Patti LaBelle Forgets Lyrics During Tina Turner Tribute: 'I'm Trying Y'all'
By Jovonne Ledet
June 26, 2023
Patti LaBelle stumbled through her tribute to legendary singer Tina Turner at the 2023 BET Awards.
On Sunday (June 25), LaBelle took the BET Awards stage to honor Turner following her death last month. LaBelle, however, seemingly struggled to get through a tribute to Turner and forgot some of the lyrics to her iconic hit "The Best."
"I'm trying y'all. Come on," LaBelle said onstage as she stumbled through the words of the song.
The singer made it through the chorus of "The Best" before telling the audience "I can't see the words. I don't know," seemingly referring to the teleprompter.
Patti LaBelle honoring the late Tina Turner at the #BETAwards. 🎥: Courtesy of BET pic.twitter.com/1CEwRWlE8Q
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) June 26, 2023
"I'm trying y'all," she said again while appearing to forget more of the lyrics.
Ahead of the performance, BET said the performance would capture “the essence of Turner’s unparalleled legacy." Turner died at age 83 at her home near Zurich, Switzerland.
The awards show also recognized other Black stars that have died in the past year including Harry Belafonte, Lance Reddick, Big Pokey, Gangsta Boo, and more.
Check out social media reactions to LaBelle's Tina Turner tribute below.
Tina Turner watching Patti LaBelle during this tribute from heaven #BETAwards #BetAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/gIH7YAZ5gJ
— Cloud9ineDreams💫 (@Cloud9ineDreams) June 26, 2023
“IM TRYING YALL” patti labelle was fighting for her life…#BetAwards2023 #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/lhG4iPxFse
— 𝔞 (@austinstwt) June 26, 2023
Me the whole time Patti was singing 😭#BETAwards #BetAwards2023 #pattilabelle pic.twitter.com/K0r0Pms4cZ
— 757qtpie (@757qtpie) June 26, 2023
Patti Labelle walking off the stage after not being able to read the prompter #BetAwards2023 #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/O3OZtc6eOv
— Jamarcus Fitzpatrick (@JFitzTV) June 26, 2023
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