Diana Ross Says Motherhood Defines Her

Monday, November 22nd 2004, 10:08 am

By: News On 6

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ Diana Ross looked every inch the diva as she pulled up to Musictech College in a black stretch limo and got out wrapped in a thick fur coat and wearing dark sunglasses. Striding across a specially rented red carpet leading to the school door, Ross beamed as she accepted a bouquet of white roses and signed record albums held out for her autograph.

But inside the small music conservatory, where a new full scholarship was named in her honor Saturday, Ross told an audience of more than 100 students that it's not divadom that defines her _ it's motherhood.

``I'm more a mom than I am a celebrity, even though I know you know me as a celebrity. I'm a mother first,'' she said.

Ross, who has had her ups and downs in nearly 40 years in the music business, said she has always believed in herself.

``I actually don't remember ever not believing in myself,'' said Ross, 60. ``I was brought up in the Brewster projects in Detroit and I always knew that there was a way out.''