Patti LaBelle Masterfully Flubs Lyrics During Tina Turner Tribute

“I’m trying, y’all!” the singer told the crowd at the BET Awards.
Patti LaBelle performs a Tina Turner tribute during the BET Awards 2023 on June 25.
Patti LaBelle performs a Tina Turner tribute during the BET Awards 2023 on June 25.
Paras Griffin via Getty Images

Even the best of us have our bad days.

Patti LaBelle proved just that when she performed a tribute to Tina Turner during Sunday night’s BET Awards in Los Angeles.

The veteran songstress struggled through a rendition of the 1989 hit The Best when audience members ended up obscuring the teleprompter.

LaBelle sang around the melody as she ad-libbed lyrics and apologised to viewers, telling people, “What if I can’t see the words, I don’t know! I’m trying, y’all!”

The Lady Marmalade singer certainly didn’t mean any disrespect.

Patti LaBelle says she can't see the words #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/DGu6SksytF

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 26, 2023

LaBelle expressed her admiration for Turner in a statement to Rolling Stone ahead of the award show, saying, “Tina was a trailblazer and someone I have a tremendous amount of respect for.”

Turner was 83 when she died at her home in Switzerland in May.

While LaBelle’s performance didn’t go as planned, it wasn’t the only messy moment during this year’s BET Awards.

The impact of the film and TV writers strike was evident during the script-less and host-free show.

While some celebrities improvised their speeches, others made statements in solidarity with the writers who craft the shows.

During her introduction for artist Kali, singer Muni Long told audiences, “Writers are, in many instances, the glue to the execution of artistry and storytelling.

“Our ability to extract emotion from performers helping them to articulate their voices and vision to the world is irreplaceable. The protection of the writer is crucial. We simply must protect our intellectual property.”

See some of the funniest tweets about Patti LaBelle’s Turner tribute below.

Patti LaBelle trying to get through this Tina Turner tribute #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/SswCRrEADt

— ❄️🗝️ (@DiaryOfKeysus) June 26, 2023

Lmaooooo #BetAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/qGuVqAe8Kz

— Rae Christine (@raechristine__) 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

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

#BETAwards
Patti Labelle "I can't see the words. I'm trying yall"
Me pic.twitter.com/WKxVVTJUAl

— Manic the 17th (@Manicthe17th) June 26, 2023
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