Entertaining is in Tracee Ellis Ross‘s DNA—her mom is music superstar Diana Ross. But instead of singing, the Emmy-nominated actress, 44, who was always the class clown, was driven by a desire to make people laugh. Now, she’s the star of ABC’s hit Wednesday night family comedy Black-ish, playing working mom, Rainbow.
Why do you think Black-ish has been so successful?
I think it’s connected to all the things happening in our country right now. The idea of family comedy is very important. I was sitting at dinner, and a woman came up to me and said, “I have a 12-year-old son. He won’t do anything with me. But we watch Black-ish, and it gives us an opportunity once a week to sit together and watch a show. We laugh, and it starts conversation between us.”
Does your mom watch the show?
My mom is such a supportive mom. When we came home from school, if you told her a grade, she was like, “But did you do your best? If you did your best and you’re happy with it, we’re good.” My mom is really big on laughing, and she loves watching the show because she laughs so hard.
Did you ever consider a career outside of show business?
I considered a lot of other things. I was very shy growing up. I thought I was going into fashion. I worked in the magazine business for quite some time. What I have realized as an adult is that I am more of a performer than I am an actress, and I do think that is from my mother, even though we are very different.
What do you like about your character, Rainbow?
She is a woman representing what so many women are doing out in the world, having careers and lives. I love that this character is not just a reflection of her husband, that she really has a full life, and that she’s not overwhelmed by her life, but instead excited by it.
How do you stay in such great shape?
I work out like a crazy lady, and I watch what I eat. I am 44 and what you are blessed with at 20 is not just a simple blessing at 44. It is something you have to fight for.
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