Between rehearsals for the American Music Awards, where she will be feted with the Lifetime Achievement award and perform, Diana Ross discussed her career, longevity and life off the stage.
To swipe a line from one of her most famous tunes, ain’t no mountain high enough for Diana Ross.
The pop diva is nearly six decades into a career and has zero intention of slowing down. She recently issued “Diamond Diana,” a greatest hits collection offering a brief glimpse of her most essential work, and she’s prepping a return to Las Vegas next year for a limited residency at Wynn Las Vegas following a sold-out engagement this fall.
Between rehearsals for her performance on Sunday’s telecast, we chatted with Ross over email about her career, longevity and her life off the stage.
I am trying to put my entire career into 10 minutes. The most exciting part for me is that I am being honored by my music peers — and my children, who mean the world to me, will be there. I also invited Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, who have been so key in the early days of my career. That my daughter Tracee [Ellis Ross] will be hosting the evening makes it truly a family affair. I am humbled by it all.
The love and joy of performing. The harmony of life. The love of family.
When I was just beginning in the industry, I would tell my dad that I felt nervous. He was so wonderful. He explained that the feeling of nerves is exactly like the feeling of excitement. So I know that whatever I’m feeling it was more excitement and joy of wanting to do my passion.
I’ve said it before and it is so real for me to be able to connect with my audience. To connect with their eyes and their memories and the joy of music.
There are so many. „Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” sounds like a prayer or an affirmation. Every time I perform it… I would say it’s as if the audience is waiting for it.
When it connects with a feeling — ”heart to heart.“
Motown was genius! It put all of this energy together and created music that traveled around the entire world. Berry Gordy had a vision, and so did I. We were surrounded by [so much] talent, and that combination of harmony and family became one. It was spectacular then, and it’s spectacular today.
Music does not have a color. Great music is great music.
Be a good example. Be the light. Be joyful. Do your passion. Have fun.
India Arie. The songs my daughter Rhonda writes.
It’s personal, joyful, fun, true and authentic.
It was an incredible experience. It let me know that there are wonderful loving people in our world. It was just an incredible reminder of that.
I sleep well. I read positive thinking books before bed so that good thoughts are in my head, in my mind. And I connect with my family and my grandkids.
I really don’t read a lot of fiction. I read gardening and cookbooks. I watch „black-ish.“ I try not to watch negative television, but I’m kind of stuck on Netflix.
I never really thought of being an actress. I had people who believed I could do anything I set my mind to — my mother said I was a jack-of-all-trades. Berry Gordy also saw something in me. He believed we could create magic — and we did. I love that film. I was very proud of it and I loved the people I worked with — Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, so many others.
To be continued… and continuing forward.
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Where: ABC
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Rating: TV-14-DLS (may be unsuitable for children younger than 14, with advisories for suggestive dialogue, coarse language and sexual content)
