Actress and haircare entrepreneur Tracee Ellis Ross is preparing for her Broadway debut in the production "Every Brilliant Thing" this summer [1].
Ross' transition to the New York City stage coincides with her ongoing efforts to disrupt the global beauty industry. By leveraging her platform as a business owner and performer, she aims to shift the conversation around aging and aesthetic expectations for women.
In a conversation with ForbesWomen Editor Maggie McGrath, Ross discussed the intersection of her professional ventures and her personal evolution. She focused on the concept of redefining personal power after turning 50 [1]. This milestone serves as a catalyst for her current work, as she seeks to dismantle the limitations often placed on women as they age.
Ross' haircare empire operates on a global scale, providing a tangible way for her to challenge industry norms. She has used her business to push back against a culture that she believes restricts the definition of what is considered attractive.
"Our culture narrowly defines beauty," Ross said [2].
This philosophy informs both her entrepreneurial strategy and her artistic choices. The move to Broadway represents a new chapter in her career, allowing her to explore complex narratives on stage while continuing to advocate for a more inclusive understanding of beauty, and power [1].
Ross' approach emphasizes that empowerment does not have an expiration date. By openly discussing the transition into her 50s, she positions herself as a challenger to the beauty industry's traditional focus on youth as the primary metric of value [1].
“"Our culture narrowly defines beauty."”
Ross' public pivot toward age-positive empowerment reflects a broader trend in the luxury and beauty sectors to target the 'silver economy.' By challenging narrow beauty standards while launching a high-profile theatrical debut, she is aligning her personal brand with the growing demand for authenticity and inclusivity for women over 50.
