Unexpected Cancellation of Diana Ross's Performance on Star of the Seas
Diana Ross, the legendary singer and cultural icon, has left many fans and organizers "disappointed" after she unexpectedly withdrew from a planned performance on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas cruise ship. The 81-year-old entertainer was set to headline a three-day showcase cruise beginning August 20, but her absence has raised questions and concerns among attendees.
As the ship’s “godmother,” Diana had been scheduled to take part in a special naming ceremony. However, no official explanation for her withdrawal has been provided. Her spokesperson released a brief statement to People, saying, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Diana Ross will be unable to appear.” This vague response has left fans and industry insiders speculating about the reason behind her decision.
The Star of the Seas is one of the most anticipated cruise launches of the year, departing from Port Canaveral in Florida and heading to Perfect Day at CocoBay in the Bahamas. It marks a major milestone for Royal Caribbean, as it is the first of the company’s new Icon Class ships, designed to offer an innovative and luxurious vacation experience.
Royal Caribbean expressed its disappointment in a statement, saying: “We are disappointed that Diana Ross is unable to join us to be godmother of Star of the Seas.” The company also mentioned that they plan to announce a “new godmother” of the ship “soon.”
Diana had previously shared her excitement about the opportunity when the news of her headlining performance was announced in June. In a press release, she said, “I am truly honored to join the Royal Caribbean family. Having spent years creating beautiful music and memories and bringing people together from all over the world, this feels like a perfect continuation of my journey as godmother of Star of the Seas.”
Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean, added that the company was thrilled to have “a true icon” debut the Star of the Seas. He stated, “We are thrilled to have Diana Ross join us for the debut of Star of the Seas, the next bold vacation in our revolutionary Icon Class designed to encompass the best a vacation experience can offer.”
Despite her cancellation, Diana Ross will still kick off her U.S. tour, Beautiful Love, as planned on August 16 in Saratoga, California. She recently shared details of the tour on Instagram, posting a list of stops across the country, including performances in St. Louis, Atlantic City, Staten Island, and Palm Springs, with the final show scheduled for December 13.
In a recent interview, Diana opened up about how her passion for performing keeps her energized and grounded. “The love of what I do keeps me grounded, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually,” she told People. She also reflected on her positive outlook, saying, “When you can't find the sunshine, be the sunshine. I have been very blessed in my life. I love what I do. I love my family. I love my life. I'm a happy person.”
While the cancellation of her appearance on the Star of the Seas may have been unexpected, Diana continues to inspire with her resilience and dedication to her craft. Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting her upcoming tour and hoping to see her shine on stage once again.
