Diana Ross: Family First as She Prepares for UK Tour with Daughter Rhonda
Diana Ross Opens Up About Her Blended Family and Reveals Her Most Iconic Outfit Yet!
The Queen of Motown, Diana Ross, is ready to take center stage once again with her highly-anticipated UK tour. But before she kicks off her hotly-anticipated shows, the legendary singer has given a rare interview to The Scholarly Note.com, dishing about her blended family and revealing her most show-stopping outfit yet!
At 81 years young, Diana is still going strong, surrounded by her five kids and eight grandkids. And it's clear that family means everything to this iconic diva. "My family is my greatest joy and blessing," she gushes. "Rhonda travels with me on tour and will be at the shows, my five children really take care of their mum." Rhonda, her eldest daughter, is 53 years old and has been by Diana's side throughout her career.
But what's even more fascinating is that Diana's family tree is a bit unconventional. She shares Rhonda with Motown legend Berry Gordy, whom she met in 1971. Later that same year, she married music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, with whom she had two more daughters: Tracee, 52, and Chudney, 49. Then, she traded her husband for a Norwegian mountaineer, Arne Naess Jr., with whom she welcomed sons Ross, 37, and Evan, 36.
So, what's the secret to her blended family's success? "My children really take care of their mum," Diana reveals. And it seems they're just as proud of their mom as she is of them! In fact, Rhonda often joins Diana on tour, and all five of her kids will be in attendance at one of her upcoming shows.
Now, you might be wondering what kind of outfit would require the names of 13 family members to be embroidered onto it. Well, wonder no more! At the Met Gala earlier this year, Diana stunned in a floor-grazing white gown complete with a feather-boa-trimmed cape and hat – all of which were designed by her son Evan and a young designer named Ugo Mozie.
The gown itself was an 18-foot train of beaded and crystal-encrusted goodness that spelled out the names of Diana's adult children and grandchildren. "We wanted something meaningful," she explains. And, trust us, it was! The look was truly show-stopping – and we can't wait to see what kind of fashion magic Diana has in store for her UK tour.
Speaking of which, get ready for a visual feast like no other! Each of the custom-made gowns Diana will wear during her shows has been personally designed by her, with the help of a seamstress. "I wanted each gown to be unique and special," she reveals. And, from what we've seen so far, she's definitely achieved that.
Diana's UK tour kicks off on June 22 at Birmingham's BP Pulse Live, before traveling to Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, and London. The star will be bringing along her live band as well as an orchestra and a choir to all of her shows in a unique touch. Yes, you read that right – the Queen of Motown is going big or going home!
In preparation for her tour, Diana has been getting ready in every way possible. She's been steaming her throat, drinking hot tea with honey, and practicing plenty of breathing exercises to ensure she's performance-ready. And, judging by her Met Gala look, we think she's already got the whole "dressed to impress" thing down pat!
Born in Detroit's Brewster-Douglass Housing Project – America's first federally funded housing for African Americans – Diana's life changed forever when she met Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson in early 1959. The three girls formed The Primettes, an all-girl singing group that eventually became The Supremes.
By the time they were signed to Motown Records in January 1961, Diana had already started to make a name for herself as a solo artist. And, by 1965, she and her bandmates had racked up five consecutive number-one hits with popular tunes like Baby Love and Stop! In the Name of Love.
But it wasn't until she went solo in 1970 that Diana truly found her footing as a superstar. And, 50 years later, she's still going strong – with no signs of slowing down anytime soon!
So, get ready to be dazzled by Diana Ross's UK tour! It's going to be a show like no other – and we can't wait to see what kind of fashion magic this legendary diva has in store for us.
