Tracee Ellis Ross’ humor can’t keep a straight face in the room. As she glided into VIBE HQ after a full press day (March 30), the five-foot-seven actress burst into song. Today’s vocal exercise: a combo of Drake’s “Legend” and “Know Yourself,” a subconscious nod to the Toronto rapper who once declared to Ross on Instagram, “I will marry you.”
Beyond the ‘gram, though, Ross is the MVP of ABC’s Black-ish every Wednesday night. As Rainbow, matriarch of the Johnson household, she keeps it real in a quirky way (See: Episode 12’s history lesson/ ski trip in “Martin Luther Skiing Day“) while keeping hubby, Dre, and their four kids in check.
ALSO SEE: Know Yourself: Tracee Ellis Ross On Being Your Own ‘Woe’
Other days, #TMurda emerges. With her hilarious renditions of Young Thug’s “Lifestyle” and Drake’s “6 God,” T.E.R.’s rap alter ego has helped her bag over two million views on YouTube.
But even with her insane schedule and countless characters, Tracee Ellis Ross returned to host BET’s Black Girls Rock! for the fifth year in a row, alongside Regina King. This year, the white carpet was studded with stars like Jada Pinkett Smith, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, Ciara and special guest, First Lady Michelle Obama. Even amidst the celebs, Ross is quick to point out that even some of the more unfamiliar names are just as important to watch.
“The extraordinary thing about the award show is that we take a moment to honor all different kinds of women,” she told VIBE. “Dr. Helene Gayle. Principal Nadia Lopez. These are two names you might not know but you need to know. You’ll watch on Sunday.”
Here, Tracee also discusses #TMurda’s new set of grillz and her true feelings for Drake.
Catch Black Girls Rock! on Sunday night (April 5) at 7/6c on BET.
Photo Credit: Karl Ferguson | Video Credit: Jason Chandler