Jann Arden speaks with legendary rock icon Carole Pope and documentary director Michelle Mama about the impact of Pope's music and the new documentary Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions. They discuss Pope's groundbreaking role in the music industry, her artistic expression, and the community she built through her work. They also touch on the evolution of music, the consequences of being open about one's identity and sexuality, and the inspiration behind Pope's songwriting.
Carole Pope reflects on the impact of her fame and aging in the music industry with fond memories with iconic figures like Jane Fonda, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, and more. As an influential queer artist, Carole emphasizes the importance of authenticity and perseverance in the face of adversity and the legacy she hopes to leave behind for future artists.
Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions
Directed by Canadian filmmaker Michelle Mama and produced by Allison Grace and Bill Taylor, Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions premiered on opening night of the 2026 Hot Docs Festival on Thursday, April 23. Described by the filmmakers as a love letter to the power of defiance, the film spotlights queer rock icon Carole Pope as she reclaims her rightful place in music history—not as a footnote, but as a godmother of punk glam, queer pride, and radical authenticity.
Commissioned by documentary Channel, Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions, which will be distributed in Canada by Motion 58, received funding in 2023 from the Hot Docs-Slaight Family Fund to support the project in its development stage.
In Toronto’s vibrant music, art and fashion scene of the 1970s and 1980s, Carole Pope made her mark with the new wave band Rough Trade, which produced bold, boundary-breaking music delivered with a sexy punk edge. “High School Confidential,” the band’s breakthrough hit, did something not many had done before: it featured an openly queer performer fearlessly expressing lesbian desire on daytime radio. Now in her 70s, Pope continues to channel her creativity into new forms. Her latest project is a musical that draws on her life and career with Rough Trade, as well as the story of her beloved late brother Howard, himself a celebrated musician and AIDS activist. Featuring interviews with celebrity friends like Peaches, k.d. Lang, Jann Arden, Rufus Wainwright and Jeanne Beker, Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions is a long overdue cinematic tribute to a fierce and talented queer maverick.
You’ll be able to watch it on CBC Gem starting July 24, 2026 and The Documentary Channel on July 19, 2026.
https://www.carolepope.com/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33549474/
https://www.instagram.com/carole_pope/
https://www.instagram.com/meemama/
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction to Carole Pope and Antidiva
(02:48) The Impact of Rough Trade and Community Building
(06:00) The Evolution of Music and Artistic Expression
(09:04) Consequences of Openness in the Music Industry
(12:07) Performing in the Present Day
(14:56) Inspiration and Legacy
(17:59) Behind the Scenes of Antidiva
(19:47) The Power of Female Sexuality
(21:03) Aging in the Music Industry
(24:00) The Impact of Fame and Recognition
(26:23) Memorable Encounters with Icons
(30:31) The Canadian Identity and Artistic Legacy
(32:46) Advice for Aspiring Queer Artists
(35:33) Carol Pope's Impact on Jann
(38:39) Aging and Timelessness in Music
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