Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross makes her debut in a leading film role in The High Note, which premiered Friday on streaming platforms.
Ross plays Grace Davis, a pop music diva looking to reignite her career, alongside Dakota Johnson and Ice Cube.
The Focus Features dramedy follows Grace as she deals with aging and no longer having number one hits, while her manager suggests that she commit to a Las Vegas residency to maintain income. The film addresses ageism in the music industry.
Related Story: Michelle Williams Channels Diana Ross in ‘American Soul’
The role marks the first time that Ross, 47, has ever been heard singing on screen, but in an interview with the New York Post, she revealed that it was always something she wanted to do.
“I always wanted to be a singer,” said Ross. “I don’t know where along the way — consciously or unconsciously — I took another path. I had a lot of great success and great opportunities as an actress, and I got busy. So it wasn’t as if I had closed the door on that dream.”
Given that her mother is Motown legend Diana Ross, Tracee said people did make natural comparisons between them. Asked if she felt the pressure of living up to her mother’s legacy, Ross said yes.
“Honestly, it was terrifying,” she told the Post. “My mom is extraordinary and a beloved icon globally for her voice. So, of course, I worried about the comparison and all that. But it was more [like] all of a sudden, at 47 years old, trying to learn how to swim. I had to face that fear and walk through it.”
Throughout the filming of the movie, Ross revealed that she became more comfortable with singing and being in the studio, and eventually found her groove.
The High Note is available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, Fandango, and video on demand.
Watch the trailer below.
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