When Miss Diana Ross glided across the blue carpet in a white and silver shawl at the Met Gala last week, the 81-year-old superstar had won the night by reminding us that Older Americans Month does not have to mean that you must fade into the background. In fact, in 2025, the theme this year is Flip the Script on Aging. Miss Ross did just that and took center stage.
In an interview with Lala Anthony for Vogue, Miss Ross said attending the gala was a very last-minute decision. “Everything was at the last moment. My son persuaded me, because I’m actually on tour. He said ‘Mom, you’ve gotta go.”
Miss Ross hasn’t been to the Met Gala in 22 years, but she returned in spectacular style in what she called a “forever family gown,” designed by Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie.
What makes this shawl even more amazing is that the underside of the 18-foot train was embroidered with the names of each of her five children and eight grandchildren. She said the designer “turned her vision into a tapestry of love.” A custom hat designed by Sarah Sokol Milinery, trimmed with feathers, topped off her ensemble.
Her son Evan Ross was her escort. Her daughter Tracee Ellis Ross also attended the gala but arrived later.
Miss Ross’s return to the Met Gala was a buzzworthy event for many. People captured the occasion with a rare photo shoot of the former Supremes lead singer with her children and grandchildren.
Zendaya walked the carpet shortly after Miss Ross, wearing a white suit and hat reminiscent of one worn by Miss Ross in character Tracy Chambers in Mahogany. Her influence echoes through generation after generation and refers to her and “the reference” for her look.”
Meanwhile, Miss Ross is still showing us what it means to flip the script on aging daily. She is heading to the UK, Paris, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, before appearing at the Hollywood Bowl in July.
About Older Americans Month: Historically, it has been a time to acknowledge past and current older persons in our country.
