Diana Ross Honored at the 2017 AMAs With a Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations, Diana Ross! The 73-year-old music icon was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 AMAs on Sunday, Nov. 19. “What do you get when you cross a chart-topping singer, breathtaking beauty, captivating actress, trailblazing style icon, record-breaking pioneer, mesmerizing performer, legendary megastar, international superstar, and an all-around boss? Everybody, you get my mom, Miss Diana Ross,” Diana’s son Evan said of his mother before she took the stage to perform a medley of her greatest hits.

“Mom, with no apology and in all of your power. With integrity, grace, and generosity, you blazed a way. Not just for us, your children, not just for women, not just for black folk, not just for singers or performers or entrepreneurs who want to control their own destiny, but for all of us! We are so proud to present you with the American Music Award for Lifetime Achievements,” Diana’s daughter Rhonda told the audience as the singer’s family arrived on-stage.

“This is all about love. This says it all, this is my family, and I’m sending it out there to all of you, each and every one of you of our global family. And I really, really love being here and I feel so humbled by this. I love you so very much and I think you know that I really, really love you so much. And I will hold on to that beautiful honor. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Diana said after accepting her award.

Diana and her family on the AMAs red carpet.

Prior to her epic performance, Diana walked the red carpet with her five children, Rhonda, 46, Tracee Ellis Ross, 45, Chudney Ross, 42, Ross Naess, 30, and Evan, 29. “She’s a bit of an international treasure in my opinion. I’m excited that a younger generation gets to witness that, even just through the television screen. Also I think it’s a really extraordinary thing to honor somebody who’s had such an everlasting career, whose music has touched lives in such a poignant and special way. Music reaches into your heart, and my mom’s voice has been a part of people’s lives for a long time,” Tracee, who hosted the 2017 AMAs, told People of her famous mother.