After a teleprompter mishap during her performance of “The Best,” Patti Labelle was able to continue with her Tina Turner tribute at the 2023 BET Awards on Sunday.
Despite forgetting the lyrics, the legendary R&B/Soul singer kept a brave face and continued performing during the ceremony.
She told the crowd, “I’m trying, y’all,” as she began the first chorus. She quickly, however, lost track of the lyrics. Before starting to sing, she said, “Oh God, what if I can’t see the words? I don’t know” the melody of the song. I’m trying, y’all,” she repeated.
Through it all, Patti persevered and maintained her professionalism while adding ad-libs to honor the late “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll”. She ended her performance with “God bless you, Tina Turner!”
A spokesperson for BET said that: “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.”
It was reported online that the two icons were at odds following the performance, but Patti Labelle denied any rift.
“Tina was a trailblazer and someone I have a tremendous amount of respect for because of all that she overcame and all that she accomplished,” she told Rolling Stone. “She was and is everything! And I am honored that I am able to pay tribute to her in this way.”
