Diana Ross Reveals the Seven Artists She Hated: Shock, Betrayal, and the Dark Side of Hollywood

For decades, Diana Ross has been a symbol of grace, talent, and stardom, ruling the Motown empire as the queen of soul. But in a rare and shocking revelation at 81, Ross has broken her silence to expose the seven artists she truly despised. These weren’t just rivals or strangers—these were collaborators, friends, and even lovers who, in her eyes, betrayed her in ways the public never knew. Get ready to hear the untold story of the shocking feuds and the deep wounds that have remained hidden for years.

1. Michael Jackson: The Protégé Who Betrayed Her

The first name on Ross’s list is one that will leave fans in disbelief: Michael Jackson. Once considered a “baby” by Diana, Michael was the young talent she helped launch into stardom. She introduced him to Barry Gordy, stood by his side during the Jackson 5’s rise to fame, and even welcomed him into her home when the pressures of fame became too much. However, as Michael’s career exploded in the 1980s, he distanced himself from her. In 1989, when Diana presented him with a lifetime achievement award, he didn’t thank her once. Instead, he thanked everyone else—his fans, his chimp Bubbles—but not the woman who had been like a mother to him. Ross called that moment “the last straw.” She vowed never to mentor another young male artist again. When Michael named her guardian of his children in his will, she didn’t comment. The pain was clear—she felt completely abandoned by the protégé she had once adored.

2. Barry Gordy: The Secret Lover Who Controlled Her Career

Barry Gordy, the mastermind behind Motown Records and the man who helped shape Diana Ross’s career, is number two on the list. Their relationship was not only professional but also romantic, though it became toxic over time. Gordy was known for controlling every aspect of Ross’s career, from song choices to film roles. Ross later admitted that she didn’t choose her iconic role in Lady Sings the Blues—Barry did. Despite his early support, his need to control her life and career led to resentment. In 1981, Ross left Motown and signed a record-breaking $20 million deal with RCA, an act that humiliated Gordy. He accused her of forgetting her roots, and Ross cut all business ties with him. For her, it was about reclaiming control over her own life, but it came at the cost of their personal and professional relationship.

3. Aretha Franklin: The Rival Queen Who Humiliated Her

In a moment that became one of the coldest gestures in music history, Aretha Franklin turned her back on Diana Ross during a televised event in 1985. The two had long been rivals, with Franklin feeling overshadowed by Ross’s success. When they met on stage, Aretha refused to acknowledge Diana, turning her back mid-song, an act that stunned everyone in the audience. Franklin later made subtle digs at Ross, implying that Ross was more about appearance than substance. For Ross, this was a betrayal of their shared history, and she made it clear she would never share a stage with Aretha again.

4. Lionel Richie: The Partner Who Walked Away

Lionel Richie, who collaborated with Ross on the hit song Endless Love, is next on the list. Despite their undeniable chemistry on stage, Richie shocked Ross by pulling out of their joint world tour in 1981 without any explanation. He was advised by his team that continuing to work with Ross would trap him in her shadow, and he chose to walk away. Ross was furious, as she had already made plans and created a tour around him. She never sang with him again, despite their earlier success together.

5. Mary Wilson: The Sister Who Turned Against Her

When Diana Ross left The Supremes in 1970, it was the beginning of a decades-long feud with Mary Wilson, one of her original bandmates. Wilson’s feelings of betrayal were evident when she stood motionless as Diana waved goodbye on stage. Their friendship turned sour, and Wilson accused Diana of being selfish and manipulative. Their relationship soured further when Wilson published her memoir, Dream Girl, in which she accused Ross of pushing Florence Ballard out of the group. Diana was heartbroken, as she had always considered the group her family, but she never spoke publicly about Wilson’s accusations. Their 2000 reunion tour was the final blow, as Wilson demanded equal billing and pay, a deal Diana refused. The tour fell apart, and they never reconciled.

6. Quincy Jones: The Producer Who Shut Her Out

Quincy Jones, one of the most respected producers in music, made the list for one simple reason: he shut Ross out. In 1981, Ross’s team reached out to Jones for a collaboration, but he turned them down, saying she was “too difficult” and “past her prime.” Ross had just left Motown and was trying to reinvent herself, and she saw this as a slap in the face. Jones’s rejection cut deep for Ross, and although she never publicly confronted him, she later alluded to him in her 1993 autobiography, saying, “Sometimes the men you admire the most admire someone else.” That rejection marked the end of any potential collaboration between the two.

7. David Bowie: The Admired Icon Who Mocked Her

Finally, the legendary David Bowie. Despite their shared admiration for each other, their brief friendship ended after a cruel remark Bowie made about Ross’s hit Upside Down. At a private London party, Bowie mockingly referred to the song as “glossy nonsense for bored housewives,” a comment that devastated Ross. Although they had shared late-night studio sessions and glamorous parties, that one comment shattered their connection. Ross was humiliated and refused to engage with Bowie ever again. She later admitted that his words made her feel “small for being happy.”

Diana’s Final Word: A Legacy of Betrayal

Diana Ross’s journey through the music world has been shaped by both her unparalleled success and the betrayals that came from those closest to her. From her fallout with Michael Jackson to the betrayal by her own bandmates and collaborators, Ross has faced more than her fair share of heartbreak. But as she nears the end of her career, she’s breaking her silence and sharing the painful truths behind her relationships with some of the biggest names in music.

Her story is one of triumph, resilience, and raw emotion—one that proves the cost of fame can sometimes be far higher than we realize. As Diana continues to share her story, the world can only wonder how these iconic figures in her life will be remembered—not just for their music, but for the ways in which they shaped, and in some cases, scarred, Diana Ross.