Tracee Ellis Ross Recalls Mom Diana Playing Tennis with Michael Jackson and Cher

Tracee Ellis Ross has fond memories of her childhood and they just happen to include Michael Jackson and Cher!

Ross, 51, is the daughter of music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein and legendary singer Diana Ross. On this week’s episode of SiriusXM’s This Life of Mine with James Corden, Tracee recalled her upbringing. 

“There must have been recording artists coming in and out of your house all the time,” Corden, 45, said during their interview. “Because your dad was, I don’t know if people know this, but your father managed your mom and Chaka Khan.”

As they both named people her parents worked with, Ross remained adamant that her mother had done a great job of establishing a sense of normalcy as she and her siblings grew up — although sometimes when she’d answer the phone, it would be Marvin Gaye on the line.

“Cher was a big part of our life. There’s pictures, it’s very sweet, of my mom, my dad, Cher and Michael playing tennis,” the black-ish alum said. 

“Hang on. Hang on a minute. Hang on,” Corden interjected. 

Clearly surprised by her confession, he added, “I love that this started with, ‘There must have been recording artists coming,’ [and then goes to] ‘No. We weren’t that kind of household other than the times that Marvin Gaye would call and obviously, when my mom and dad would play doubles against Michael Jackson and Cher.’” 

Next, Corden asked Ross what her favorite or “most present” memory was involving Jackson.

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Ross said that when she was around 9 or 10 years old, his 1982 single “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” from his Thriller album was very popular. 

In the song, the late King of Pop repeats the phrase “Mama Say Mama Sa Mama Coosa.”

However, she thought he sang, “I’ve been saved by the sound of Michael’s song.” She was so sure of her version, that she would tell her classmates that they were singing it wrong. 

Finally, on an evening when her mother was home, Ross had her chance to find out. 

“So, one night, we were going to bed and my mom was like, ‘Does anyone wanna say goodnight to Michael before I hang up the phone?’ and I was like, ‘I do,’” the Girlfriends alum recalled. 

After reciting her version for the 13-time Grammy winner, she asked him if those words were correct. 

“He said, ‘No, but it should have been.’ That’s my favorite memory there,” Tracee said.