Patti LaBelle Forgets Lyrics In Tribute To Tina Turner At BET Awards: ‘I’m Tryin’ Y’all!’

Patti LaBelle has established herself as a regular tribute performer, honoring legendary artists like Whitney Houston, Prince, Aretha Franklin and more. Her experience made her the ideal candidate to pay respect to the late Tina Turner, who died last month, at Sunday’s BET Awards. But while singing on stage, LaBelle forgot the lyrics to Turner’s 1989 song “The Best.”

The performance started well with LaBelle standing in front of a set that spelled out the name “Tina” and displayed pictures of the rock and R&B singer. But then LaBelle began to noticeably struggle through the song as she didn’t know the lyrics.

Over the years, LaBelle has been successful singing off of teleprompters in her tribute performances, but this time, she couldn’t see the lyrics. “Whatever – I can’t see the words, I don’t know,” she explained to the audience before humming some of the notes. “I’m tryin’, y’all!”

Despite the issue with the teleprompter, LaBelle was able to get through the song with help from the audience during the chorus.

BET later said that the teleprompter was blocked by the crowd, making the lyrics difficult to see.

Before her performance, LaBelle said in a statement: “Tina was a trailblazer and someone I have a tremendous amount of respect for because of all that she overcame and that she accomplished. She was and is everything! And I am honored that I am able to pay tribute to her in this way.”

Beyoncé, Latto, Teyana Taylor and Coco Jones were among the winners on Sunday.