Her mom's birthday and Mother's day might have passed months ago, but funny woman Tracee Ellis Ross knew just the right gift to randomly, yet thoughtfully, surprise her mother Diana Ross with. Tracee Ellis Ross recreated the legendary singer's music video to her 1981 hit single, "Work That Body" to not only show appreciation but, also to encourage women everywhere to feel positive about their bodies and the way they present them. The remake is a personal way to remember her mother as well as a way to reach out to other women.
On Saturday (August 22), Tracee revealed the secret project she'd been teasing fans about on her social media accounts to her personal website. Along with the tribute video to Diana Ross, the 42-year-old star of Black-ish posted a detailed explanation as to why she chose this moment in musical history, as well as, how the underlying message of the video and song still holds substantial meaning in today's society.
"I decided to recreate my Mom's Work That Body video from 1981 as a fun experiment and a surprise for my mama," said Ross on her personal website. "And ODE to her! While she has so, so many incredible moments to choose from, this one had an impact on me. At first I wasn't sure why, but in true "Tracee" fashion I became a little obsessed. I like to study these things until I am clear about what I'm seeing, what it's making me feel, and why."
"Still, it didn't feel like she was dancing as a presentation of herself or like she was offering up her bits, which I feel like most videos are these days. Often in today's images (moving and still), we are being objectified or we objectifying ourselves. I think it is meant to be an empowered act, a reclaiming of our bodies. But that is not always what it feels like to me. I am not intending to judge, just exploring with curiosity."
Tracee is eager for women to seek happiness internally instead of from external sources. Beauty is something that should be felt within, not validated by someone else. The actress has never been shy when it comes to talking about injustice or the misrepresentation of women, especially women of color, in the media. With this video, she looks to empower women to explore the joy of their bodies, their sexiness, their uniqueness, without the intention of pleasing an onlooker.
"And then it hit me: My mom felt whole and connected ...and in her body in this video. I have spoken before about encouraging women to shift our gaze from how we are seen to how we are seeing and, more important, feeling. And I saw a woman feeling joyful in herself as a whole being; she didn't seem to be presenting her ass or saying look at all the ways I can make myself look appealing to YOU. She seems to be saying, 'this is ME feeling good and I am strong and sexy and joyful in ME'!"
Watch Tracee Ellis Ross in the new upcoming season of ABC's Black-ish on Sept. 23 at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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