Tracee Ellis Ross is pulling again the curtain on the sharp disparities of early-2000s tv tradition.
A long time after taking middle stage on tv, the 53-year-old actress is opening up concerning the stark lack of mainstream business recognition she confronted throughout her star-making run on the hit sitcom “Girlfriends.”
Ross was an enormous a part of the present’s iconic eight-year run, after which she has appeared in different main tasks, together with “Black-ish.”
Showing on the newest episode of Trevor Noah’s “What Now?” podcast, Ross candidly mentioned how tv tradition was “very segregated” whereas “Girlfriends” was airing between 2000 and 2008.
Though the beloved sitcom has earned widespread recognition and traditional standing in hindsight, Ross highlighted that main tv establishments turned a blind eye to the present all through its eight-season tenure.
She recalled being fully shut out of main late-night tv platforms and prestigious business awards reveals.
“I keep in mind pondering, ‘What?’ Like, what else do you must get? I don’t know,” Ross mirrored, noting that through the present’s total eight-year run, she acquired “no speak reveals, no Tonight Present, no David Letterman, no Emmys.”
The snub turned much more obvious when Ross observed that critically acclaimed white-led reveals, reminiscent of “Monk,” which had smaller audiences, have been routinely prioritized for late-night visitor slots.
She concluded by noting that she didn’t know what else to boil it all the way down to besides discrimination. In her phrases:
“And I used to be like, ‘I don’t perceive. Is it viewership?’ And the one factor you possibly can boil it all the way down to, you’re like, ‘Is it simply racism?’ I’m undecided easy methods to — how do you categorize it? I don’t know what it’s.”
Mara Brock Would Like To See A ‘Girlfriends’ Film Concept Introduced To Life
Whereas conversations concerning the historic oversight of “Girlfriends” proceed, curiosity in reviving the long-lasting franchise stays exceptionally excessive.
Nevertheless, sequence creator Mara Brock Akil lately revealed that bringing the core solid again collectively for a return faces vital monetary challenges.
In early July, the 56-year-old bought candid about her efforts to carry a “Girlfriends” function movie to life. Whereas Akil and the unique core solid, together with Ross, Jill Marie Jones, Persia White, Golden Brooks, and Reggie Hayes, are wanting to reunite, securing the required backing has been difficult.
“I feel I’ve a narrative that I’d like to do in a movie, and I’ve been attempting to get it made,” she mentioned, per People Magazine.
Akil disclosed that she is actively in search of a $50 million funds to ship the cinematic continuation the sequence and its followers deserve. Nevertheless, if the funding fails to materialize, she nonetheless has confidence in her skill to create contemporary tales whereas remaining open to future prospects for the group.
Tracee Ellis Ross Beforehand Opened Up About Points With Her Physique Picture
Whereas efforts to carry the “Girlfriends” solid again collectively are but to materialize, Ross has continued to reach different Hollywood endeavors.
Nevertheless, regardless of her huge success, she has had some points along with her private picture prior to now, which she has been open about. In a 2022 dialogue, she mirrored candidly on studying to really feel comfy in her personal pores and skin after many years of self-doubt.
Wanting again at her youthful years, Ross admitted that feeling really comfy inside herself as soon as felt virtually out of attain.
“I truly really feel comfy in my pores and skin now. When you had advised me that was going to occur, I don’t know that I’d’ve believed you,” she mentioned, as reported by The Blast.
Tracee Ellis Ross Firmly Denied The Being pregnant Rumors
As Ross has grown in confidence, she has additionally discovered to navigate rumors about her private life.
In late June, she returned to “The Tonight Present Starring Jimmy Fallon,” the place she set the file straight about viral hypothesis that she was anticipating her first little one.
“I’m not pregnant. I’m not,” Ross clarified, per Entertainment Weekly. Discovering the humor within the rumors, the Golden Globe winner supplied a witty commentary, noting that she doesn’t know “the way you get the preggers.”
She additionally joked that the rumors solely took place as a result of the media was having a sluggish information day.
Tracee Ellis Ross’ Residence Was Damaged Into Final 12 months
Ross’ efforts to clear the air on the being pregnant rumors got here months after her L.A. residence was damaged into.
In accordance with The Blast, she fell sufferer to a pricey housebreaking after intruders focused her Southern California residence whereas she was away.
The incident occurred early within the morning on Sunday, August 31, 2025, when three masked suspects compelled entry into the property and fled with an estimated $100,000 value of luxurious jewellery and designer purses.
Luckily, she was out of city on the time and was not harmed. Whereas the surveillance cameras captured footage of the three suspects transferring by way of the residence, no arrests have been made.
