At the BET Awards, Patti LaBelle's tribute to Tina Turner with a performance of "The Best" drew both applause and criticism. LaBelle, dressed in a shimmering black fringed dress, experienced difficulty when the teleprompter was obscured, causing her to lose her place in the song. She acknowledged the issue on stage, expressing her struggle to see the lyrics.
Social media lit up with varied responses. Some viewers found the performance "disrespectful" and "unprofessional," questioning the decision to have LaBelle perform the tribute, especially given her apparent unfamiliarity with the lyrics. Others defended LaBelle, citing her age and extensive career, suggesting occasional lyric slips are understandable. Some even praised her ability to maintain composure and continue performing despite the mishap.
LaBelle, in prior interviews, expressed her honor and pride in being chosen to pay homage to Turner, a longtime friend. She spoke warmly of their relationship and Turner's inspiring journey. A BET Awards spokesperson addressed the incident, highlighting the privilege of having both LaBelle and a tribute to Turner at the event. They explained the teleprompter issue caused by audience enthusiasm and expressed gratitude for LaBelle's contribution.
This wasn't LaBelle's first experience with lyric difficulties. A similar incident occurred in 1996 during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony when she publicly acknowledged incorrect lyrics on her cue cards. The article also briefly mentions Turner's passing in May, highlighting her remarkable career and global impact as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
