Patti LaBelle’s tribute to the late Tina Turner at the 2023 BET Awards simply wasn’t the best.
The 79-year-old legendary diva took the stage the sing one of Tina’s timeless hits, “Simply The Best.”
At one point, during her performance, Patti LaBelle fumbled the lyrics.
She then confessed to the audience that she couldn’t see the words to the song on the teleprompter.
Patti said, “Oh Lord! Whatever, I can’t see the words…I don’t know. I’m trying y’all.”
Watch the full performance below.
Pattie LaBelle performs the tribute to Tina Turner at the #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/QqTPb1xbAB
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 26, 2023
In an effort to shoot Patti LaBelle some bail…it’s unclear how much notice or preparation time she had prior to the tribute performance.
But, not knowing the lyrics to a timeless classic when you’re performing a tribute to a late icon – simply isn’t the best.
The tribute was so bad that BET opted not to release the performance video.
But, a spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter:
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.
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.
See Exhibit A below.
Lmaooooo #BetAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/qGuVqAe8Kz
— Rae Christine (@raechristine__) June 26, 2023
Folks swiftly took to their Twitter timelines to share their thoughts on Patti LaBelle’s tribute to Tina Turner.
Read a few tweets below.
#BETAwards
— Manic the 17th (@Manicthe17th) June 26, 2023
Patti Labelle "I can't see the words. I'm trying yall"
Me pic.twitter.com/WKxVVTJUAl
Patti LaBelle trying to get through this Tina Turner tribute #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/SswCRrEADt
— ❄️🗝️ (@DiaryOfKeysus) June 26, 2023
Tina Turner in Heaven after this Tribute #BetAwards2023 #pattilabelle #Tinaturner pic.twitter.com/Gt4csSQmn1
— London love (@daheroreport2) 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
One thing Patti LaBelle gonna do is tell you when something is off during her performance 😂 #BETAwards
— Curt (@DaBoyCurt_06) June 26, 2023
I'm sorry Patti Labelle,as much as I love you, your Tina Turner tribute and not knowing the words to the song was highly disrespectful and unprofessional. 😪🙏🏾
— frederick grigsby🥋🐘 (@payne12) June 26, 2023
Patti Labelle is 79! She has a right to forget some lyrics sometimes! FOH🙄🙄🙄🙄
— Bloated IG Political Commentator (@coreybking) June 26, 2023
Patti Labelle forgetting the lyrics to Tina Turner’s simply the best during a Tina Turner Tribute is wild business to me. Wild shame.
— Anele Mdoda (@Anele) June 26, 2023
Tina Turner to Patti Labelle tonight after that performance #BetAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/scVbWYDOnQ
— Professor X (@AntTheKing) June 26, 2023
the background singers when patti labelle asked where they at #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/pZbgleiQ1V
— Crying Babies in Public Spaces Defense Team (@unforeseenbritt) June 26, 2023
Patti Labelle trying to read the teleprompter 😭#BETAwards pic.twitter.com/ST5TCkDLXg
— ✨Tatyana✨ (@PrincessTaaaty) June 26, 2023
It’s bad enough that Patti Labelle didn’t like Tina Turner in REAL LIFE but to tribute her after her death and be fucking it up 🤣😂 THE SHADE! #BETAwards
— Aries Groove ♈️ (@KoolKidDave) June 26, 2023
No shade to the legend Mama Patti LaBelle but BET y’all got Patti up here not knowing the words to “Simply the Best” tributing Tina Turner like 🫤. Clearly, this tribute was just thrown together last minute, I’m irritated #BETAwards
— This is why I Rock! (@ItsKingsWorld) June 26, 2023
At the end of the day, Patti LaBelle is still a beloved and legendary diva and I’m sure she is just as disappointed by the 2023 BET Awards tribute as many of Tina Turner’s fans were.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or join the convo on our socials. (Facebook, Instagram)
