56 artsLife | SUMMER 2017 magazine named Ross its Female Entertainer of the Century. Although the award seemed premature at the time, the multifaceted artist continued to earn the accolade in the decades to come. In 1978, Ross starred as Dorothy in The Wiz, an urban reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s classic 1900 children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The all African-American cast also featured Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor. Although The Wiz wasn’t initially a commercial success, it later became a cult classic. Ross recorded “Endless Love,” her last single for Motown, in 1980. The duet with �������������� ������������������ �������� ������������ ������������ �������� ���� �������� ��������- ring Brooke Shields, received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. Shortly thereafter, RCA offered Ross an un- In 1973, Ross starred in Lady Sings the Blues, based upon the tragic life of jazz singer Billie Holiday. The film was nominated for five Oscars, including one for Ross as Best Actress in a Leading Role. album, which eventually sold more than 2 million copies, is perhaps most memorable for a cover of “Strange Fruit,” a haunting commentary about racism and lynching that Holiday recorded in 1939. Lady Sings the Blues was nominated for ��������Oscars, including Best Actress in a Leading Role for Ross. She also starred in Mahogany (1975), the soundtrack of which yielded another No. 1 hit, “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?).” In 1976, with the 20th century only slightly ��������������������������������������������������������������������Billboard
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