“I’m never retiring”: Diana Ross triumphs with spectacular Hollywood Bowl Shows

Legendary music icon Diana Ross proved once again that her voice, presence, and spirit remain timeless. On July 25 and 26, 2025, the 81-year-old singer delivered two sold-out performances at Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood Bowl — a dazzling celebration of her six-decade career that turned into a heartfelt family affair.

Joining Ross onstage were her children and grandchildren, adding a deeply personal touch to the star-studded concerts. A particularly emotional moment came with the appearance of Berry Gordy — founder of Motown and father of Ross’s eldest daughter, Rhonda. On Saturday evening, after Ross paid tribute to Gordy, Rhonda performed Count on Me, a song she wrote for her mother that appeared on Ross’s 2021 album Thank You.

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross, best known for Girlfriends and Black-ish, also took the stage with her mother for a duet of Endless Love. With a smile, she confessed to the audience: “I still get nervous singing with her.”

Other family members — Chudney Ross, Evan Ross, and Ross Naess — joined in the celebration, along with grandchildren Jagger and Ziggy, the children of Evan and singer Ashlee Simpson.

Ross opened the show with her first solo No. 1 hit Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, her voice soaring through the speakers before she even appeared. She emerged in a regal white tulle gown cascading with sequins and a dramatic black cape.

Throughout the evening, she made three costume changes: a vibrant red feathered gown, a shimmering bronze ensemble with a lamé jacket, and finally, a glittering silver crystal-studded dress for the encore. Backed by a seven-piece dance troupe in black and a white-suited orchestra, the stage featured a grand white piano and stunning visuals nodding to various eras of her career.

One of the most poignant highlights was a gospel-infused rendition of Amazing Grace, sung at a slow, reverent pace that filled the amphitheater with an almost sacred stillness. The silence was soon broken as the crowd erupted to the disco classic Upside Down (1980).

Ross also revisited her film legacy with Don’t Explain from Lady Sings the Blues (1972), which earned her an Oscar nomination, and Theme from Mahogany (1975). Before the latter, she reminded fans that she had personally designed the costumes for her role as fashion icon Tracy Chambers.

“You know, I’m 81,” Ross told the crowd, drawing thunderous applause. She followed it with a line that’s become her mantra: “I’m never retiring.” She first made the declaration during a Brooklyn show in March — and continues to live by it.

With over 60 years on stage, Diana Ross remains one of the greatest entertainers of all time. From her start with The Supremes in 1959 to headlining massive venues in 2025, her ability to inspire, surprise, and captivate remains as strong as ever.

As Ross herself would say — quitting simply isn’t her style.