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The 9 best, funniest or most iconic moments from Diana Ross’ show at the Hollywood Bowl

BBG News

On a recent Friday evening, Diana Ross performed once more at the Hollywood Bowl, marking her fifth appearance there since 2013 and her second show in Los Angeles within the past year (after her performance at last August’s Fool in Love festival). Essentially, you don’t have to wait long to see this 81-year-old pop icon perform live. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth attending. Here are nine reasons I’m grateful I went on Friday:

Following her announcement, “I’m Coming Out,” Ross swiftly performed a lively medley of Motown hits that she and The Supremes achieved number one status with in the 1960s. I would have appreciated listening to complete versions of “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Baby Love,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” However, hearing these timeless classics played one after another at a rapid pace was exhilarating in itself – a testament to the daily combination of efficiency and creativity that thrived at Hitsville, U.S.A.

Ross was supported by over a dozen musicians at the Bowl, featuring four horn players and four backing vocalists. From the outset, they were cooking, delivering crisp and propulsive performances in Motown songs, smoothly gliding in “Upside Down”, and offering a rich yet authentic interpretation of Billie Holiday’s “Don’t Explain” from the 1972 biopic “Lady Sings the Blues.

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In total, we saw three stunning gowns grace the stage, starting with a voluminous canary-yellow one. Approximately midway through the performance, Ross switched costumes in a hidden dressing area at the back of the stage and reappeared in a bedazzled ruby red number. Toward the end of the show, she donned a shimmering gold dress. Each outfit was completed with a coordinating shawl that Ross would eventually discard, which was then caught by an assistant who seemed to anticipate the exact moment for the catch.

5. Alongside each dress, there was a large microphone pack provided, which, in a quirky styling decision, Ross chose to wear on her waist rather than concealing it behind her back.

I have a recently released album titled ‘Thank You,’ and I’d like to share a song from it with you now,” Ross told the audience, noticing some background noise. “Who’s speaking into the microphone?” she asked a stagehand off to her left. “Ignore that,” she said, turning back to the crowd. “My new album is called ‘Thank You.’ Each song on it is a way for me to express my gratitude for all the wonderful years we’ve shared together.” Another glance at the sound engineer. “It seems someone is still speaking into the microphone,” she said. “Never mind, let’s begin with the first track, ‘Tomorrow.’

Ross’ daughter Rhonda teamed up with her mother to perform another recently learned song, “Count on Me”. Diana expressed her pride (with a hint of secretiveness) about her daughter’s practice. Later, Rhonda continued with a mini-performance of her own, offering self-help and soul-folk tunes. One of these songs urged everyone to stop deceiving themselves about gaslighting.

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Seven decades after “The Wiz” first graced the Broadway stage in 1975, Ross performed her iconic songs from this Black adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz.” Her portrayal of Dorothy in the beloved film version played a significant role in establishing its cultural significance. At that time, “Home” was filled with a mix of longing and resolve, while “Ease on Down the Road” had everyone, including the VIPs at the Bowl’s box seats, tapping their feet to the rhythm.

I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life, there are many, everything is okay, I am resilient, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Toward the finale, several of Diana Ross’ kids joined her for an energetic rendition of “I Will Survive”. Not only that, they took the opportunity to announce their latest ventures in advertising. After expressing a quick word, Tracee Ellis Ross promoted her new travel show “Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross” now available on Roku. Diana Ross then passed the microphone to her son, Ross Naess, who introduced his caviar line called Arne Reserve. Turning to another child, she asked, “What’s up with you, Chudney?

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2025-07-27 01:31

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