Diana Ross Reflects on Her Long Friendship With Michael Jackson, Bringing New Clarity to a Relationship Often Misunderstood

For more than five decades, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson were linked in the public imagination—two of Motown’s most influential performers, whose careers intersected at key moments in American music. Their connection has long been the subject of interpretation, fan theories, and tabloid speculation, much of which went far beyond what either artist ever confirmed.

Now, at 81, Ross has chosen to speak more openly about their friendship, offering perspective that focuses on respect, mentorship, and mutual admiration rather than the narratives that once surrounded them.