Diana Ross: The Art of the Diva

LOS ANGELES — “I want to give Donald Trump a run for his money,” Diana Ross teased the throng of media assembled mid-Thursday at the MAC flagship on Robertson Boulevard at a personal appearance for her new gig with the cosmetics line. “You know [how] he did the art of the deal? I’m doing the art of the diva.”

Ms. Ross certainly put the capital “D” in diva, and over the years, she has embodied everything that is fabulous and notorious about the label. The second star in the MAC Beauty Icon series, Ross arrived with MAC president John Demsey by stretch limo, draped in a chartreuse floral Versace dress, a matching faux-fur chub and stilettos.

When asked about the designer of her dress, she laughingly tossed off: “I don’t know, I just gave John the receipt.”

But she earned it, according to Demsey, having enthusiastically collaborated on every aspect of the collection — particularly insisting on the pinks of the blushes and lip colors, the special-edition pink-chrome cases and pink hair and handle brushes. “There are many, many tricks and tips she taught us,” Demsey said. Asked about her personal beauty icon, she responded: “It’s never been a celebrity. It was my mom.”

“I’ve always wanted to do a line of makeup,” Ross continued. So, too, a beauty book, which she mentioned several times throughout the 20-minute visit.

“I’ve had such a wonderful, fabulous career,” she purred. “I have five extraordinary children. I’ve traveled the world, married billionaire men, met very interesting people. I think I was destined to be involved with beautiful things like makeup.”