Diana Ross before she was famous

Before the Supremes, Diana Ross was Hudson's first African-American bus girl.

The nobody years

  1. Reconstruction of Diana Ross in 1958: Brewster-Douglass, 1958

    1958 Brewster-Douglass, 1958

    In 1958 her family moved into the Brewster-Douglass housing projects.

    Moved with her family to the Brewster-Douglass housing projects in Detroit. Source

  2. Reconstruction of Diana Ross in late 1950s: Sewing, not singing

    late 1950s Sewing, not singing

    At Cass Tech she studied millinery, pattern making, tailoring.

    Took classes in clothing design, millinery, pattern making and tailoring at Cass Technical High School. Source

  3. Reconstruction of Diana Ross in 1960: Hair for extra money

    1960 Hair for extra money

    In 1960 she did neighbours' hair for extra income.

    Was hired by Hudson's downtown Detroit store as its first African-American bus girl. Source

  4. 1960 Windsor talent contest

    The Primettes won a talent contest in Windsor, Ontario.

    Did hairdressing for her neighbours for extra income. Source

  5. 1961-1963 The no-hit Supremes

    That win led to a Motown audition; eight singles missed entirely.

    Watched eight singles in a row miss the Billboard Hot 100, earning the group the nickname the no-hit Supremes. Source

  6. 1944

    Was born in Detroit, Michigan; her birth certificate recorded Diana although her mother had named her Diane. Source

  7. 1959

    Joined the Primettes at fifteen after being introduced by Paul Williams. Source

  8. 1960

    Won a talent competition in Windsor, Ontario, with the Primettes, which led to a Motown audition. Source

  9. 1961

    Signed to Motown with the group under their new name, the Supremes. Source

  10. 1962

    Graduated from Cass Technical High School in January. Source

Reconstructions of documented moments, generated with AI. Not archive photographs, and not depictions of real people. © The Nobody Years

Sources

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