlight some of the good things she has done. I didn’t want another retelling of the ‘Charles and Diana’ drama. Together with the First Ladies, The Diana Effect approaches her story in a different way.

And that is how The Diana Effect came to life.