Jackée Harry is never short on stories, and during her appearance on the We Playin’ Spades podcast on January 12, she pulled out one that still makes people lean in.
While sitting at the card table with Kym Whitley, Harry shared a memorable run-in with none other than Diana Ross—and as often happens in situations involving legendary divas, it involved shade.
The moment dates back to Oprah Winfrey’s star-studded Legends Ball, a night celebrating Black excellence across generations. Harry said she was mid-conversation with Mariah Carey when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. According to Harry, the comment that followed was brief and biting.
“Move. Just move… with that tacky dress on!” Harry recalled being told.
Harry didn’t name names at first, but she made it clear the voice belonged to Ross. The Days of Our Lives star said she immediately stepped aside, describing her reaction as more of a quick scurry than a clapback. While the exchange was short, Harry admitted it stuck with her.
“She made me feel bad,” Harry said on the podcast, explaining that the moment caught her off guard.
Years later, the story picked up an unexpected epilogue. Harry joked that she eventually saw Ross wearing what appeared to be the very same dress—this time at the Met Gala. The coincidence gave Harry a new way to laugh about the situation, even if the original comment still carried some sting.
The story came up after podcast host Nick Cannon playfully asked what would happen if he and his co-host lost their spades game to Harry and Whitley.
Harry’s answer? She jokingly told Cannon she wanted him to “cuss out” Ross on her behalf.
Still, Harry acknowledged that revisiting the moment could ruffle a few famous feathers. She joked that she might get into “a little trouble” with Ross’ daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, noting that she’s famously protective of her mother.