Tracee Ellis Ross Says She Is ‘Happily Single’ But Open To Dating

In the November issue of Shape, Tracee Ellis Ross talks about being “happily single” and delighting in “joyful solitude,” though she is “open” to the idea of finding someone. 

“I am happily single, though that doesn’t mean I am not open to and don’t want a relationship,” the Black-ish star said. “But in my wonderful and robust experience of being single, I have learned to have a productive relationship with loneliness and an intensely juicy relationship with my joyful solitude — I really enjoy my company.”

Reflecting on relationships, Ross recognizes that she cannot invest herself in a relationship that does not allow her to remain whole with herself.

“People can be in wonderful relationships but can’t actually reap the joy of that connection. Because you can have all the good stuff, but if you don’t know how to be with it, it doesn’t matter. I realize that I hold the idea of wholeness with great reverence and respect because my goal is to have an experience with myself that is whole.”

The 47-year-old actress says she has spent her time during the pandemic mostly by herself learning about self-care, noting “you get back what you put in.”

“For example, one of the things I loved to do pre-pandemic is put on something cute and go for dinner and have a beautiful meal and a glass of wine. Well, can’t do that. But you know what? I can do that at home,” she said during the interview. “I make a beautiful plate. I set it out and have a glorious meal. I make my bed every morning. One of the things that’s been lovely to discover is how I care for myself and how I actively love myself. And I believe that love is an action: You get back what you put in.”

Ross revealed during the interview that she no longer tries to be perfect and understands “that’s not realistic.”

“I used to spend so much time trying to be perfect, to get it perfect. But that’s not realistic. Bad feelings come up.”