by patti labelle Tribute performance for the late Tina Turner At the 2023 BET Awards, the internet was divided as to which legendary singer to disgrace.
LaBelle’s interpretation of Turner’s famous single “The Best“It started on a high-energy note. But it soon became clear that the 79-year-old singer did not know all the words. He deviated slightly from the original lyrics, singing “My soul’s on fire” instead of the original line, “my heart’s on fire”. He later muttered inaudible words at times and missed cues as the backing vocalists carried on without her at times.
LaBelle acknowledged her mistakes in real time. “I’m trying, everyone” she said while singing the first verse. During the second verse, she said that she couldn’t see the words that were being displayed on the teleprompter. “Whatever, I can’t see the words, I don’t know”, she said. “I don’t know. I’m trying all of them.”
On Twitter, fans who watched the performance debated how to make sense of the legendary singer who botched a performance meant to honor her partner.
Some viewed LaBelle’s cover as disrespectful to Turner.
“That was a choice”, someone tweetedadding in a second tweet, “If you can’t (or don’t want to) do the tribute justice, just don’t do it. Period.”
“It was terrible, they need to redo it”, someone tweeted.
“One word: rehearsal. Tina Turner deserved better. Patti Labelle has been in the business too long to not come on stage prepared to perform and know the lyrics.” another wrote.
Others were more amused by the mistake. “Pattie doesn’t know this song” someone tweeted with crying and laughing emojis.
LaBelle mentioned that she “couldn’t see the words” during the performance. A BET Awards attendee provided context to what LaBelle said, writing in the caption of a video posted on Twitter: “Patti couldn’t see the teleprompter because our section was standing in front of it.”
There was a cohort of fans who used the locked teleprompter to defend the “Someone Loves You Baby” singer, implying that she was prepared to fail.
“Yes, because the producers didn’t make sure their Teleprompter was clear. They owe you (a) a big apology. Do not tolerate any slander from Patti. This woman is almost 80 years old and she is a legend ”, one fan tweeted.
“She’s 80 years old, for God’s sake, she deserves a pass… Leave her aunt alone…” said another.
“The producers needed to make those big words AF”, one wrote.
BET announced LaBelle as the tribute singer on June 23. She told the rolling stone in a statement it would be your honor.
“Tina was a trailblazer and someone I have tremendous respect for for everything she overcame and everything she accomplished,” LaBelle told the outlet. “She was and is everything! And I’m honored to be able to pay tribute to him in this way.”
Turner died last month following years of health struggles and was a longtime friend of LaBelle’s.
This story first appeared on TODAY.com.
