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Wow! Tracee Ellis Ross is looking stunnng on the cover of SHAPE’s November issue, where she talks all about how she has mastered the art of living juicy. What a novel concept.

Tracee Ellis Ross covers Shape Magazine on newsstands October 16

Source: Photographed by Micaiah Carter / Shape Magazine on sale October 16th

Tracee actually gives out the product details responsible for her glow — but we were probably most interested in learning about that juicy living she’s devoted to. Check out some excerpts from SHAPE and enjoy the Micaiah Carter photos below:

On self-love and solo date nights: “I am happily single, though that doesn’t mean I am not open to and don’t want a relationship. But in my wonderful and robust experience of being single, I have learned to have a productive relationship with loneliness and an intensely juicy relationship with my joyful solitude— I really enjoy my company. For example, one of the things I loved to do pre-pandemic is put on something cute and go for dinner and have a beautiful meal and a glass of wine. Well, can’t do that. But you know what? I can do that at home. I make a beautiful plate. I set it out and have a glorious meal. I make my bed every morning. One of the things that’s been lovely to discover is how I care for myself and how I actively love myself. And I believe that love is an action: You get back what you put in.”

Tracee Ellis Ross covers Shape Magazine on newsstands October 16

Source: Photographed by Micaiah Carter / Shape Magazine on sale October 16th

Hit the flip for more from the interview.

Tracee also gives some insight into her fashion sense…

Tracee Ellis Ross covers Shape Magazine on newsstands October 16

Source: Photographed by Micaiah Carter / Shape Magazine on sale October 16th

On clothing as creative expression and identity: “Clothing has been an integral part of my identity since I was young. There are pictures of me dressing up in my mom’s clothes. I was a stylist and a fashion editor [before acting]. And for a while, clothing became my armor. It was a way that I protected myself and created a barrier between me and the way people might misinterpret me. Or it was something I used in response to people’s reaction about race and thinking less of me. I would present my importance through my clothing.”

On why representation is at the heart of her work:

Tracee Ellis Ross covers Shape Magazine on newsstands October 16

Source: Photographed by Micaiah Carter / Shape Magazine on sale October 16th

“I think of how important television has been in shaping my own identity, in shaping what I saw as possible. I could take a piece of Wonder Woman, a piece of the Bionic Woman, see Cagney and Lacey fighting crime and Lucille Ball being both glamorous and funny. When I think about Bow Johnson, the handful of other projects that I’m executive producing, and even Pattern [her labor-of-love hair-care line], I use the opportunity to consider: How can I continue to expand anyone’s understanding of who they could be?”

On her approach to bliss:

Tracee Ellis Ross covers Shape Magazine on newsstands October 16

Source: Photographed by Micaiah Carter / Shape Magazine on sale October 16th

“I used to spend so much time trying to be perfect, to get it perfect. But that’s not realistic. Bad feelings come up. There was an element of risk to try something different— to try on the idea of: What if the universe is conspiring for good? Not necessarily mine, but what if I don’t have the full picture here? What if this is all OK? And that was the start of a turning point. If you keep putting good stuff in your cup, eventually it overflows. And you’ll be like, ‘Oh, I need a new container.’ ”

Tracee is a wise woman! This juicy living is quite the philosophy.

SHAPE’s November issue goes on sale October 16th.

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