Tracee Ellis Ross Reflects On How Her Mother, Diana Ross, Fearlessness In Music Impacted Her Career
Like mother, like daughter.
Over the years, many have viewed the close dynamic between Tracee Ellis Ross and her mother, Diana Ross, through the pair's occasional social media posts about one another and their red-carpet appearances.
Although Tracee would go on to make a name for herself in the entertainment industry as an actress, entrepreneur, and host "I America" podcast, the 50-year-old disclosed that the biggest inspiration behind her successful career, stemmed from watching her mother, a well-renowned singer and actress, be resilient through challenging situations and continuously spreading love.
Tracee On Her Mother And the Struggles She Could Have Faced Being an Entertainer in the 1960s
During a recent interview on Larry Wilmore's "Black on the Air" podcast, Tracee revealed on mark 56:25 that she often asked her mother what prompted the 79-year-old to dress and style her hair a certain way, especially during the time she grew up in.
Diana was a lead vocalist in the singing group The Supremes in the 1960s and would ultimately go solo in 1970. During her solo career, Diana's fashion choices and big natural hair would often make headlines because, at the time, it didn't fit the social standards of beauty.
"As a person and as a singular talent, and you think of the time period when she came forward, sometimes I ask her questions, she doesn't even have an answer, like 'what makes you think you can wear your hair like that?'" Tracee said while acknowledging that her mother's choices possibly helped redefine the beauty standards. "Do you know what I mean? Like if you just think of some of the small decisions and you think of the years."
Further in the conversation, Tracee mentioned that her respect for her mother deepened when an individual posted a black-and-white image of Diana performing with The Supremes. The reason for the appreciation was that the black-ish star saw the women performing in front of an all-white crowd. This made Tracee think about the possible things they could have gone through, mainly racism, during that moment and how her mother remained a loving person despite the hardships.
"One time [on] Instagram, someone posted a picture of my mom and The Supremes performing. I've seen the picture before. I had never looked in the audience. It was an all-white audience, and all I kept thinking was it was a black-and-white picture. They didn't come in from the front door... I was thinking [about] all these things and what she had to be resilient through, resistant to, and what was in the environment when she was coming up. What that makes somebody, that my mom is so anchored in love that she's just a loving person," she stated.
Tracee On How Diana's Unconditional Love for Herself and Others Inspired Her Own Career
Also, in the interview, Tracee talked about how motivational it is to see her mother spread love to others through her performances while staying true to herself and her craft.
"I think the biggest thing for me is my mom has also been this woman who has used this platform of the stage to spread love but also not to say look at me, but this is me. Which is very different than a lot of what I see now," Tracee shared.
Tracee continued by adding that growing up with that type of foundation helped shape her career decades later because she saw firsthand, through Diana's determination and honoring herself, the positive effects it can have on one's life.
The Girlfriends star said, "That sense of agency and sense of self, selfhood has made its way into my life, my career, and the fact my mom is such a great businesswoman. It is quite a legacy."
Tracee's "I Am America" podcast can now be viewed or listened to on any streaming platform suitable for podcasts.
Feature image by Kevin Mazur/VF19/WireImage
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The Art Of Fingering: 9 Tips That Are Essential To Perfecting Your Technique
I love getting fingered. Yeah, I said it. I love that shit! There’s this common misconception that fingering is an activity that only teenagers engage in, but I'm here to set the record straight that there are fully grown adults who still like a finger or two in their pussies, too! Fingers are the sex toys we’re born with; why not use them?
How To Finger A Woman: Pleasure Tips For Vulva Owners
Even though every vulva is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all method when it comes to fingering, there is no doubt that fingering can be an extremely important part of sex and foreplay from the standpoint of female pleasure and orgasm. Roughly 80% of women and people with a vulva can't climax just through penetration alone but also require clitoral stimulation. If you know anything about the female anatomy, then you already know that "the clitoris is Queen" when it comes to pleasurable sex for women, and rightfully so.
There are around 8,000 nerve endings in the clitoris, more than in a penis, and it is much larger than you think. In most cases, people are only familiar with the head of the clitoris at the top of the vulva. However, the clitoris extends up to five inches inside the body and runs along the sides of the vulva. The clitoris can be stimulated both externally by gently touching or from within by finding the G-spot within the vagina.
The clitoris and the G-spot are among the most well-known pleasure centers for vulva owners.
Therefore, fingering skills are crucial and can drastically improve your sex technique if you have sex with women or anyone with a vulva.
Ultimately, the best way to learn how to finger your partner is to ask them directly what they like, but it doesn't hurt to learn some standard rules of thumb (pun intended). So, I asked my friends on social media for their best fingering techniques, and like always, they didn’t disappoint.
The Best Fingering Techniques: How To Finger Your Girl for an Orgasm
@boobtionary: Cut them nails baby and make sure you wash your hands before and after. Don’t need any unwanted bacteria or cuts in the cat.
@yesmxeden: Hydrated cuticles and no hangnails. Whether you go to the salon or DIY, nail care is key!
@lexijenee: Whatever movement you do, needs to start with gentle fingers on the clitoris to create moisture and then move down to fingering. Don’t stick your fingers in a dry place.
@lyndonyardl: Two fingers and do the “come hither” movement towards yourself.
@shoshanasarah: There’s no one size fits all. It’s like playing an instrument. You’ve got to search for the right notes, [and] listen for the music (her sounds and physical reactions). When there’s a melody— stay there, play with tempo, until crescendo.
@illviv: Slowly ease your way from the inner thighs to the labia. Still keeping that touch soft and gentle, make it feel like the elements themselves are slowly strolling her skin. Tease the opening with a flat smooth caress. Watch the juices drip. And when you hear her whimper [and] she is trying too hard to keep her breathing steady, slowly enter two fingers into her well. Dive all the way in, [and] pause for a few seconds. Then slowly pull them out. Continue this and make [the] body melt.
@atmusgrove: The middle finger in with the thumb massaging the clit at the same time hither motion.
@crystaltheoracle: While sucking their nipples. In public. From the back. Massage the whole vulva too. Three fingers on the clit. Make sure you've washed your hands. Put your fingers in their mouth afterward.
@breannakey_: [Finger the vagina] while eating it!
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Featured image by Dean Mitchell/Getty Images
