Tracee Ellis Ross Reflects On Not Getting Married, Prefers Younger Boyfriends, Dated Akon's Brother
Tracee Ellis Ross made candid revelations regarding her preference for younger partners and her unmarried status.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleActress Tracee Ellis Ross, best known for her roles in Girlfriends and Black-ish, is currently leading the fan discussion forums. The 53-year-old appeared on Trevor Noah's podcast What Now? in August 2026, where she criticized the mainstream television industry's past treatment of her hit sitcom, Girlfriends. Tracee even questioned if racism played a part in former host Jay Leno snubbing her and her castmates from The Tonight Show and other promotional appearances.
Tracee's fiery remarks sparked a discussion about sidelining actors on the basis of race or other discriminatory grounds. Amid that, people have been looking up her personal life, particularly her marital status and past relationships.
Tracee Ellis Ross revealed why she prefers younger partners like her ex, Abou 'Bu' Thiam
Tracee Ellis Ross' decision to remain unmarried has long been a topic of discussion. Many wondered why she chose such a path despite having been in a few relationships, the last known one with Akon's younger brother and music executive, Abou 'Bu' Thiam. Notably, Abou is way younger than Tracee, and that's what she liked. The actress revealed that she has a thing for younger guys for specific reasons.
During her appearance on IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, Tracee Ellis Ross explained that she had encountered a lot of men her age who were "steeped in toxic masculinity." As per her, they belonged to an era that encouraged that kind of mindset. The Black-ish actress said that she had been with such toxic men in the past and she would not subject herself to the same kind of experience ever again.
According to Tracee, times have changed, and men are now way more open-minded and progressive in their outlook than those in her age group. The Black Mirror star recalled feeling like a "possession" and being "controlled" by her older or same-age ex-partner. After going through a tough time, she broke free of the relationship and has since dated only younger men. Her exact words were:
"A lot of men my age are steeped in a toxic masculinity and have been raised in a culture where there is a particular way that a relationship looks. Anything that starts to smell of that for me...I did enough of it where I was controlled and felt like I was a possession or a prize. I just have no interest in it. And I will not do it again."
Tracee Ellis Ross also praised what she perceives to be an "openness" in younger men, saying, "I have long been past the age where I feel like it's my job to teach somebody or grow them up. That, I'm not interested in." Notably, her ex-boyfriend, Abou 'Bu' Thiam was nine years younger than her. They dated for about two years, from 2011 to 2013, and reportedly broke up amicably.
Following their split, Bu stated in interviews that he would always remember Tracee as his most genuine ex-girlfriend and would also be open to reconciliation with her should the circumstances be appropriate.
Tracee Ellis Ross regrets remaining unmarried in her 50s
In the same conversation, Tracee Ellis Ross noted that, despite loving being single, she also sometimes does "grieve" not having things that others of her age have, i.e., a lovely family including a husband and kids. Tracee has found peace and contentment as an unmarried woman in her 50s; however, a part of her still wonders what her life would have been like if she had been married. In her words:
"I grieve the things that I thought would be and that are not. I'm not married. I don't have children, and I think I grieve that at times."
What are your thoughts on Tracee Ellis Ross' candid revelations regarding her unmarried status and preference for younger partners? Let us know.
Photo courtesy: Tracee Ellis Ross/Instagram, X
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