Diana Ross Rare Family Tribute

It’s been 22 years since Diana Ross last walked the Met Gala carpet, and this year, she made her return with a statement of style and family. On May 5, the 81-year-old singer arrived in a custom feathered gown featuring an 18-foot train embroidered with the names of her five children and eight grandchildren. The look was a collaboration with her son Evan Ross and designer Ugo Mozie.

The “Coming Out” singer shared a video collage of her entrance on Instagram, highlighting the gown, press coverage, and family photo from the evening. “I had a magical evening at the Met Gala with my son @realevanross, wearing a gown that he and I created with @ugomozie,” she captioned the post. “The names of my children & grandchildren, the most important people to me, were embroidered in my 18-foot train so I felt like I brought all of them with me. What a beautiful night.”

Her daughter Chudney Ross commented, “Truly spectacular, Mom! What a beautiful, sparkly, shining moment! Love you so much.” Designer Ugo Mozie also reflected on the experience, writing, “Honored to have been a part of such a beautiful historic moment. Thank you for trusting me with your vision.”

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The gown required six people to manage and was one of two looks Ross wore that evening. The second was inspired by her role in the 1975 film “Mahogany”, which also influenced Zendaya’s Louis Vuitton zoot suit. Zendaya called Ross “the reference” in an interview. Ross later told Vogue on the red carpet livestream that she hadn’t initially planned to attend due to her tour schedule, but her son persuaded her. “I’m actually on tour,” Ross said.

Inside Diana Ross’s Family Tree: Five Kids and Eight Grandchildren

Ross attended the Met Gala with her son Evan and posed for rare photos alongside all five of her children: Rhonda Ross Kendrick, Tracee Ellis Ross, Chudney Ross, Ross Naess, and Evan Ross. Her grandchildren Raif, Callaway, Bronx, Jagger, Leif, Indigo, Everlee, and Ziggy were honored through the embroidery in her gown.

Evan Ross, born in 1988, works in both music and acting. He is married to Ashlee Simpson, and they have two children, Jagger and Ziggy.

Tracee Ellis Ross, born in 1972, is best known for her television roles in “Girlfriends” and “Black-ish”. She also launched the haircare brand Pattern Beauty. Chudney Ross, born in 1975, works in education and owns a children’s bookstore. She is married to Joshua Faulkner, and they share daughters Callaway and Everlee.

Rhonda Ross Kendrick, born in 1971, is a jazz singer and poet. She is the daughter of Diana Ross and Motown founder Berry Gordy, and is married to musician Rodney Kendrick. They share a son named Raif. Ross Naess, born in 1987, is the son of Diana Ross and Norwegian businessman Arne Naess Jr. He lives a low-profile life with his wife Kimberly Ryan and their son Leif.

On Tour at 81, Diana Ross Says, ‘I’ll Never Retire’

Ross turned 81 in March and remains active in music. She is currently on a world tour that began in February, with dates scheduled through July across the U.S. and Europe. 

She later posted photos from the shows to Instagram, writing about the memories made and acknowledging that some of her children and grandchildren were in attendance. She also made a surprise appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards, presenting a major category and delivering a message of hope after wildfires in Los Angeles.

Even while touring, Ross returned to the Met Gala wearing a gown embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren, marking a rare public family tribute during her ongoing world tour. During two sold-out performances at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre earlier this year, Ross told the crowd, “I’ll never retire.”