Lynda Carter is Wonderfully ‘Human and Divine’

Lynda Carter may be best known for winning our hearts as Wonder Woman—a character she infused with such depth and humor that it has become one of the most indelible characters in television history—but many do not know that she is an accomplished singer who has performed to rave reviews before sell-out crowds around the world.

Making her professional singing debut at age 14 in Scottsdale, Arizona, Carter traveled on the road with bands for a short time before becoming a Hollywood actress. However, her roots always remained with her music.

“Singing is my soul,” she says.

An engaging storyteller, she takes audiences on a journey where her life and story intertwine. Carter’s recent releases include the 2021 EP Unexpected and her latest single, the original pop ballad “Human and Divine.” Produced by Kyle Lehning, the track is nothing less than an epic with themes of love, strength, and inspiration in her life resonating throughout.  

Carter is currently recording new songs for release in the summer of 2022, and on July 1, we can expect a Dave Audé remix of “Human and Divine.”

“When Lynda Carter called me to remix ‘Human and Divine,’ I knew I had to do something that lived up to the larger-than-life persona we all know and love,” Audé says. “I was super excited to do something epic and at the same time keeping the spirit of the original.”

OFM caught up with Carter to dish about the song and portraying the iconic superhero. 

Can you begin by telling us more about the remix of your single “Human and Divine?”

This remix was done by Dave Audé. We approached him; he listened to the song, and he really liked it. So, this was a labor of love from my point of view. I love what he does, and I was a little nervous because it’s not exactly my wheelhouse or what people would necessarily expect from me. However, this song and ones that I’ve done subsequent to this, I think they are a step into another part of my personality that people just don’t know. It’s just another piece of it, and I think in many ways, Dave inspired me to go out on a limb more with the things that I can write and the things that I want to do. This whole dance mix, it makes you feel good and inspired. He stayed true to the song, and it has a lot of profound meanings. 

You originally released the track last year. For those who don’t know, can you talk about the inspiration behind the song and how it has become one of the most emotionally resonant songs of your career?

I would say this song started out as a quest with my writing. I was with my husband, and I believe we were on our way to England to shoot my cameo for Wonder Woman 1984. While I was writing, I looked over at him, and I thought, “How do I define this love? If I’m going to write about love, is it this? There are a lot of physical things, so how do you define it?”

So, I thought it should be a little more experimental; then I thought of Steve and Diana and how their love is very cinematic. So, the original version is more cinematic in its approach with a great deal of low-bass voices. You can’t really tell unless you’re listening on big speakers, but there’s a profound feeling to it. 

Ultimately, what do you hope listeners take away from “Human and Divine?”

That they are human and divine. That the human pieces of you and I are flawed, and we are going to inadvertently end up hurting the people we love just by being thoughtless or harsh, or someone else might hurt us. The forgiveness piece of love is really the greatest part of loving. That really takes love to a new place within our own bodies—not assigned to a deity or any person’s god, but within your own self.

While doing research for this interview, I read that you made your professional singing debut at age 14. Did your love for singing and songwriting come before acting?

Yes, it did. I actually started, like many of us do, making up shows and things and making my poor family sit there through the four acts of a play or musical (laughs). I sang in everything I possibly could. Like, “I’ll do it!” Then I joined a band at 14 and was singing in bands until I was 17. 

Obviously, the world knows you as the iconic superhero Wonder Woman. How has this role changed your life? 

It’s been the bulk of my life, so I almost don’t know much or have a lot of experience outside having the moniker of Wonder Woman. I was young when I first landed the role, and I spent those early years, like every other actor, studying, singing, doing commercials, and things like that, but I think it’s a responsibility.

I cannot expect people to understand who I am as an individual that I’ve come to appreciate. They know me as that, but I walk around as just myself, and I have to appreciate the fact that other people see me as an entity of another sort. Even if it’s casually, the same people I see at the store or something, there’s a responsibility there, and I can’t always be my goofy self.

Recently, you came out saying that she is indeed a queer icon. Why do you say that?

Well, duh! (Laughs.) Like, yes! She’s been a gay icon, a queer icon, a LGBTQ icon for a very long time, and it’s not something that was written about or created. It just is. It simply just is. This feeling of empowerment doesn’t belong to anyone but yourself.

Can we expect any more Wonder Woman films in the future? 

Everybody on the other side says that I’m in Wonder Woman 3, although I have not seen a script yet. When Patty Jenkins tells me that I’m in Wonder Woman 3, I’ll let you know. 

What more do you hope to accomplish with your career and platform?

Now, that’s a big question. I really hope to continue to inspire, and I hope that none of my foibles, none of my own humaneness, ever distracts from that because I am flawed. Just like everyone else, I’m imperfect, and I get cranky. I think when we assign perfection to anyone that we admire, we’re going down a slippery slope.

Stay up-to-date and connect with Carter by following her on Facebook @officiallyndacarter, and Twitter and Instagram @reallyndacarter. The Dave Audé remix of “Human and Divine” is now available on all digital streaming platforms.  

Photos Courtesy of DPG Worldwide and Lynda Carter