Actress Tracee Ellis Ross has been loved by many from the roles she plays to the fashion choices and risks she takes. Many have lauded the “Girlfriends” actress for her natural beauty and class, but it seems as though some on Twitter lately feel quite the opposite, as they’ve begun to drag the actress on the platform.
Ross has become a Black Hollywood icon over the recent years, extending her resume to being an entrepreneur as well. Less than a year ago the actress launched the “Pattern Beauty” line and has become an advocate for black women. The “Black-ish” actress had an interview with Kerry Washington for Elle’s “State of Black Beauty” issue, where she also served as the cover girl, and the two discussed matters from beauty to hair.
The “Little Fires Everywhere” actress asked her about her journey in creating the beauty line, to which the actress responded, “It started as such a personal relationship with my own hair, and feeling like I didn’t have the support to find what I needed. Not just in terms of products, but in terms of how to love myself. I was very supported in my family around my hair,” she confessed, “but in terms of seeing all different kinds of versions in the wallpaper of my lives out in the world, I wasn’t seeing it. And I was getting confused. All of the things that I was taught from the media were like, I was supposed to have easy breezy beautiful hair. Bouncin’ and behavin’. My hair didn’t blow in the wind! All of these things didn’t match up.”
She went on to recall a story of when she was at Essence Music Festival around a decade ago when someone told her she needed to “get her hair done” and “put some heat in her hair” because she’s on tv. “Growing up, we all went through this experience, where straight hair was your dressed-up hair,” she said. “The blowout, silky-whatever meant you became more presentable, more appropriate. It was your dressy, sexy version of you. I see such an evolution on that narrative and I’m so grateful for it. I’ve had days, particularly during the pandemic, but even two years ago, where I looked at the news and I’m like, “Oh my god.” You’re never used to see natural texture on a news anchor. There’s been a real shift. And bringing the circle back to Dr. Crenshaw and this idea of the frame—I realize that Black girls have been magic forever, but once we got this term, the world was able to see that magic in a way it wasn’t being received before.
“From Girlfriends until now, what I see out in the world gives me courage to be myself. Seeing the way Solange wears her hair,” she continued, “I’m like, “So beautiful. This is so beautiful.”
While many have often praised Tracee for her style and beauty, a Twitter user begged to differ, causing a whirlwind of responses. “Y’all let her become the face of Black beauty and I’ll never forgive you,” she said.
Y’all let her become the face of Black beauty and I’ll never forgive you. pic.twitter.com/AnCntMwiDR
— . (@ThisAppAnnoysMe) September 28, 2020
Some agreed with her, with one user saying “I feel her. Tracie Ellis [sic] cute to me but overhyped by mainstream America. Lupita Nyongo gets no love and she’s way more beautiful to me. But she not fair skinned.” Another user wrote “She’s a beautiful woman, but she shouldn’t be the face of black beauty. She’s half white.” One user questioned who gave her the title saying, “who made her the face of black beauty tho?? Love tracee but don’t remember her ever having that title or position really.”
While some stood in agreement with her, others stepped up to defend the actress. “What we not gon do it [sic] hate on Miss Ellis Ross,” wrote a fan, and another said “she is known in the industry with countless talents as you sit on the couch and complain about her on Twitter. you can improve, sis.”
Check out some more user reactions below.
girl what??? pic.twitter.com/FBjNxw3CiO
— ???????? ????. (@highendtheori) September 28, 2020
She’s a beautiful woman, but she shouldn’t be the face of black beauty. She’s half white.
— Auburn (@Auburn_Dawnn) September 29, 2020
a black woman putting down another black woman, h8 to see it.
— B1G $AG ♐️ (@badgalzeezeee) September 28, 2020
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