Originally Posted by
jim aka jtigre99
The relationship between Diana and all of her former singing partners was somewhat tense. Once Florence left, they weren't exactly chitchatting like besties. She certainly liked Cindy well enough and wrote she was a pleasant girl eager to please but even in her Oprah interview said she was a Supreme but not really a Supreme [[Ouch!). Mary and Diana ran hot and cold throughout the years. Once Flo was ousted, I think that caused a strain between them until Diana left the group. Once Diana was a solo and Mary still working to keep the group together, I am sure their lives were going in different directions. Still, Diana was Godmother to Turkessa and saw Mary's solo debut in 1979. Mary went to Diana for a loan in 1981 when her marriage fell apart. So, Motown 25 was only 2 years later. They may not have been on the best of terms but it certainly seems they had a relationship.
On the night of the show, Diana was apparently wrestling more with appearing since she left to go to RCA after her long history with Motown and Berry. I am sure she wanted to celebrate it in her heart but wrestled with the emotions of moving on to start anew independently. That was probably bigger in her mind than a Supremes reunion. I think in her mind she was 13 years beyond all of that. The fact that she did not rehearse with Cindy and Mary or perhaps didn't even personally get in touch with them to discuss the reunion beforehand speaks volumes.
Diana did behave very badly in front of a studio audience, touching a fellow performer for whatever reason and however lightly was simply uncalled for. Mary behaved badly by rewriting her script. She also wore red when it was agreed they would wear shades of black, silver and white. She wore black for her script but changed to red for the reunion. Stepping to be side by side with Diana and singing softly so their mics were not turned down so low that they were inaudible is not what I would call bad behavior, especially if the rehearsal was so slipshod on Motown's part. Mary picking up when Diana stopped singing was not malicious either as I am glad people noticed Mary gesture to Diana to pick up the lead again. Still, once Smokey came out Diana went into the mode of doing what she was asked-to recite the names of the other artists to join them onstage.
I don't think the animosity is what fans make it out to be. But also, they never really communicated properly. From when they were in the group to Motown 25 to RTL. I also think Diana had all of those years being told what to do, she was at the point where she wanted control of her own career. Mary was in litigation with Motown, they were told they could not visit any of the big stars and they had Mary Wells sharing the dressing room with Cindy instead of Mary. Those kind of indignities would make anyone a bit infuriated with Motown 25.