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Snapped! Diana Ross and Mary Wilson on the same stage at opening night of “Motown” on Broadway
Tonight is opening night of Motown, the Broadway musical about the history of the legendary Detroit-based record label that launched the careers of Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Stevie Wonder and so many more.
Jane Fonda was among the stars on hand and she tweeted just tweeted this photo from the curtain call. You see Robinson at the left next to Motown founder Berry Gordy who wrote the book for the show and on his right is Miss Ross. Right next to Diana is her one-time singing partner, former Supreme Mary Wilson.
These two have quite a history – and it’s not all good. Girlhood friends from the Detroit projects, they are founding members of the Supremes. But the last time these two ladies stood on a stage together was 30 years ago for Motown’s 25th anniversary special. Their reunion, which also included fellow Supreme Cindy Birdsong (who replaced the late Florence Ballard in the group) was a disaster. Ross and Wilson clashed and there was some elbowing of Wilson out of the spotlight by Ross.
In 2000, they tried to reunite for a tour but negotiations fell apart amid hard feelings between Ross and Wilson.
It’s nice to see them on the same stage again – not sure how friendly they were but when I find out, will certainly share!
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
ROBERT A. LOFGREN JR. says:
AND I DON’T BLAME MARY FOR NOT DOING THE TOUR. DIANE WAS TO BE PAID 15-20 MILLION. OF COURSE ROSS DENIED IT TO BARBARA WALTERS. MARY WAS TO GET 2 MILLION, MAYBE 3. GUESS WHAT!!! THE TOUR HAD TO BE CANCELLED BECAUSE OF POOR TICKET SALES. PEOPLE WANTED TO SEE THE ORIGINAL SUPREMES. ALTHOUGH FLO COULD NOT BE THERE, BUT CINDY HER REPLACEMENT WAS OFFERED LESS THAN I MILLION. DIANE CLAIMED PEOPLE WANTED TO SEE HER, NOT THE SUPREMES. WELL ROSS, I GUESS YOU WERE WRONG. GET IT THREW YOUR THICK EGO HEAD. YOU WERE NOT THE ONLY SUPREME LIKE YOU THINK.
ROBERT A. LOFGREN JR. says:
AND ANOTHER THING. MARY WILSON AND FLO WERE PRETTIER THAN DIANE.
ROBERT A. LOFGREN JR. says:
DIANE WAS OLIVE OIL. FLO WAS THE CURVY ONE WITH THE NICE BODY.
paul says:
both women are at fault Diana can not talk it out nor can mary…and who gets hurt …the fans…what made the supremes unique were all three beautiful women….Diana is not as healthy as she likes to pretend and mary don’t need the supremes anymore her career is just fine
ROSS says:
So Sorry, But Diana Ross already tried to reunite the Supremes in 2000 and Miss Mary Wilson acted like a total greedy jealous insane bitch over the money that Miss Ross was alleged to receive so the reunion never happened. Diana Ross has said many times she since then that she already tried it once and will not be doing it again. Sorry Mary, but you F***** up with your selfishness and jealousy of the SUPREME QUEEN. MISS DIANA ROSS the BOSS!
James The Flame says:
Ok, I read the posts. I actually learned a lot about the Supremes from reading them. I am no expert on the Supremes. If Berry honestly only signed the Supremes because of Diana, then fine. What I do know is that all of us will die one day, including everyone at Motown, and of course, our beloved Diane and Mary. There have been so many groups and singers and actors and famous people who have careers that involve problems with others.
My thing, before I start rambling, is this, have a reunion, but only do it to glorify God. Self glory, money, all that garbage, matters not. Have some faith. FAmous people have influence. Use it to help. Patch up differences while there is time and life. Be forgiving and be forgiven. I see so much hatred among Supremes fans pitting Ross against Wilson. It is super pathetic. We need to pray for these ladies. They need to do a gospel concert, songs of love, and truly put all the crap behind them, and send a message of Supreme love. I am highly critical of anyone who judges. Who are we to judge? So small minded. So I am bashing the bashers. Please realize how silly you are and how you sound. We have real problems in the world. Who cares about the crap in the Supremes 40 or 50 years ago? Pathetic.
The Supremes were the greatest female singing group of all time, because of Gordy, HDH, Maxine Powell, James Jamerson and other musicians, and even the other Motown groups that suffered as a result of the Supremes. And don’t forget the families, the mothers, and fathers, who took care of them so they could grow up to be who they became. No one person made that happen. Only God gets the glory.
jose ruiz says:
As Diana stated on the Walters’ interview the deal Mary was offered meant that she wouldn’t have to pay for anything, hotel room, costume, etc. When an artists tours they have to pay for everything which means that if Diana was indeed paid 20 million she probably also had to pay for touring costs.
Paul Golio says:
Truth is it was as a group that THE SUPREMES spread magic.And all 4 …yes,4 Diana,Flo,Mary and Cindy all have a place in music history….and as solos as well….Diana the diva,Mary the sole supreme rock n roll queen,Flo the myth and Cindy the classy one.Berry Gordy can say what ever he likes but it was the three young black girls from America that owned the 60s.If Diana started out as a solo she would have been just another singer up there with Dionne,Aretha,Mary,….I would like to see one the supremes as a group honored the way Ross has been….
Canadian Fan says:
The Supremes were and always will be a favourite Motown group of mine. I leave all judgements to be made from a higher power when we all face our day of reckoning. It is not for anyone to pass judgement and for all of those involved they themselves know what is the truth.
Sherry Grant says:
If there’s a cure for this I don’t want don’t want it vodka and lemon twist I want it want it I got the sweetest hangover.
Levi says:
Diana was supposed to be paid points on the backend which means if the tour made money she would make money. That is where the “projected number comes from”. The girls money was guaranteed up front. If Mary was smart she would have negotiated points but the producers of the tour (not Diana) had already stated that they wouldn’t share that as that would cut into their profits.
As for her book. Diana left the Supremes in 1969. After that Mary had a kid and made Diana the godmother. Diana showed up and sang at her “solo” launch and paid back or not lent her over a million dollars in 1980. If she felt as bad about Diana as her book says (which ends in 1969) why did she do all of these things afterwards. Doesn’t exactly make her look like a person with integrity. It is obvious from even her own book that the group would not have made it without Diana and the girls were not as focused. I am glad Gordy cleared it up once and for all with his I would not have signed them if it weren’t for Diana statement. I don’t think it takes anything away from the Supremes except bragging rights.
federik says:
Mary should have never changed into and worn that red dress to the Motown 25 after the girls all agreed to wear black and white. She should never have started singing lead when she knew she wasn’t supposed to. She should never have tried to call Berry down when she knew it was what Diana was supposed to do. And for those who think she had a right to call Berry down as a member of the Supremes get real. If it wasn’t Diana as Marvin Gaye said there were a ton of others who would have been given the task before Mary Wilson: Marvin himself, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, the list goes on and on. The girl is trouble and desperate and blew her shot at The Supremes reunion. Thank goodness Diana has finally had enough. She doesn’t need it. The lowest points of her career always involve this woman. It sucks for the fans but at least Diana can say she tried.
Motown Magic says:
Where did Mary get booed ? Never heard about that. Ross was heavily booed at Mary’s show at BBkings in 2000 and Mary shut it down. It was great to see them together at Motown Musical though someone close to the whole thing said Diana was totally cold to Mary and avoided communicating with her and walked in and quickly out of the after party where Mary was the center of attention. According to esteemed writer Nelson George said in his Motown book that Ross shoved Mary and later pushed her mic away at Motown 25. Mary accepted the 4 million offer and was told the train had left station. Pretty cruel. The truth is the truth. Diana needs to learn to forgive and in an interview Mary asked her to forgive her. That’s decency.
Supremes says:
Why is Mary at fault? She has been more than willing to work things out with Diana for years. Diana has refused.Mary tried to talk to her directly in 2000 about the tour and Diana refused. It was great they were at the musical together but the fact is Diana was very cold to Mary and refused to interact with her at all. Real nice !
Jim says:
I enjoyed the music of The SUPREMES.
Whether it was in the 60’s or continuing
in the 70’s.
I guess we all liked their style and they were
missed when Diana went solo.
Their music lives on and it would of been nice
to see the group together. Mary & Diana still
look good at their ages. Cindy has been ill?
Also great to see that Florence receives some
recognition.
Mary still sings and sounds good with her own
style…Also Diana.