Patti LaBelle paid tribute to Tina Turner at Sunday night’s BET Awards, but hit a technical glitch while performing Turner’s signature song, “The Best.”
Turner died last month and Labelle began by saying, “Give it up for Tina Turner.”
But as she began singing the classic tune, Labelle struggled to see a teleprompter providing the lyrics — keep in mind that the R&B star is 79 years old and looked fabulous as she took the stage.
“I can’t see the words,” LaBelle said at one point, after blowing the lyrics. She would then tell the crowd, “I don’t know. I’m trying, y’all!”
Patti LaBelle says she can’t see the words #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/DGu6SksytF
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 26, 2023
Clearly, the singer did not memorize the lyrics and was relying on the teleprompter. There’s also a good possibility that the lights were up during any rehearsal that may have taken place.
Either way, social media users were brutal in responding to a nearly 80-year-old woman doing her best to honor a musical legend.
Here’s a quick sampling of some of the responses to the story from Twitter, including those standing up for LaBelle, a legend in her own right:
Yes, because producers didn’t make sure that her Teleprompter was clear. They owe her big apology. Not tolerating any Patti slander. This woman is almost 80 and is a legend.
— Holly Robinson Peete ♍️ (@hollyrpeete) June 26, 2023
Twitter is going to light up Patti LaBelle for that tribute to Tina Turner when they should bow down and shut their mouths.
That woman is 79 years old and paved the way for just about every other singer in that room.
Clearly she couldn’t see the words to the song, didn’t know…
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) June 26, 2023
Ms. Patti looking great up there. 79 and going.
Producers needed to make those words big AF.
— Martin Matthews (@1MartinMatthews) June 26, 2023
#PattiLaBelle YOU SHOULD KNOW THE WORDS ‼️ this the 3rd time this happened to you. #BetAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/2DGu7gNbUL
— BoySlayage (@blacknarcoticz) June 26, 2023
#BETAwards
Patti Labelle “I can’t see the words. I’m trying yall”
Me pic.twitter.com/WKxVVTJUAl— Manic the 17th (@Manicthe17th) June 26, 2023
Tina Turner in heaven right now after miss Patti LaBelle didn’t know her lyrics #BETAwards #BetAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/0Aup02yAvN
— Cloud9ineDreams (@Cloud9ineDreams) June 26, 2023
the teleprompter was blocked https://t.co/cP0C5sFYQ2
— Ashlee (@tweetwithashlee) June 26, 2023
That was tragic… pic.twitter.com/WzzttBPlav
— Queen of Sport SMFT (@msshawnt) June 26, 2023
Respectfully people have to become comfortable with Declining request to participate in functions. pic.twitter.com/vLW5LUHLqC
— HonorableSienna (@HonorableSienna) June 26, 2023
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