Diana Ross: Jamaica Funk, That's What It Is

Michael Jackson isn't the only one singing 'Dirty Diana.' The folks of the beautiful island of Jamaica are singing the same tune about Diana Ross, who showed locals what she really thought of them – during her main attraction headlining gig of the "2008 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival." And in true-to-life form, the Caribbean natives showed her what they thought of her too. Throngs of audience members, estimated at 40,000, heckled and booed the Motown diva throughout her hour-long set last night at the Acquaduct Rose Hall in Montego Bay. "Jamaica is one of the toughest crowds," a tourism official was overhead saying in a gated V.I.P. section located to the left of the stage, as the boos grew louder and louder through Ross' set. What was the beef? Well, "to honor Miss Ross' wishes," unscrupulous concert promoters shut off gargantuan-sized television monitors, which were broadcast at every other concert performance throughout the three-day event -- believed to be the largest staging of the festival.No one could've imagined the true meaning of what the "wish" would entail, when they first heard the announcement there would be no videotaping Ross' set. Folks located in the nether regions of the venue (which is the size of soccer/football field) couldn't see any of the aging diva's set from any vantage point. For decades, the Grammy Award-less chanteuse has been known to put on one-hell-of-a show replete with ostentatious costume changes and a litany of music that was once considered the soundtrack of America. Too bad most couldn't hear the mucho-maned singer bellowing out old Supremes hits like 'My World is Empty Without You,' 'You Can't Hurry Love' 'Baby Love ' and maneuver through solo material such as 'Upside Down,' 'The Boss' and 'Love Hangover,' which appeared – at closer inspection – to be electronically enhanced. Ross' children Chudney Lane Silberstein, Tracee Ellis and Evan, who sat on the side of the stage to offer encouragement and emotional support to their beloved mom, seemed visibly shaken during the booing, and exited the stage (security guards escorting them to their long black stretch limousine) without speaking to stagehands as their mother sang her signature 'Mahogany/Ain't No Mountain High Enough' medley. In true diva form, Ross went out on a high note – with her updated version of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive.' The way the island locals seemed to feel she can do just that – without them. Festival spokesperson Carlette DeLeon issued a statement this afternoon admitting that "the much anticipated performance of Diana Ross on Saturday proved somewhat disappointing to many patrons who expected a very interactive set." "Miss Ross' request to have a restricted display of her performance however, inconvenienced patrons who were left feeling distanced from the stage and her performance," she continued. SOURCE OF THIS STORY