In a new biography simply called, ‘Diana Ross’, by J. Randy Taraborrelli, Ross is described as a woman who let her fame go to her head. And how.
The book claims Ross treated her staff terribly, one time even firing all 8 people working for her and then writing a letter trying to have them blacklisted everywhere.
The letter said: “If I let an employee go, it’s because either their work or their personal habits are not acceptable to me. I do not recommend these people. In fact, if you hear from these people and they use my name as a reference, I wish to be contacted.”
At least two of the former employees sued the star for millions of dollars.
Diana once hit an airline staff member over the head with a hat box that contained a small dog. She later claimed she was unaware the box contained the animal.
Taraborrelli writes: “Most of the time, Diana’s emotional outbursts were about things that really didn’t matter much to anyone but her.”
Other claims made in the book include ‘avert the eyes’ becoming the catchphrase used to announce Ross’ arrival as she insisted no one make eye contact with her.
Ross demanded dressing rooms were redecorated and “made to look like a star’s dressing room”.
Even Ross’ then-nine-year-old daughter, Tracee carried a notebook and pencil everywhere she went to keep a list of employees she thought were acting improperly.
Taraborrelli also alleges Ross upstaged Florence Ballard – who was axed from The Supremes and who was the basis for Jennifer Hudson’s ‘Dreamgirls’ character Effie – at Ballard’s funeral.
The book claims Ross marched from her front-row pew to the altar, took the microphone and announced, “Mary and I would now like to have a silent prayer.”
Taraborelli claims Supremes member Mary Wilson was sitting discreetly at the back of the church, and “the last thing she wanted to do was go up to the altar and be the center of attention”.
The new book is scheduled to hit shelves in September.
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