( 📸: Getty Images )
Cousins! Following this year’s BET Awards, legendary singer Patti LaBelle caught a bit of static online as folks weren’t too happy with her tribute to the late Tina Turner!
As we previously reported Patti had stumbled over the lyrics to Tina’s hit song “The Best”. At multiple points during the live performance, she can be heard stating that she couldn’t read the teleprompter. “I can’t see the words and I don’t know. I’m tryin’, y’all!”
Appearing in an interview with Entertainment Tonight Patti addressed comments made surrounding her performance. She didn’t reflect on the teleprompter issues she instead explained that she wasn’t feeling well at the time.
“It meant no matter what voice I’m in — I’m hoarse, I have a cold — but whatever, I had to, I was giving it up for Tina Turner, ’cause she’s simply the best,” said Patti.
“So you heard a little tweak every now and then out there, but I love her, and I did my best.”
Despite her struggles, Patti remained on stage continued to deliver a smooth vocalizations and finished up strong. She ended up catching up with the teleprompter as well as her backup singers. “God bless you, Tina Turner,” said th 79 year old before she walked off stage.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Patti had live singing issues. Within an early 90s performance where she sang “This Christmas,” Patti said that she had trouble because the person holding the cue cards had been moving too slowly.
“It was an extraordinary privilege to celebrate the life and legacy of Ms. Tina Turner at BET Awards 2023. Having the incomparable Ms. Patti LaBelle on our stage honoring one of her contemporaries was an equal privilege,” said a BET spokesperson to the TheHollywood Reporter . They explain that Patti’s view to the teleprompter was ultimately blocked by excited audience members.
“Due to the crowd’s enthusiasm, the teleprompter was obstructed, obscuring Ms. LaBelle’s view of the lyrics. Nonetheless, we couldn’t be more grateful to Ms. LaBelle for lending her incredible talent to this moment.”