Patti LaBelle Messes Up Lyrics During Tina Turner Tribute at 2023 BET Awards

Patti LaBelle had a little mishap during her tribute to the late Tina Turner when she forgot the lyrics, but the audience was right behind her, helping her through. 

She took the stage at the BET Awards to pay homage to Tina who passed in May. As she began singing '(Simply) The Best,' she admitted mid-verse that she didn't really know the words.

“I’m trying, y’all! Whatever, I can’t see the words.”

Although the performance didn't go as planned, the audience continued to sing and dance along.

“God bless you, Tina Turner, BET, hip-hop!” LaBelle finished with.

The mishap went viral with some fans giving mixed reviews of her tribute.

“I’m tired of Patti not showing up with her reading glasses,"

Another called the moment a “wonderful, serotonin-inducing camp.”

Other users compared her performance to her appearance at the 1996 National Tree Lighting where she said, “Where my background singers? And that’s the wrong words on the cue cards, I don’t know the song … This Christmas.”

A spokesperson said, “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.”

Her participation in the ceremony was only announced two days prior.

“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."

Patti said she felt "honoured" to be part of the tribute.

“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 was and is everything!”

The news of Tina's death broke on May 24th, noting she died at her home in Switzerland.

“With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model."

A day later, her cause of death was revealed as natural causes.

As the world mourned her death, Patti publicly expressed her love for Tina among other celebrities.

“Tina, the world will forever be grateful for your voice, your fearlessness, and your grace! You truly are the Queen of Rock & Roll and your spirit will reign forever! Rest in eternal peace and love!”