The Original Supreme and Diva she made an impact on girl groups. Diana Ross

She has expanded a career of nearly six decades, she has changed and inspired many people on the planet with her uplifting music.  Well let’s just put it this way before…..Fifth Harmony, before the Spice Girls,  before TLC,  Destiny’s Child,  Xscape, 

Once upon a time there was a group titled, “The Supremes” originally called “The Primettes” and formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1959. These women are legendary she formed the group with the late, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. Originally a quartet one girl left the group due to having a baby and the group became a trio. They were discovered by Barry Gordy after doing hand claps, background vocals for the artists featured at the Hitsville studio which is the birthplace of Motown Records.

The biggest girl groups of the 90s and 2000s TLC

Destiny's Child 

Fifth Harmony

Xscape they are back and on tour now

Anyone notice this movie was loosely based on a pop diva's life? I am sure you all know Dreamgirls (2006) loosely based on Diana Ross, The Supremes, and their journey with Motown 

Something in my spirit told me you have to write this story and blog about it because something about hearing that Diana Ross the legendary star, living legend, singer, songwriter, performer, and was one third of the original girl groups, The Supremes would be the recipient of the 2017 American Music Awards it touched my heart right away cause I remember someone once calling me and jokingly saying I was acting like “Diana Ross” one time when I was younger in high school at Academy of Sacred Heart. I think I was joking around dancing and singing one day with my choir but now looking back I will never take that as a critique I take it as a compliment. I remember when I was about six years old this is back in 1992.

 I was attending my school Holy Name Catholic School in Washington, D.C. and I was to be performing in a talent show. I was always into little recitals and talent shows, and I remember seeing three girls on stage and they were getting ready to hit the stage doing rehearsals. They were singing the Supreme hit,  “Stop in the name of Love”. They are actually one of the most sampled girl groups as well. I just realized if you listen to the song “If” by Janet Jackson there’s a sample from “Someday we’ll be together” by the Supremes in the beginning.

They call her the original diva, star, they call her “Ms Ross the Boss” but it’s quite an incredible title this woman has accomplished and broke so many records. You have to look at her as a whole person and woman. She’s been through so much as a child, teenager, and she’s strong as hell. She’s incredible if it wasn’t for her and these women I don’t think there would have been any girl groups today.  Her impact definitely changed the way pop culture, music, entertainment would change the way we view women, women in the music industry, and would change how girl groups and solo artist are viewed today in the 21^st century.

Diana Ross originally born Diane Ernestine Earle Ross on March 26, 1944 was born in Detroit, Michigan she was the second eldest of her family along with . She had a lot of luck and fate with her childhood. Diana when she used to be a neighbor of hit maker, lead singer of the Miracles, Smokey Robinson. I think that’s pretty amazing because he ended up writing some of Diana’s biggest hits and of course a dear lifelong friend too.  She formed her group in 1959 with the Supremes and for about 10 years the Supremes dominated the airwaves and television performing on a variety of television shows from 1959-1970s.  The Supremes truly have left a mark for women they were the original girl group and changed the game entirely.

No matter who you are you know who this woman is and her impact on music, film, and television history. Diana’s music is definitely timeless. I was looking at a clip when she was on Oprah Winfrey’s final season in 2011. They showed a clip of Diana performing at the Oscars with Lionel Richie in 1982 singing “Endless Love” and it was just incredible that 35 years later this song is today still being played at weddings and it’s still a classic. “I am coming out” an anthem for so many different social communities in society is one that people can often recognize. Her classic music and songs. Diana continues to evolve with each generation her style, her fashion, her music, she reinvents herself time and time again. One thing I know is her music has impacted many generations in my family from the 1960s-Present everyone can probably personally remember a song that they love and can remember. Or a movie I remember when I was 12 I auditioned for the Wiz an off broadway version as a kid I didn’t get it though. I remember studying the movie, learning the words “Home” which is a song so many girls audition to even to this day. Her voice definitely gave

Anyone ever heard of the classic (1978) film "The Wiz"

The original members, Diana, Florence, and Mary Wilson

The Supremes Mary Wilson, Diana, and Cindy Songbird (replaced Florence Ballard)

One of my favorites love this movie the costumes and her theme song, "Do you know where your going to?"

`1980s Diana and her 3 oldest children: Rhonda, Tracee, and Chutney

The gangs all here Diana and her family now with her children and grandchildren and their spouses

Love this photo is classic Diana her children and the hitmaker and founder of Motown , Barry Gordy 

me chills this was during a time when I was taking vocal lessons too. I started singing about 7 but I never really started taking it seriously until I was in my teen years but now I realize that was when my love for music began. Watching movies like “The Wiz”, “Lady Sings the Blues”: The Billie Holiday Story, “Double Platinum” with her and Brandy Norwood, or “Mahogany” these are films that gave every young actress a chance to see herself in that character. One thing I really love about her was when she was working hard to be in the business, she designed clothing, she was designing costumes for her group, and herself. Much like her character Tracy in the film Mahogany. I loved how relentless she was she has a drive and work ethic that is pretty incredible and unstoppable.

Ms Ross has impacted so many generations of people including her own family you see her impact in her five children: Rhonda, Tracee, Chutney, Ross, and Evan, and her grandchildren. Her story will continue to be shared for many generations to come who are inspired by this chameleon this powerful woman who is a force and is not be stopped at all.

I remember my mother telling me the story how she was in Central Park in 1982 when everyone was out there and Diana was singing “Reach out and touch” to the crowd with her long dark brown wavy hair blowing in the wind in a fierce red mesh jumpsuit, and high heels pouring her heart out. That takes dedication to be in a massive storm and she survived. I am sure God was carrying her the whole way through. I hope that with her relentless determination and persistence. Diana will continue to be a major influence in the entertainment industry, impacting a new generation of fierce unstoppable divas who want to have their voices heard and to make their mark. Congratulations cannot wait to see her achievement. All of your fans and those you have influenced are in awe and we all salute you.

For more information on Diana Ross her music, her films, and everything happening visit http://www.facebook.com/dianaross  and visit http://www.spotify.com/dianaross