Evan Ross inspired by famous mum and wife for new single
He may have rich and famous parents but US singer-actor Evan Ross does not depend on them
Evan Ross was born with a silver spoon in his mouth - his mother is legendary singer Diana Ross (below) and father the late wealthy businessman Arne Naess Jr.
But a surprisingly thoughtful and mature young man walked into the boardroom of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in Los Angeles and talked about not having his career handed to him despite his privileged background.
"I think the part that becomes hard is that a lot of times... people don't feel like they can go on that journey with you because your life has been so different.
"But my life hasn't been that different. I think we all go through tough childhoods and hard times no matter what you deal with, whether it's money or not," the 26-year-old US actor-singer told M.
And Diana Ross the superstar is very different from Diana Ross the mum, according to him.
"My mum is mum and now when I look back, for her to juggle both those lives is really incredible," he said.
"I remember when the Concorde (a supersonic passenger jet) was around and she would fly on it to London and do a show and then fly back the same night and take us to school in the morning.
"So we never really felt like she wasn't there. And she still cooks for us."
The best professional advice she has given him?
"She just said, 'Trust yourself. There's something great about what you have, and once you trust yourself and let that be that, it will be amazing'."
With his recent marriage to US singer Ashlee Simpson, what inspires Ross right now, not surprisingly, is love.
The couple, who started dating in 2013, are expecting their first child, a girl.
His new single, How To Live Alone featuring rapper T.I., is inspired by his 30-year-old wife. His wife and mother make cameos in the music video.
"I don't think a lot of young artists my age are talking about that. They talk about going out and meeting as many girls as possible or staying out all night, drinking and partying.
"I would not be inspired to write something that isn't where I am at, and I am in such a good place and I want to give that place to other people."
Ross was in high school when he started his acting career, appearing in films like ATL, Life Support and Pride and the TV series 90210.
Surprisingly, singing came later.
"I think a lot of times when you are young, you don't really have a story to tell. It's not the right time to actually be singing and showing the world yourself.
"So it was good that movies started first."
HUNGER GAMES ROLE
His most high-profile role to date is Messalla, who was part of the TV crew that tags along with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), in 2014's The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1.
Ross will reprise the role for Part 2, opening here on Nov 19.
"For the next Mockingjay, there's a lot of cool action and we had to get fit. We were in trenches in water, with weapons above our heads," he said.
But from the way he gushes about his personal life, Ross' most important role seems to be that of doting husband and father-to-be.
His wedding last August, planned by his 71-year-old mother, and held at her estate in Connecticut, was a grand affair.
He recalled: "She told me she wasn't going to sing and she was like, 'Stop telling people I might sing. I am marrying you guys, but that's it.'
"And then while the party was happening, all of a sudden I could hear the music change to (her song) Endless Love and then I just heard her voice and it was crazy and it was amazing and I wasn't expecting it."
Ross and Simpson's honeymoon was in Bali - where they will spend their first anniversary too - and there was a special reason to pick that destination.
"We were supposed to go see my dad, before he passed away (in a climbing accident in 2004), in Bali.
"So that was why I chose to go there after the wedding because it was a place he loved."
Ross has had some practice being a father to Bronx, Simpson's seven-year-old son with her ex-husband Pete Wentz, the bassist of US rock band Fall Out Boy.
But he is eagerly anticipating the arrival of his daughter.
"I want to see her face. I keep having dreams of what she looks like.
"I know that just like my mum did with us - she put us first - I am going to put her first."
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