Ross was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She began her acting career in New York, appearing in the episodes of television series New York Undercover and Third Watch. before landing the leading role in the independent drama film, Stranger Inside (2001). The movie produced by HBO, first premiered on television, but Ross was nominated for film Award Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance. She later had supporting roles in a number of independent productions and guest starred on Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and in 2011 had the recurring role of HBO's Treme.
Ross co-starred alongside Lisa Gay Hamilton in the critically acclaimed 2013 independent drama film, Go for Sisters She received Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female nomination for her performance in film. She later was cast opposite Viola Davis in Lila & Eve. In 2015, Ross played Robyn Crawford, the friend, assistant, and reported girlfriend of Whitney Houston, in the Lifetime movie, Whitney directed by Angela Bassett.
