Tracee Ellis Ross doesn't just enter a room; she vibrates into it. If you’ve spent any time on Instagram in the last few years, you’ve probably seen her. Maybe she’s in a high-fashion gown, or maybe she’s in a bikini by a pool in Jamaica, but she’s almost certainly moving. When we talk about tracee ellis ross twerking, we aren't just talking about a celebrity trying to go viral. We are talking about a 53-year-old woman reclaiming the narrative of aging through pure, unadulterated movement.
Honestly, it’s refreshing. In a world where every celebrity post feels curated by a board of directors, Ross feels like that one auntie who starts the soul train line at the family reunion.
She dances in her kitchen while making pasta. She dances in outdoor showers. She even recreated her mother Diana Ross's iconic 1981 "Work That Body" video, proving that the rhythm is literally in her DNA. But there is a specific kind of "Tracee dance" that catches everyone’s attention—the kind where she lets loose, drops low, and reminds everyone that she’s got moves.
Why the Internet Can't Stop Watching Tracee Ellis Ross Twerking
It usually starts with a song. Maybe it’s Drake’s "Nice for What" (she was in the video, after all) or a dancehall track like "One Drop." Ross has this way of committing to the bit. When she does a "subtle twerk" or a body roll, it doesn't feel performative in the "look at me" sense. It feels like she’s actually having the time of her life.
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Take her vacation videos, for instance.
Back in 2023, a clip went viral of her in Jamaica, learning the "One Drop" dance. She was quizzed on what the move was called, and with that signature Ross enthusiasm, she shouted, "It’s the one drop ‘cause it’s one and then you drop!" as she demonstrated the move again. People loved it. Not just because she was doing the dance, but because she was doing it with such genuine curiosity and respect for the culture.
The "Kitchen Dance" Phenomenon
You’ve probably seen the kitchen videos. They’re legendary.
In one particular clip that lived on everyone's Reels for months, she’s jamming out to Silk Sonic’s "Leave the Door Open" while prepping dinner. She shimmies, she jumps, and yes, there’s that moment of tracee ellis ross twerking that sends the comments section into a frenzy.
- "It’s the subtle twerk and the wooden spoon mic for me," one fan wrote.
- Another added, "We only dance when food is on the scene."
It’s this relatability that makes it work. She’s a Golden Globe winner and fashion icon, but she’s also a woman who uses a wooden spoon as a microphone.
The Philosophy Behind the Movement
Ross has been very vocal about why she shares these moments. It isn't just about the "thirst trap" (though she’s joked with Lilly Singh about the secret to her "fire selfies" being lighting and a little bit of vanity). It’s about joy as a form of resistance.
Aging in Hollywood is usually treated like a tragedy. Ross treats it like a victory lap.
When she turned 50, she posted a video of herself dancing in a floral bikini. She was honest, though. She stopped the dance for a second to tell her followers, "I just want you to know I just bent my knee, just bent it, and it hurt... which is exactly what happens when I wake up in the morning now." She joked that she wakes up "hot as ever," but feels like someone beat her up while she was sleeping.
That honesty is why her dance videos—and specifically when she gets down and does things like twerking—resonate so deeply. She isn't trying to look 20. She’s showing you what 50+ looks like when you actually like yourself.
Breaking Down the AMA Opening
If you want to see her "pro" dance side, look back at her hosting the American Music Awards in 2018. She didn't just walk out and tell jokes. She performed an entire medley with twenty female backup dancers.
She did choreography to Cardi B, Beyonce, and Bruno Mars. She even threw in some booty-shaking to Aretha Franklin's "Respect." After the performance, she comically claimed she "wasn't a dancer," but anyone with eyes could see she had the technique. She has this hybrid style: part classically trained (she’s a fan of the Tracy Anderson Method), part "club-in-the-basement" energy.
The Cultural Impact of Celebrity Joy
There’s a deeper layer to tracee ellis ross twerking than just entertainment. For Black women especially, seeing a high-profile figure like Ross celebrate her body so publicly and playfully is a big deal.
Historically, the way Black women's bodies are viewed when they dance has been heavily scrutinized or over-sexualized. Ross takes the power back by making it goofy. By making it about her own pleasure. She’s not dancing for a male gaze; she’s dancing because the beat dropped and she’s got a great outfit on.
She often uses the hashtag #JoyIsAnInsideJob.
It’s a reminder that the external movements—the twerking, the shimmies, the handstands in the pool—are just the physical manifestations of a woman who has done the work to be comfortable in her own skin.
How to Channel Your Inner Tracee
If you’re looking at these videos and thinking, "I wish I had that much fun," you basically just need to follow the Ross playbook. It’s not about being a "good" dancer. Honestly, half the time, Tracee is just flailing her arms and laughing.
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- Pick the right soundtrack. She loves everything from 90s R&B to modern Dancehall.
- Forget the audience. Even though she’s posting for millions, she often looks like she’s the only person in the room.
- Embrace the "Ouch." Like she said, your knees might click. Your back might hurt. Do it anyway.
- Use props. A wooden spoon, a pair of sunglasses, or a glass of wine can elevate any kitchen dance session.
Tracee Ellis Ross has turned the simple act of dancing into a brand of self-love. Whether she’s doing a full-out routine on an awards stage or a quick twerk in her pajamas, she’s teaching us that life is too short to stand still.
Actionable Next Steps:
To capture the same energy, start by curating a "Joy Playlist" of songs that make it impossible for you to sit still. Next time you're doing a mundane task like folding laundry or cooking, put it on and move for just three minutes. Don't worry about how it looks—just focus on how it feels to let go of the day's stress through movement.