Who was Tracee Ellis Ross ex-boyfriend Abou Thiam? All about Kanye West manager as actress reveals preference for younger men 

Tracee Ellis Ross, who has had major roles on shows like Girlfriends and Black-ish, has always been tight-lipped about her personal life. The one standout instance of her being open about her private life was when she dated a music executive, Abou “Bu” Thiam, from 2011 to 2013.

They were a couple for about two years, and they were so low-profile that they seldom made public appearances or got any media attention during their time together.

While the specifics of their early relationship stages are not public knowledge, the fact that they were in a relationship was confirmed by Thiam’s music career and some of Ross’ acting projects.

Thiam, in subsequent interviews, said that his and Ross’ professions, which were so pressing, brought about some notable aspects of their relationship. Their break-up, they later revealed, was caused by both of them being very busy due to work obligations as the major factor.

Who is Abou Thiam?

Abou Thiam is a renowned music executive of American descent who was born in New Jersey on March 25, 1982. He has always been at the forefront of the music world, and the history he made when he became the Vice President of A&R at Def Jam Records at only 28 has now gone down in the books.

Thiam was not only the co-CEO of Konvict Muzik, the label that he and Akon co-founded, but he also worked closely on his brother Akon's first multi-platinum album, Trouble.

He has been involved in tons of collaboration projects with known artists over the years; some of the notable names include Rihanna, T-Pain, and Chris Brown. One of his most outstanding works was when he took on the role of an executive producer in Watch the Throne, the collaborative effort of Jay-Z and Kanye West in 2011.

Thiam has also built a strong following in the online community, with over 200,000 fans on Instagram, where he not only shows his professional life but also his love for music with the public.

The timeline of Ross and Thiam’s relationship

Tracee Ellis Ross and Abou Thiam dated from 2011 to 2013. The relationship was almost unknown to the public during that period, but it finally came into public view. Thiam shared their deep connection in an interview on The Breakfast Club.

In a 2016 interview on The Breakfast Club, Thiam reflected on the seriousness of their relationship, where he went as far as to say:

“Yeah, I was in love for sho.’… Me and Tracee gon’ be lovers forever, man. You know what I’m saying? Like, I really do believe that. Me and her have this genuine, unconditional relationship.”

According to him, the main reason why they broke up was not the absence of love but rather respect for Ross and her goals:

“I believe that being with somebody is… it’s like a real job. It’s a real responsibility. And she’s in a place in her career that if I can’t give her all of me, I don’t wanna waste her time… So why not give her the opportunity to find somebody else that can?”

The split between the two has not been negative, Thiam says that he and Ross have been bonded even after the breakup.

Ross reflects on relationships and what she wants now

Ross, who is now 51, has been a consistent promoter of women who have chosen singlehood, self-love, and autonomy. However, in recent interviews, she has been implying that she is open to love and maybe even dating younger guys.

In a cover story for Byrdie in 2024, Ross revealed that she was looking forward to a new chapter in her life:

“I am dreaming about partnership and what that might be. I want something that will be additive to [my life]. I’m pretty much a unicorn, and I’m looking for another unicorn.”

In addition, she also said that she is very focused on being able to date with a purpose:

“One of the things I learned about myself early on is that I manifest quickly. So, I am very specific about my words and what I want.”

Ross also made an appearance on Michelle Obama's The Light Podcast, where she delved into her dating experiences and openly disclosed the reasons behind her preference for dating younger men, stating that it wasn't a matter of seeking youth or fame. She added that she was protecting herself from the toxicity that comes with men of her generation.

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“But a lot of men my age are steeped in a toxic masculinity and have been raised in a culture where there is a particular way that a relationship looks,” Ross said. “Anything that starts to smell of that, for me… I did enough of it where I was controlled and felt like I was a possession—or a prize. And I have no interest in it. I will not do it again. I’m sorry. No.”

Abou Thiam and Tracee Ellis Ross dated when they were at their busiest and most promising in their careers. Although their time was not seen much in public, they have publicly confirmed that they were in a relationship.

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