Tracee Ellis Ross received quite the Christmas surprise at her “Candy Cane Lane” premiere when she learned of her cameo in Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” film.
The actress spoke with Variety on the carpet when she learned of her brief appearance in the film, which shows her among the crowd at one of the “Alien Superstar’s” Los Angeles shows at SoFi Stadium. In the clip, which follows another notable cameo from Cardi B, Ross is seen holding her breath as she participates in Beyoncé’s now-viral mute challenge. Ross, attended a show along with her mother, Diana Ross, who famously sang “Happy Birthday” to Beyoncé at her Sept. 4 performance.
“Do I?” Ross asked in response to the news, revealing she hadn’t seen the film yet. “I didn’t know about it!”
“I spoke to Issa Rae today and she mentioned that, but I thought she was joking!” Ross laughed. “I’m in the Beyoncé movie. That’s so exciting! I’m glad to hear it.”
But the excitement soon turned sour as Ross shared her reaction to former “Girlfriend” executive producer, Kelsey Grammer’s latest interview with Deadline, where he revealed he would “love” to reboot “Girlfriends” and somehow give it a similar treatment like the “The Game” reboot, which is available for streaming on Paramount+. He also raved about Ross’ performance as Joan on the comedy, saying he would also love to see her revisit the character.
Despite Grammer’s return as “Frasier,” Tracee Ellis Ross doesn’t seem to believe “Girlfriends” will get the same treatment — but she would jump at the chance, if offered.
Ross shared she’d be “excited” and has been saying yes to a potential reboot for 10 years, but she’s not holding her breath for a greenlight to come any time soon.
“I do not believe it’s ever gonna happen. We’ve been saying yes for 10 years, the whole cast, and it hasn’t happened. So, I don’t know. Maybe Kelsey has the special sauce,” she said. “I feel very not sure it’s going to happen.”
Joining Ross among the “Candy Cane Lane” cast as well as on the carpet for the premiere screening, which was held at Regency Theater in Westwood, CA, was Eddie Murphy. The duo portrays Chris (Murphy) and Carol (Ross) Carver.
Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross at the world premiere of “Candy Cane Lane” held at the Regency Village Theatre on November 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
John Salangsang for Variety
For Murphy, the film serves as a reunion in more than one direction. The “Beverly Hills Cop” star not only reunited with “Boomerang” director, Reginald Hudlin, over 30 years after the 1992 film was released, but he had the opportunity to become reacquainted with Ross, who he claims he first met when she was just a child at one of her mother, Diana Ross’s, birthday parties.
Ross reveals she doesn’t remember their meeting back in the day, but says the two “just clicked” once they joined each other on set. “We just really enjoyed working with each other. I enjoyed him as a person,” she says.