Tracee Ellis Ross Questions If Racism Led To ‘Girlfriends’ Being Overlooked Despite Strong Ratings

Tracee Ellis Ross Questions If Racism Led To ‘Girlfriends’ Being Overlooked Despite Strong Ratings

Tracee Ellis Ross is reflecting on the lack of mainstream recognition she and Girlfriends received during the hit sitcom’s run — and questioning whether racism played a role.

While discussing her experience on the series, Tracee Ellis Ross recalled never being invited onto a late-night show despite starring as Joan Clayton on Girlfriends. She said that when Jay Leno’s show was approached about booking her, the response was allegedly, “We love Tracee. Call us when she gets something.” Ross remembered being confused by the response, saying, “I was like, ‘Get what? What else do you have to get?’”

Ross also compared the recognition Girlfriends received to Monk, recalling that the Tony Shalhoub-led series had significantly fewer viewers at the time. “I remember specifically the show Monk. That show had a quarter of our viewership,” she said. Seeing its star receive opportunities she wasn’t getting left her questioning the reason for the disparity. “I remember seeing him on the show and I was so confused. Is it viewership?” she recalled, adding, “The only thing you can boil it down to, you’re like, ‘Is it just racism?’”

The actress said the disparity extended beyond late-night television and into major industry awards. Despite Girlfriends running for eight seasons, Ross said, “Never went to the Emmys.” She added that she didn’t attend the ceremony until years later, when she starred on another hit series: “The first time I went to the Emmys was on black-ish.”

Girlfriends, which premiered in 2000, became a defining sitcom for Black women and followed Joan and her close-knit group of friends as they navigated careers, relationships and adulthood. More than two decades later, the series continues to maintain a loyal fanbase and remains a major part of Ross’ television legacy.