Why Tracee Ellis Ross Still Deserves More As An Actress
In an alternate universe – much fairer than the one we currently occupy – where Hollywood is a place that allows talent to actually flourish, Tracee Ellis Ross would be the biggest star in the world right now.
My mind struggles to think of anyone else that is as effortlessly funny, endlessly vibrant, and impossibly beautiful right now in Hollywood other than Ross. Of course, being the daughter of legendary Diana Ross certainly lends itself to her charisma. But it's the way she bursts out into a song. Her cackle that fills an entire room. Her smile that only rivals the sun with how bright it is.
If this was the '60s, Ross would give Hollywood comedic darling Carol Burnett a run for her money with the sheer breadth of her talent as an actress. I’m imagining Ross as the host of her own variety show where she’s singing, performing in sketches, and wearing an endless array of gowns.
I was too young during the initial run of Girlfriends. The Ross I fell in love with was not Ross as Joan Clayton – the high-strung yet sophisticated attorney – but instead, it was Ross the YouTuber. This was years after Girlfriends had been canceled and during the time when her acting career had briefly stalled, but proving she’s always ahead of the curve, Ross started making her own videos sharing hair care tips, beauty secrets, and moments with her rapping alter ego, T Murda.
Tracee was an influencer before being an influencer was a thing.
In 2014, the hit ABC comedy black-ish introduced Ross to a wider (whiter) audience as she played Rainbow “Bow” Johnson, the doctor and the matriarch of the Johnson family. It was this performance that would garner her the most awards praise and it was this performance that would bring her the most recognition from critics, talk show hosts, and magazines. Was it her best role? Debatable. Still, only Ross could elevate the overdone role of a woman whose primary function on a show is to support her husband and children into something bearable and even amusing.
Now, with the ending of the series, I’m giddy at the prospect of what Ross’ career will look like moving forward. In a recent interview with The Cut where she’s in conversation with the one and only Megan Thee Stallion, Ross speaks about owning her narrative saying, “By not letting other people’s ideas of me change my idea of myself. It means holding my own counsel and navigating my life on my compass, which is about my relationship with higher power, my relationship with those I trust and love. And then in terms of my career, it’s about saying what I want it to be.”
Already, the actress has the titular role in Jodie, the spin-off of the hit ‘90s cartoon Daria, lined up. I want to say the entertainment world is now Ross’ oyster, but knowing what Hollywood is has left me cynical. In my wildest dreams, I envision a career for Ross where she gets to be as effervescent on screen as she is off. Where she gets to play the love interest in a romantic comedy where her character is a fully realized person without a partner and romantic love just becomes a cherry on top.
I want her to play the eccentric but loveable character à la Maude from Harold and Maude. She could perform a one-woman show off-Broadway! She could play a good witch! She could play a wicked witch!
Tracee can and should be allowed to have it all. Give Tracee Ellis Ross the world, you cowards!
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Featured image by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage
