The Messy Past of Diana Ross
Diana Ross is one of the most iconic singers of all time, but her life and career have not been without controversy. From her turbulent relationships to her legal troubles, the Motown legend has faced many challenges and scandals over the years. Here are some of the most shocking and messy moments from Diana Ross’s past.
- The Supremes drama: Diana Ross rose to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes, a girl group that dominated the charts in the 1960s. However, her success came at a cost, as she was accused of being a diva and pushing out her fellow members. She reportedly clashed with Florence Ballard, who was fired from the group in 1967 and replaced by Cindy Birdsong. Ross also had a rivalry with Mary Wilson, who wrote a tell-all book about their conflicts in 1986. Ross eventually left The Supremes in 1970 to pursue a solo career, but the bad blood between them lingered for decades.
- The Berry Gordy affair: One of the reasons why Ross was favored by Motown Records was her romantic relationship with its founder, Berry Gordy. The two began dating in 1965, when Ross was 21 and Gordy was 36. Their affair was kept secret for years, as Gordy was married and had children with other women. Ross also had a son with Gordy, named Ross Arne Naess, who was born in 1987. Their relationship ended in 1970, but they remained friends and collaborators.
- The Marvin Gaye duets: In 1973, Ross teamed up with Marvin Gaye to record a duet album, titled Diana & Marvin. The album was a hit, spawning classics like “You’re a Special Part of Me” and “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)”. However, behind the scenes, the two singers had a tense and awkward relationship. Gaye was reportedly attracted to Ross, but she rejected his advances. He also resented her for being more successful and influential than him. They barely recorded together in the studio, preferring to do their vocals separately. They also never performed live together, despite the popularity of their songs.
- The Bob Ellis affair: In 1976, Ross married music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, who had been managing her career since 1971. They had two daughters together, Tracee Ellis Ross and Chudney Ross. However, their marriage was not happy, as Ross had an affair with actor Ryan O’Neal in 1977. She also fell in love with another actor, Bob Ellis, who co-starred with her in the film Mahogany. Ellis was married to actress Joan Collins at the time, and their affair caused a scandal in Hollywood. Ross divorced Silberstein in 1977 and moved in with Ellis.
The drunk driving arrest: In 2002, Ross was arrested for driving under the influence in Tucson, Arizona. She had been pulled over for driving erratically and failing to stop at a red light. She failed a breathalyzer test and was taken into custody. She later pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to two days in jail and a year of probation. She also had to undergo substance abuse treatment and pay a fine.
