Diana Ross—now a legend whose name echoes through music history—has long been celebrated as a superstar, and her journey began in the heart of Detroit. Growing up there, Diana Ross showed an early passion for style and performance, studying modeling and fashion design during high school. By the time she was just 15, Diana Ross had already taken a bold step into the music world by joining a group called the Primettes, essentially the female counterpart to a male vocal act known as the Primes.
As fate would have it, the Primes evolved into the iconic Temptations, and both groups were eventually signed by Berry Gordy to his newly launched Motown Records. While the Temptations found success fairly quickly, things didn’t go quite as smoothly at first for the Primettes—soon renamed the Supremes. In fact, Diana Ross and her bandmates endured seven straight singles that failed to make a splash. That all changed, though, with “When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes,” which gave them a modest hit—only for the next release to flop once again.
But Berry Gordy saw something special in Diana Ross. He wasn’t just invested in her career—he eventually developed personal feelings for her too. Believing in her star power, he made Diana Ross the permanent lead singer, gradually shifting the spotlight away from Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. This turning point paid off in a big way when the Supremes’ ninth single, “Where Did Our Love Go” in 1964, soared to Number One. From there, Diana Ross led the group on an incredible run that defined much of the decade, scoring eleven more chart-toppers and cementing their legacy.
With their polished image and sophisticated sound, Diana Ross and the Supremes became trailblazers—not only in pop music but also in subtly influencing the civil rights movement by winning over mainstream, middle-American audiences. Their music evolved too, embracing psychedelic influences on 1967’s “Reflections” and tackling tough social issues with songs like “Love Child” and “I’m Living in Shame,” which dealt with unwed motherhood and youth homelessness, respectively.
By 1967, the group’s identity shifted further—both musically and symbolically—when they were officially rebranded as “Diana Ross & the Supremes.” Around the same time, Florence Ballard was replaced by Cindy Birdsong, marking another transition in the group’s lineup. Success continued into 1969, culminating with “Someday We’ll Be Together,” another classic. Ironically, that final hit featured backing vocals from session singers rather than the other two members of the group.
Gordy had big plans: he intended to launch both Diana Ross and the remaining Supremes as separate acts. At first, the post-Ross Supremes actually outperformed her solo debut—“Up the Ladder to the Roof” charted higher than Diana Ross’s “Reach Out & Touch Somebody’s Hand.” But momentum quickly swung in Diana Ross’s favor. Her next single, a lush, ballad-style remake of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” shot to Number One, while the Supremes’ hits began to fade.
From there, Diana Ross expanded beyond music, stepping into acting with powerful performances. She made her film debut in 1972’s Lady Sings the Blues, portraying jazz icon Billie Holiday—a role that earned her critical acclaim. She followed it up with another dramatic turn in 1975’s Mahogany. Then came The Wiz in 1978, a high-profile project co-starring Michael Jackson. Despite huge expectations, the film bombed, losing $10 million and dealing a blow to Motown’s cinematic ambitions.
Still, Diana Ross kept moving forward. Though she took on occasional acting roles afterward, she focused primarily on her music career. Over the years, she delivered several standout singles: the sultry 1976 disco anthem “Love Hangover,” the empowering 1980 track “I’m Coming Out”—which resonated deeply with her LGBTQ+ fans—her emotional duet with Lionel Richie on 1981’s “Endless Love,” and the heartfelt 1984 tribute “Missing You,” written in memory of Marvin Gaye.
In 2000, there was talk of a Supremes reunion, but behind-the-scenes tensions derailed any true comeback. The tour ended up featuring Diana Ross alongside two women who had joined the group after she’d left—making it more of a symbolic reunion than a full restoration. Still, Diana Ross remained a commanding presence on stage. Throughout the 2010s, she toured successfully, connecting with fans across generations, and in 2018, she launched a glamorous Las Vegas residency—just another milestone in the extraordinary journey of Diana Ross.
When it comes to Diana Ross’s career highlights, one standout moment definitely comes from her performance in Lady Sings the Blues (1972), which remains Diana Ross’s highest-rated film to date. Critics and audiences alike praised Diana Ross for her powerful portrayal of jazz legend Billie Holiday, marking a major milestone in Diana Ross’s transition from music to acting. On the other hand, while still notable, Mahogany (1975) tends to receive more mixed or lower reviews compared to her earlier work—making it Diana Ross’s lowest-rated movie so far. Still, both films played an important role in shaping Diana Ross’s legacy in Hollywood, showing Diana Ross’s dedication to storytelling through cinema. Whether it’s the emotional depth in Lady Sings the Blues or the fashion-forward vision in Mahogany, Diana Ross undoubtedly left her mark.