Pop icon Diana Ross has hit out at Hollywood actress HALLE BERRY - because she didn't thank her during her MONSTER'S BALL OSCAR acceptance speech in 2002.

The 60-year-old STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE singer - who has starred in movies including MAHOGANY and THE WIZ - is upset Berry didn't draw attention to her efforts in paving the way for black actresses.

She says, "HALLE BERRY stood up there and thanked everybody else but never said DIANA ROSS.

"I was nominated for an ACADEMY AWARD for Lady Sings the Blues. If it hadn't been for what I did, maybe she wouldn't have been standing there getting an Oscar.

"Not that she had to say anything, but just a little reminder."

During Berry's emotional acceptance speech she said, "This moment is for DOROTHY DANDRIDGE, LENA HORNE, Diahann Carroll.

"It's for the women that stand beside me - Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica A Fox and it's for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened."

Diana, who celebrates her 60th birthday today (26MAR04), was said to have taken some bad advice about her film career which was halted by poor performances back in the 70's.

26/03/2004 20:07