The actress is opening up about her experiences in her new ‘Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross’ show.
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Tracee Ellis Ross has proudly been sharing what it’s like to explore the world as a single and childless woman who has now entered her 50s. In her new show Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross, she brings viewers along as she creates her own happiness by jet-setting across the globe while collecting unforgettable experiences and realizations along the way.
During a particular episode of the series, which is available now on Roku, she reflects on the time Oprah Winfrey dubbed her “the poster child for singledom,” what that label means to her now, and how it indirectly inspired her solo traveling adventures.
“So much of what traveling is about, is for me, not waiting for something in order to walk towards my life, in order to be in my life, in order to experience my life,” she explained. “I think that was why I took my first trip solo. And I know that in some ways — I mean, Oprah said it. She said that I’m the poster child for singledom. I don’t want to be that.”
Instead, the Girlfriends star declared she wants to be a shining example for people who live their life to the fullest and prioritize their own needs. “I want to be the poster child for being an inhabitant in your own skin,” Tracee added. “For living in your own skin.”
“Yes, I am a single Black woman who does not have children, but not having a relationship — long, long relationships — not having children has allowed me to explore things of my own humanity. It has deposited me here at 52 in an extraordinary experience that is filled with joy, loneliness, grief, exuberance, delight, like, literally all of it. And I feel available to it.”
The original comment was made five years ago during a 2020 Vision Tour Visionaries interview. At the time, Ross told Oprah, “I am choicefully single. Happily, gloriously single. I do wish there were more examples. So many people have asked, ‘Have you ever thought about having children? My child gave my life meaning.’ I’m like, ‘Are you saying my life isn’t meaningful?’”
Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross includes vlog-style footage of the black-ish star hitting countries like Morocco, France, and Mexico, packing for lavish trips, entertaining herself during long layovers, and so much more.
View the conversation with Oprah in full below and a snippet of Ross’ new show above.