Tracee Ellis Ross targeted in fake rear end photo controversy at age 52 [PHOTO]

Tracee Ellis Ross Trended Due To Her Timeless Beauty and Great Figure, It Just Wasn’t Her

A side-by-side image recently circulated on X (formerly Twitter) purports to show actress Tracee Ellis Ross at 52 years old, featuring a close-up photo on the left and a hypersexualized rear-view image on the right. The post’s caption reads simply: “Tracee Ellis Ross at 52 years old,” but the implications have caused waves online. The viral tweet has racked up over 645,000 views, 17,000 likes, 853 reposts, 343 quotes, and 653 replies—but not for the reasons you might think.

Many users rushed to praise Ross for her apparent physique and “ageless” beauty. However, fact-checkers and sharp-eyed followers quickly pointed out that the right-side image is a digital fake. The photo doesn’t show Ross at all. Instead, it’s actually a heavily edited shot of Instagram model Lady Tarzan, with Ross’s face superimposed.

Fact Watch Africa Confirms: The Image Is Fake

Fact-checking organization @FactWatchAfrica confirmed shortly after the image began trending that the photo is manipulated. They published side-by-side comparisons that show the original image featuring Lady Tarzan, a fitness model and influencer known for her curvy physique. The viral photo swapped Tracee Ellis Ross’s face onto Lady Tarzan’s body to create a false narrative around Ross’s appearance at 52.

This isn’t the first time Tracee Ellis Ross has been at the center of manipulated imagery. In fact, similar edits have appeared online as far back as 2020. Back then, photos of Ross were enhanced to stir up online conversation about beauty standards and aging. However, the viral nature of this latest image highlights how easily misinformation can spread under the guise of admiration.

Tracee Ellis Ross: A Real Look at 52

Born October 29, 1972, Tracee Ellis Ross has spent decades in the spotlight. She is known for her roles in “Girlfriends,” “Black-ish,” and most recently, the Roku docuseries Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross, which premiered earlier this month. The travel-focused series features Ross exploring the world on her own terms. Therefore, capturing her natural appearance, reflective mindset, and empowering outlook.

In this series, Ross appears toned and athletic, a far cry from the exaggerated and hypersexualized portrayal seen in the altered image. More importantly, the show emphasizes her authenticity and confidence. Thus, offering a powerful contrast to the digitally fabricated version being circulated.

The Bigger Picture: Image Manipulation and Ageism

This latest incident is a prime example of the growing issue of celebrity image manipulation online. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Digital Media & Policy found that a staggering 68% of celebrity images circulating online are digitally altered. These edits are often subtle, like smoothing skin or brightening eyes. However, some, like the image of Ross, are outright deceptive.

Moreover, the American Psychological Association published research in 2021 indicating that manipulated celebrity imagery can negatively impact public perception. Their findings showed that 45% of viewers reported confusion or altered expectations about what natural aging should look like. Though, particularly for women in entertainment.

When images like these go viral, they don’t just distort reality—they influence how people think about beauty, health, and aging. For Ross, who has publicly advocated for self-love and authenticity, the fake image undermines her message and reinforces unhealthy standards.

No Public Response Yet, But Her Work Speaks Volumes

As of this afternoon, neither Tracee Ellis Ross nor her representatives have issued a public statement about the fake photo. However, Ross has long spoken out against unrealistic beauty standards, particularly those that target women of color.

Her public persona and creative work often focus on empowerment. In interviews and on social media, Ross regularly encourages fans to embrace themselves as they are. Her recent docuseries also showcases this ethos, emphasizing solo exploration, aging gracefully, and building inner confidence.

Social Media Reactions: Polarized and Passionate

The reaction on X has been a mix of shock, thirst, skepticism, and outright ridicule. Based on a collection of over 100 posts from quotes, replies, and related threads, four main types of responses have emerged:

1. Skeptics and Debunkers (~40%)

These users quickly identified the image as fake and called out those who believed it. Many cited @FactWatchAfrica’s post and reverse image searches to validate their claims.

• “The amount of dumbasses… that can’t tell this clearly is photoshopped is alarming” — @Cam_Unstoppable
• “AI scary because the mfs really can’t tell in the replies” — @FYMITSQ

2. Admirers and Thirst Comments (~35%)

Even with evidence that the image is fake, many users responded as if it were real, praising Ross’s (fake) physique.

• “I’ll knock the dust off that” — @PlayoffLucro
• “Holy “
• “Golly 🥴 why is she single ?”

3. Critics and Negative Comments (~15%)

Some users took the opportunity to shame the image or Ross herself, blending misogyny and ageism.

• “She looks silly. Act your age, not your shoe size.”
• “This at 52 is CRAZY”

4. Humor and Memes (~10%)

Some users simply made jokes or used the moment for light-hearted content.

• “What Pimp Juice say to begin that one song”
• “All that & she dirty smh”

Interestingly, once the image was officially debunked, many users turned their criticism toward the original poster, @DailyLoud, accusing them of consistently sharing misinformation for engagement.

Why This Matters

This viral moment reveals far more than a simple photo swap. It speaks to the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a digital world driven by algorithms and clicks. Celebrities like Tracee Ellis Ross, who advocate for truth and empowerment, can quickly become targets of viral manipulation that undercuts their values.

At the same time, the backlash—especially from skeptics and supporters who defended Ross—demonstrates that media literacy is slowly growing. As manipulated images become more sophisticated, so too does the public’s ability to identify and call them out.

For fans who want to engage with the real Tracee Ellis Ross, her docuseries Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross offers an unfiltered look at her life and mindset—a much better alternative to trusting whatever’s trending on X.

Final Thoughts

This viral photo, though rooted in falsehood, has reopened important conversations around digital manipulation, beauty expectations, and ageism. While Tracee Ellis Ross has remained silent, her presence in media and her work continue to stand as a rebuttal to misinformation.

When social media feeds are flooded with hyper-edited fantasy, it becomes more crucial than ever to seek truth—and support those who live it.