Diana Ross (b.1944,) born Diane Earle, is an American pop- and soul-singer and actress. Originally the lead singer of the Supremes, she became a successful solo artist. She was nominated for an Academy Award as best actress for her lead role in Lady Sings the Blues (1972.)
Born in Detroit, Ross grew up in a poor housing project. Together with Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson, she formed the Primettes, which became the Supremes. Their classic Tamla Motown hits ‘Baby Love’ (1964) and ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ (1965) were characteristic of their style. The group, which was by then her backing band, went their own way in 1970, and Ross began a solo career as both singer and actress.
Ross played the role of Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues (1972; Oscar) and later acted in Mahogany (1975) and The Wiz (1978.) Diana (1980) and Eaten Alive (1985) are among her more successful solo albums, the latter yielding her last U.K. number one, ‘Chain Reaction.’
Ross published an autobiography, Secrets of the Sparrow (1993.) Her television work includes the drama Out of Darkness (1994.) Although her chart success had faded in the 1990s, Ross remained a popular concert draw into the early 21st century, propelled by her enduring status as one of the preeminent musical performers of her time. A hit duet with the Irish pop vocal group Westlife in 2005 proved she was still bankable. She revisited Billie Holiday with Blue (2006,) a jazzier version of the soundtrack to the 1972 film.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Diana Ross
Instead of looking at the past, I put myself ahead twenty years and try to look at what I need to do now in order to get there then.
—Diana Ross
Topics: Goals
With the Supremes I made so much money so fast all I wanted to do was buy clothes and pretty things. Now I’m comfortable with money and it’s comfortable with me.
—Diana Ross
Topics: Safety
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