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Tracee Ellis Ross Shares A Powerful Message Of Self-Acceptance

The 'Black-Ish' star spoke about perfection at the Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon.
Zeba Blay
By 

Senior Culture Writer, HuffPost

Tracee Ellis Ross onstage during the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood awards luncheon.
Tracee Ellis Ross onstage during the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood awards luncheon.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images

Tracee Ellis Ross shared a message of self-acceptance at Thursday's Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, where she was honored with the Fierce & Fearless award.

In her acceptance speech, the "Black-ish" star revealed that just days before, she had gotten sick and lost her voice, and was almost unable to attend the event.

“I wasn't supposed to be here,” Ross said. “Two days ago I didn’t have a voice; I went to work as a silent actress. But [not having a voice] helped me learn that I am not the sound of my voice. I am me and I could be the same me without my voice.”

Ross then encouraged the women in the audience to embrace the idea that "perfect is not the goal."

“We should remind ourselves in daily life to make space for selfhood,” the actress added. "Boobs don't belong up here, they belong down here. This is where God put them. I am human. I listen to fear and lean into it. I don't always feel fierce but I do feel human."

Among attendees at the star-studded event iwere Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Issa Rae and Chris Rock.

View photos from the event below.

Rich Polk via Getty Images
Oprah Winfrey (C) and actress Holly Robinson (R) attend the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood awards luncheon.
Imeh Akpanudosen via Getty Images
Actress Tika Sumpter (L) and guest.
Imeh Akpanudosen via Getty Images
(L-R) Singer Zendaya, guest, actress Keke Palmer, and Multicultural Communications Manager at Lincoln Motor Company Raj Register.
Rich Polk via Getty Images
Actresses Kym Whitley (center) and Yvette Nicole Brown (R).
Rich Polk via Getty Images
(L-R) TV personalities Bevy Smith and Shaun Robinson and guest.
Rich Polk via Getty Images
Fashion stylist Ty Hunter (R).
Rich Polk via Getty Images
Actress Rhonda Ross Kendrick.
Rich Polk via Getty Images
(L-R) Actress Tika Sumpter, actress Holly Robinson, and author Iyanla Vanzant.
Jesse Grant via Getty Images
(L-R) Rhonda Ross Kendrick, Tracee Ellis Ross, and SVP, Drama Development at ABC Studios Channing Dungey.
Rich Polk via Getty Images
Actress Angela Robinson (L) and Oprah Winfrey.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Writer/producer Shonda Rhimes.
Rich Polk via Getty Images
(L-R) Actors Holly Robinson, Boris Kodjoe, and Nicole Ari Parker.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Issa Rae.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Meagan Good.
Imeh Akpanudosen via Getty Images
Singer Kelly Rowland (L) and host Lala Anthony.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Vicky Jeudy.
Imeh Akpanudosen via Getty Images
Actresses Garcelle Beauvais (L) and Keke Palmer.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Fashion blogger Claire Sulmers.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
TV personality Demetria Lucas D'Oyley.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress/singer Zendaya.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Anika Noni Rose.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Tia Mowry.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Lena Waithe.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Aja Naomi King.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Amber Riley.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Serayah McNeill.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Singer Erica Campbell.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Tika Sumpter.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actress Wendy Raquel Robinson.
Earl Gibson III via Getty Images
Actor Nate Parker.

Before You Go

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