*At 52, Tracee Ellis Ross is still embracing the single life–but not without some reflection.
The “Black-ish” star recently opened up about the emotional complexity of navigating love, career, and personal growth during a candid conversation on Michelle Obama’s podcast, IMO, co-hosted with her brother, Craig Robinson, Bossip reports.
Ross admitted that while she leads a fulfilling, “robust” life, there’s a quiet grief tied to not having a partner or children. “As much grief does surface for me around not having children and not having a partner… I still wouldn’t want the wrong partner,” she said. “You have to make my life better, it can’t just be I’m in a relationship just to be in a relationship.”
She emphasized that being single has shown her she doesn’t need a partner to navigate life’s challenges.
“I’ve built a really beautiful experience around me. And I have incredible friends,” Ross shared, noting that she’s proud of her career, her independence, and the “courage” it took to build the life she has.
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Tracee Ellis Ross says she only dates younger men because of the toxic masculinity in men her age.
(?: Michelle Obama/YouTube)pic.twitter.com/SvoU4MYW2w
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) April 18, 2025
Ross also gave insight into her dating preferences. She gravitates toward younger men, saying they’re often more emotionally open than their older counterparts.
“Anything that starts to smell of [toxic masculinity] for me—I did enough of it… I have no interest in it and I will not do it again,” she said, referencing traditional relationship dynamics she finds outdated and controlling.
While she’s still seeking a meaningful connection, don’t expect to see her swiping through dating apps. Ross prefers meeting potential partners through mutual friends or industry events, especially those with “a level of recognition.” As she put it, “They have as much to lose as me to a certain extent.”
Despite not having “great luck lately,” Ross remains hopeful. “I’m moving up, on what it is that I’m looking for as a match,” she said.
Watch Tracee’s podcast interview below.
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