Tracee Ellis Ross is keeping it real when it comes to her love life, and this time she’s getting super honest about the choices she’s made, and why younger men often make the cut.
On the April 16 episode of Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson’s IMO podcast, the 52-year-old actress got candid about patterns in her dating life, the grief of not having a family, and the peace she’s found living life on her own terms.
While chatting with the former First Lady, Ross admitted she often dates men younger than herself, and there’s a good reason. “A lot of men my age are steeped in toxic masculinity,” she said. “I did enough of it where I was controlled and felt like I was a possession or a prize – I just have no interest in it. And I will not do it again.” That bold honesty is peak Tracee. She did acknowledge that it’s a generalization, but said younger men usually bring a kind of openness that’s refreshing.
One thing’s clear, she’s done playing teacher or coach in her relationships. “I have long been past the age where I feel like it’s my job to teach somebody or grow them up,” she said. “That, I’m not interested in.” Instead, she’s focused on finding someone who adds to her life, not just takes up space in it.
Even though Ross says she enjoys her independence, she didn’t shy away from sharing the emotional side of things. She admitted that she’s grieved the traditional milestones she thought she’d hit by now, like marriage and kids. “I’m not married. I don’t have children, and I think I grieve that at times,” she shared. “But I still wouldn’t want the wrong partner.” It’s not about being in a relationship for the sake of one, it’s about a real, meaningful connection.
The Black-ish star said she’s learned to fully enjoy her life instead of just waiting for something to change. “I wake up every morning trying to do my best. I didn’t wake up one morning and be like, ‘I’m going to mess this day up.’ So I must be where I’m supposed to be,” she said. She also reflected on her strength as a single woman who’s had to figure things out solo: “I think of all the things I’ve done, the courage I’ve had to have, and what I’ve had to learn to navigate with no one to hide behind.”
Tracee Ellis Ross continues to inspire fans not just with her work, but with her honesty. Her take on dating, growth, and self-worth is the kind of energy more of us could use.
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