Music legend Diana Ross opens up ahead of her hotly-anticipated UK tour about family, fashion, and why performing live is her ‘life force’
When it comes to dramatic entrances, there is no doubt Diana Ross reigns Supreme.
Sweeping down the navy-blue carpet in an extraordinary, floor-grazing white gown, the legendary star lit up the Met Gala last month.
With a feather-boa trimmed cape and hat – not to mention several assistants carrying the train up the stairs – she marked her first appearance at the fashion event for 20 years with a bang.
And the Grammy-winning legend aims to make a similar splash when she takes to the stage of her UK tour next week.
In a rare, exclusive interview, Diana says how fashion – and numerous dazzling costume changes – will be at the heart of the new dates.
Not least, she says, because us Brits have such a keen sense of style.
“I’m really looking forward to coming to the UK…I love the country and the British people have elegance,” she explains.
Diana is determined to build on the last series of shows here, which included the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert and her unforgettable turn on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, in 2022, as well as the Royal Albert Hall the following year.
“I’m bringing my live band and I’ve added an orchestra and a choir that will really make these shows special…it’s almost two hours of memories, dancing, and dazzling costume changes,” she says.
All of her gowns for these shows have been custom-made, with Diana personally designing each one and working with a seamstress to bring them to life.
“Fashion and music are both forms of self-expression—it’s really a part of who I am and how I connect. On this tour, I want every gown and every song to reflect a spirit of being fun and elegant,” she says.
“Music and fashion go hand and hand – dressing up feels wonderful, and I want to inspire everyone coming to the shows – to do the same.”
As well as fashion, family means everything to Diana too, who has five kids, and eight grandchildren.
“My family is really my greatest joy and blessing. [Eldest daughter] Rhonda travels with me on tour and will be at the shows. My five children really take care of their mum,” she says.
Diana had Rhonda, 53, with Motown legend Berry Gordy in 1971. The same year, she married her first husband, music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, and they had two more daughters: Tracee, 52, and Chudney, 49.
Diana split from Silberstein in 1977 and went on to marry Norwegian mountaineer Arne Naess Jr. in 1986. The former couple had sons Ross, 37, and Evan, 36.
Diana says she was determined to pay homage to all her kids by sewing all their names into her Met Gala gown.
“Fashion, like music, tells a story,” she explains “ The Met Gala was a special moment for me. My son Evan and a young designer Ugo Mozie and I collaborated on the gown and cloak that I wore. We wanted something meaningful. The 18-foot train stretches across generations with the names of my adult children and grandchildren beautifully embroidered on it. It’s beaded and has crystals— the details celebrate my family, and our love.”
Born in Detroit’s Brewster-Douglass Housing Project – America’s first federally funded housing for African Americans – Diana was one of six children and grew up singing at family parties and in a Baptist church gospel choir.
Her life changed forever when she met Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson and in early 1959, the three girls along with Betty McGlown, started The Primettes’, an all-girl singing group.
“My love for singing became my life and my passion…those moments really gave me hope. It was the beginning of this beautiful, incredibly blessed journey,” she says.
The trio auditioned for the fledgling Motown label and in January 1961, they were eventually signed as The Supremes.
By 1965 they had racked up five consecutive number one hits with songs such as Baby Love and Stop! In the Name of Love.
In 1967, the band’s name was changed to Diana Ross and the Supremes, before Diana went solo three years later.
With such a huge body of work, Diana is spoilt for choice when it comes to curating a special set-list.
“The audiences have requested songs that were big: I’m Still Waiting, Love Hangover and Chain Reaction. UK, here I come,” she says.
In preparation for the shows, Diana has a few strategies to stay performance-ready including steaming her throat, drinking hot tea with honey and breathing exercises.
And despite a career spanning six decades, Diana says she still gets as much of a thrill from performing live to audiences as ever.
In fact, she describes it as her “life force.”
“There is nothing more magical than performing. When I go out on stage, I feel alive. That’s pure magic to me,” she says.
“Performing on stage brings me a lot of joy. It’s fun for me as well as the audience. I can feel the exchange of energy with the audience as I perform. I love seeing the beautiful, happy faces from the stage. The audiences are such an important part of all my shows.”
It is with them in mind that she has enlisted three of the most prestigious UK orchestras for her shows.
She is performing five times with the Manchester based Hallé Orchestra, before being joined by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Glasgow and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra for London.
“I want everyone to feel like they’re part of something truly special. They are just as much a part of the shows as I am — each show is a night I hope they’ll never forget. Music. Memories. And Dazzle,” she says.
Diana Ross visits Birmingham, Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and London for her 2025 UK Tour. For tickets and info visit DianaRoss.com