Legendary soul singer Patti LaBelle had a bit of a hiccup during her tribute to Tina Turner at the 2023 BET Awards on Sunday night.
LaBelle was performing Turner’s hit song “The Best” when she appeared to forget some of the lyrics. She paused for a moment, then laughed and said, “I’m trying, y’all!”
She offered an explanation as she riffed above the song: “Whatever, I can’t see the words, I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m trying y’all,” she said. The camera panned the audience looking amused.
The audience laughed along with LaBelle, and she continued to sing the song. Despite the fumble, LaBelle’s performance was still well-received by fans and critics alike.
“Patti LaBelle is a living legend, and she gave a beautiful tribute to Tina Turner,” said one fan on Twitter. “Even though she forgot some of the lyrics, she handled it with grace and humor.”
“Patti LaBelle is a pro,” said another fan. “She didn’t let a little mistake get her down. She just kept on singing, and she gave us a performance that we’ll never forget.”
LaBelle’s performance was one of the highlights of the BET Awards, which were held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The awards show honored the best in Black entertainment, and LaBelle was one of many stars who took the stage to perform.
BET shared news of LaBelle’s tribute on Friday, June 23, noting on its site that the two-time Grammy award-winning singer would perform during the live awards show.
“LaBelle will honor the incomparable Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, showcasing her incredible talent and capturing the essence of Turner’s unparalleled legacy in a performance that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary,” the statement read.
LaBelle said she was thankful for the opportunity to pay tribute to the rock legend.
“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,” LaBelle told Rolling Stone in a statement. “She was and is everything! And I am honored that I am able to pay tribute to her in this way.”
“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," a #BETAwards spokesperson tells @THR https://t.co/Z4RKoO8dyL
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 26, 2023
