Tracee Ellis Ross Reveals Which Celebrity Frightened Her as a Child

A Childhood Encounter with the Pop Art Icon

Tracee Ellis Ross grew up in the orbit of global stardom, but not every brush with fame left her starstruck. During a recent appearance on the podcast Baby, This is Keke Palmer, the Black-ish actress revealed that a 1981 visit to Andy Warhol’s New York City studio, The Factory, left her genuinely frightened.

The session was intended to produce portraits of the Ross family—including Diana and her daughters, Tracee, Rhonda, and Chudney. Instead of a glamorous meeting, the young Tracee found the artist’s persona deeply intimidating.

From Childhood Fear to Artistic Clarity

“I met him. I was not star-struck. I was actually frightened,” Ross told host Keke Palmer. When pressed for the reason behind her fear, Ross attributed it to Warhol’s “very distinct look.” She admitted that as a child, she lacked the context to understand the artist’s work, noting, “I did not understand what was happening.”

Decades later, Ross views the experience through a different lens. She now describes Warhol’s approach as a “satirical, reflective thing” that blended high art with the aesthetics of fame—a style she considers “extraordinary.”

The Legacy of The Factory Session

The 1981 encounter left a permanent mark on the Ross family archive. One of the Polaroids captured during that session was eventually selected by Diana Ross to serve as the cover art for her 1982 studio album, Silk Electric.

A Contrast in Celebrity Interactions

The intimidation Ross felt toward Warhol stood in stark contrast to her reaction to meeting comedy legend Lucille Ball. During the same interview, Ross recounted staying on the same hotel floor as the I Love Lucy star.

Upon learning that Ball was nearby, a young Ross began repeatedly shouting the iconic sitcom catchphrase, “Lucy, I’m home.” She recalled her sisters’ frustration as she continued to yell, hoping to grab the actress’s attention. While Ross noted she was unsure if Ball ever heard her, she confirmed that she did eventually meet the television pioneer during the stay.

Summary of Cultural Exposure

• Early Exposure: Tracee Ellis Ross grew up in the orbit of major cultural figures due to her mother’s career as a global superstar.
• Warhol Portraiture: The 1981 photoshoot at The Factory resulted in the cover art for Diana Ross’s album Silk Electric.
• Artistic Evolution: Ross stated that her perspective on Warhol shifted from childhood fear to adult admiration for his satirical commentary on fame.
• Celebrity Interactions: Beyond Warhol, Ross highlighted her childhood enthusiasm for Lucille Ball, illustrating the vastly different ways a child of fame experiences meeting other icons.