Tracee Ellis Ross Redefines Solo Travel on Screen
Tracee Ellis Ross has done it again. With her Roku Originals series Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross, the award-winning actress, entrepreneur, and style icon is reshaping how we think about travel, independence, and joy.
The show, which quickly became Roku’s most-watched unscripted original, takes viewers to Morocco, Mexico, and Spain. But it’s more than a highlight reel of glamorous destinations—it’s Tracee at her most transparent, reminding us that solo travel is as much an internal journey as it is an external one.
Joy and Loneliness on the Road
Most travel shows skip past the quiet moments. Not Tracee. She’s candid about what it feels like to order room service alone, unbraid her hair after a long day, or sit with loneliness when it surfaces. Instead of portraying it as a failure, she reframes solitude as part of the process—an opportunity for self-reflection and resilience.
Visibility Matters for Black Women Travelers
Tracee’s presence in this space matters. Black women have long carved out communities—on Reddit threads, Instagram pages, and travel groups—where they share tips about safety, racism, and sexism abroad. Solo Traveling gives those conversations mainstream visibility. By centering her own joy and agency, Tracee affirms that Black women don’t need to wait for permission to explore the world.
Fashion as Storytelling
No Tracee Ellis Ross project would be complete without fashion, and this show is no exception. Each episode begins with her packing—what she calls “for beauty and for disaster.” The daughter of Diana Ross knows how to turn clothing into narrative. Outfits aren’t just for aesthetics; they’re expressions of identity, independence, and readiness for whatever travel may bring.
The Intimacy of Transparency
Unlike glossy, overproduced travel shows, much of Solo Traveling was filmed on Tracee’s phone. She speaks to the camera like it’s a close friend, letting viewers in on her thought process as she navigates new cities. That intimacy is part of the magic—it feels like you’re right there with her, sharing the inside jokes, the doubts, and the moments of wonder.
Tracee’s Three Rules for Solo Travel
What makes the show even more practical is Tracee’s clarity about how she travels. She shares three guiding rules that shape every journey:
Prioritize Safety
Tracee plans with safety top of mind—choosing destinations and resorts where she can relax without fear. As a Black woman, she acknowledges the vulnerabilities that come with travel and builds her itinerary around comfort and protection.Be Prepared
Preparation isn’t just logistics—it’s emotional. Tracee downloads shows and movies for downtime, packs a physical book for screen-free nights, and ensures she has tools to soothe herself no matter what the trip brings.Pack for Comfort (and a little extra)
Her motto is “BIA—Bring It All.” She rejects the pressure to travel light, instead packing a wide variety of clothes, books, and entertainment to meet her needs. Fashion, for Tracee, isn’t indulgence—it’s self-expression and readiness.
A Cultural Shift in Travel Media
Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross isn’t about being relatable—it’s about being real. By showing the highs and lows of independence, Tracee challenges the narrative that travel is only meaningful with a partner or group. For solo travelers everywhere—and especially for Black women—it’s a cultural reset: proof that joy, freedom, and luxury can exist on your own terms.
✨ Season 1 is streaming now on Roku, and with a Season 2 already confirmed, Tracee is far from done showing us what it means to choose yourself and see the world.
