Social media can be unforgiving and rude when celebrities make innocent mistakes on national television.
Black Twitter came for Patti LaBelle when she forgot the lyrics to Tina Turner’s song “The Best” during a tribute to Tina on the 2023 BET Awards on Sunday night.
Black Twitter slammed Patti’s rendition of the song. The 79-year-old icon also had trouble seeing the teleprompter due to people standing in front of it.
Patti LaBelle says she can't see the words #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/DGu6SksytF
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 26, 2023
Patti is a professional, so she ad-libbed her way through the song. She clearly wasn’t given enough time to learn the lyrics.
Despite her difficulties, we owe Patti our respect. She is a legend in her own time and we should applaud her effort.
Actress Holly Robinson Peete defended Patti in a tweet:
“Yes, because producers didn’t make sure that her Teleprompter was clear. They owe her big apology. Not tolerating any Patti slander. This woman is almost 80 and is a legend.”
Yes, because producers didn’t make sure that her Teleprompter was clear. They owe her big apology. Not tolerating any Patti slander. This woman is almost 80 and is a legend.
— Holly Robinson Peete ???? (@hollyrpeete) June 26, 2023
And here you have it. The teleprompter was blocked because of poor planning from BET. Shame on them for this pathetic planning. pic.twitter.com/y3YkSwGVER
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) June 26, 2023
Ms. Patti looking great up there. 79 and going.
Producers needed to make those words big AF.
— Martin Matthews (@1MartinMatthews) June 26, 2023
No slander of Patti LaBelle. The producers and her manager, her son Zuri Edwards, and the rest of her team, should have made sure the teleprompter was placed where there would be zero chance of obstruction. #PattiLaBelle is a legend who sings her heart out. They did her wrong.
— Island Girl – 100% Pro-Choice, Vote Blue in 2022 (@bluepolitics_) June 26, 2023
