Diana Ross: the Supreme who took over the world

The Primettes

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

When she was young, Ross was interested in fashion design and wanted to pursue a career in that area. However, she started singing with some neighborhood friends as a teenager, which took her on a different path. She formed a group called the Primettes with Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Barbara Martin.

The Supremes

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

They caught the eye of a Motown Records executive and were officially signed by founder Berry Gordy in 1961. Barbara Martin dropped out of the group, making them a trio, and they changed their name to the Supremes.

Growing success

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

They released their first single in 1962, ‘When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes,’ which got to number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their profile grew, and they even collaborated with Sammy Davis Jr. on a TV special.

Hit after hit

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

Over the next few years, the Supremes would release 12 number one hits and become one of the most popular Motown groups around. Their first number one song was ‘Where Did Our Love Go?’

Trouble in paradise

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

Despite the band’s meteoric success, life wasn’t easy for Ross. There was tension in the band, particularly with Florence Ballard, who sang lead vocals on many of their songs. Ballard was struggling with alcohol dependency and was unhappy with the grueling work schedule.

Stress and disordered eating

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

This was a difficult time that Ross described in her 1993 memoir ‘Secrets of a Sparrow.’ She revealed that she suffered from anorexia during this period, which she attributed to the pressure she was put under by Motown Records and Berry Gordy.

Ross steps up

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 1967, the issues in the band finally came to a head. Florence Ballard left the Supremes and was replaced by Cindy Birdsong. Without Ballard’s influence, Ross became the definitive lead vocalist of the group. This made her even more of a star than she already was.

'Tarzan'

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 1968, Ross and the other Supremes had their first taste of acting when they guest starred as three nuns on the TV series ‘Tarzan.’

Going solo

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The band members each went their separate ways, and Ross embarked on what would be a phenomenally successful solo career. She released her first album, entitled ‘Diana Ross,’ in 1970, and it was a smash hit. Her version of ‘Ain't No Mountain High Enough’ is still a favorite to this day.

Ross' first child

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

Seven months later, Ross gave birth to her first child, a daughter called Rhonda. It was later revealed that Berry Gordy was actually Rhonda’s biological father, although she was raised by Silberstein as one of his own. Ross waited to tell Rhonda about her father until she was 13 years old.

Growing family

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

Over the next few years, Ross grew her family with Robert Ellis Silberstein. She gave birth to her daughter Tracee, now a famous actress, in 1972, and their youngest daughter Chudney in 1975.

A fashion icon

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

Style and celebrity image were huge during the disco era, and Ross’ flare for fashion furthered her status as a true icon. She never disappointed on the red carpet or the stage, always appearing in elaborate, glamorous ensembles.

'The Wiz' (1978)

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 1978, Ross starred as Dorothy in Universal’s iconic reimagining of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ entitled ‘The Wiz.’ She appeared alongside Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.

A Super Bowl first

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 1982, Ross was invited to sing the national anthem at the opening of that year’s Super Bowl. This might not sound like a big deal, but she was the first pop star ever to be given the honor. Nowadays, the biggest names in the industry sing it every year.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 1988, Ross was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. However, she was being recognized for her work as the lead singer of the Supremes, not for her solo career.

Hard times

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

Sadly, Ross hit a rough patch a few years later. She was struggling with substance abuse issues, got divorced from Naess Jr., and ran afoul of the law twice within a couple of years. On one occasion, she had an altercation with a security guard at an airport, and on the other, she was charged with a DUI while she was supposed to be receiving treatment at a rehabilitation center.

The Grammy

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2012, after more than 50 years of hit-making, Ross nabbed her first Grammy. The then-68-year-old was given the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Presidential Medal of Freedom

The Primettes, The Supremes, Growing success, Hit after hit, Trouble in paradise, Stress and disordered eating, Ross steps up, 'Tarzan', Going solo, Ross' first child, Growing family, A fashion icon, 'The Wiz' (1978), A Super Bowl first, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hard times, The Grammy, Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2016, Ross was recognized for her contribution to the arts with a presidential honor from Barack Obama. He gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor a civilian can receive.

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