Tracee Ellis Ross and Diana Ross.Photo:Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty; Toni Anne Barson/FilmMagic)

Tracee Ellis Ross Recalls Mom Diana Ross Dressing Up as Mrs. Claus for Christmas

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty; Toni Anne Barson/FilmMagic)

Tracee Ellis Rosssays her music superstar mom insisted on being called “Mrs. Claus” while dressed up one year as Santa’s significant other.

On Tuesday, PEOPLE spoke with the actress, 51, at theCandy Cane Lanepremiere where she shared one of her top Christmas memories withDiana Ross.

“Well, my favorite story is the year I went home and my mom was dressed as Mrs. Claus and I was, ‘Hi Mom,’ and she said, ‘Mrs. Claus.'”

As for how long the “Upside Down” singer, 79, kept up the festive role, Ellis shares it was “a long time.” She adds, “My mom was committed.”

Going on to discuss whether or not her family exchanges any over-the-top gifts, Ellis said that they’re “not very material.”

Tracee Ellis Ross at the Candy Cane Lane premiere in Los Angeles on Nov. 28, 2023.\Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Tracee Ellis Ross attends the World Premiere of Amazon Prime Video’s Candy Cane Lane

\Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

In a separate interview ahead of Tuesday’s premiere, PEOPLE spoke more with Ross about the family’s traditions, which typically revolve around “the grandkids.”

“All my mom wants is to be around the kids, the grandkids,” Ross shared. “That’s the thing.”

Ross has eight nieces and nephews from her four siblings, sisters Rhonda Ross Kendrick andChudney Rossand brothersEvan Rossand Ross Naess.

“So I mean, it might as well beFAO Schwarzfor Christmas morning," she shares, admitting it’s a different caliber for the little ones. “It’s insane.”

But the family’s matriarch is truly happy with anything from the heart. “Oh my mom loves anything,” Ross continued. “I swear to God, you could look at my mom and be like, ‘I made you this hug from the deepest part of my soul,’ and she would be like, ‘It’s beautiful.’”

Diana Ross and Tracee Ellis Ross at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills.Kevin Mazur/VF19/WireImage

Diana Ross (L) and Tracee Ellis Ross attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones

Kevin Mazur/VF19/WireImage

Discussing her family-friendly holiday film back on Tuesday’s carpet, theBlack-ishalum, who stars in the new Amazon Prime comedy withEddie Murphy, shares her goal of “continuing to tell stories that bring joy and light and connect us as human beings.”

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Expressing appreciation for her career — and expanding business ventures — the Pattern Beauty CEO notes to PEOPLE she’s at a “really wonderful time” in her life.

Ross also credits the hit comedy that helped propel her career, adding,“Black-ishreally set me up in a beautiful way.”

source: people.com