Do you realize this is the first time I’ve ever covered anything to do with Patti LaBelle? How is that possible?! She’s one of our greatest divas, but to her credit, she’s not a hot mess, which is probably why I’ve never had the chance to talk about her. Patti turns 70 years old this year, and she’s living her life to the fullest. She’s still a world-class diva, she’s still performing and rocking and killing it. Anyway, Patti spoke to PrideSource recently, and the interview is, in a word, AMAZING. You can read the full piece here, and here are some highlights:
PrideSource: When did you first know you had a big gay following?
Patti: I’ve been in this business for maybe 51 years, and so I think 50 years ago. (Laughs) The first year I wasn’t sure, but the second year of performing I got this love – I mean, great love – from my gay fans. I always questioned, “Why do they love me? Why do they really, really give a damn about Patti LaBelle?” And I think it’s because I’m such a free spirit and such a drag queen, really, myself. The original drag queen.What’s your relationship with them been like over the years? Has that bond gotten stronger?
It’s much stronger. I think if I ran for president of the gay community, they might elect me. And I would handle it so well. It would just be one of those things I was born to do. So I think every year it grows and grows and grows. A lot of gay fans who come to see me, I think they’re afraid to be out until I say something and let everyone know it’s fine to just be yourself.If you were president, what would be the first thing you might do for the gay community?
I would let everyone gay who wants to get married – no matter what city, what country, what state – say “I do.” That would be my first order. Everybody say “yes” to gay marriages.For you, what does it mean to be a diva?
That word is used so loosely that I don’t even consider myself a diva. I always considered myself a woman who sings her heart out and who gives 120 percent. “Diva” is a word that I wouldn’t wanna call myself because it’s so loosely used. It’s not cute anymore.Is there a negative connotation to it now?
Yeah, because all these little heifers who can’t sing are called divas! It doesn’t mean anything to me and probably to some of the other ladies who have been doing it for as long as I have: Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick. You know, I’m speaking for me – I don’t know if they like to be called divas – but I know I wouldn’t call them divas, because it’s not in good company.But it used to be a respectable term at some point.
Well, for opera singers, and for ladies who earned it, but that was way, way back when. Now you can look up to them, but you might not see what you wanna see. A hot mess! People who are doing it and doing it with about 40 people on stage with them to hide their pitifulness – that’s not a word, but you know what I mean.You keep it real.
Oh, there’s no reason to do anything else but.Lastly, Patti, what’s the greatest life lesson you’ve learned?
I’ve learned to love my family while they’re here and give them anything they want … within reason. Never neglect going to the hospital to see your sister who’s dying of cancer. I missed that one. I missed my last sister, Jackie, who died five minutes away and she wanted an egg sandwich and I said, “I’ll bring it tomorrow.” And tomorrow she was gone. My life lesson is to do for those who you care for today. Right now. Like, when you hang up, Chris, call somebody and tell them you love them.
Lord, she’s so quotable and fabulous. My favorite quotes: “Because all these little heifers who can’t sing are called divas!” And: “I think it’s because I’m such a free spirit and such a drag queen, really, myself. The original drag queen.” She’s so gangster! She IS the original drag queen. Step aside Cher!! I love her life lessons too, and why she keeps it real: “Oh, there’s no reason to do anything else but.” Bless her.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Oh god you tell em! I agree with everything she said. She is spot on! I’ve seen her in concert and she is funny and she sings her butt off.
I was fortunate enough to the Labelle in the 70’s and plenty of Ms Patti’s solo performance
The more people on stage, the less talent the singer is
She is awesome. If you have kids watch her version of the ABC song from sesame street on youtube. Amazing.
Have watched it repeatedly, the Miffy Jr. goes bananas for it!
She totally nailed it with “these little heifers” comment – I love her more than anything right now!!
My favorite is “Their doing it and doing it with 40 people on stage with them to hide their pitifulness”. I laughed out loud at that one!
Haha, same! They need the distractions. Taylor Swift doesn’t have 99 backup dancers, but she should.
Preach, Patti. It needed to be said because it’s so, so, true with all of those people trying to hide their pitifulness. Couldn’t have been said better and come from a better person. Preach!
I loved that heifers comment too. And she’s right – there are so many posers out there pretending. But unlike Patti, they don’t have the chops or the voice to have the kind of career she has enjoyed.
I’m glad she’s finally coming out and being real about this issue. She has been super classy in the past, but it’s time to acknowledge what she is saying as truth. I was so sick of the VH1 Divas BS when only a few of them could ever actually sing. LOVE Patti!
Mai Girl I’m with you on the VH1 Diva’s. How is Brandy and Ashante divas smh
You keep it real:
Oh, there’s no reason to do anything but.
AMAZING!! I’m putting that on a tshirt!
She is the QUEEN. No doubt about it.
and that is a great word to describe her. what an inspiring interview 🙂
I was watching E news one day and they were calling Miley a diva lol… and she definitely has tons of people on stage when she’s performing. Mama Patti throws the best shade!
I do agree with you (and Patti) Also, I’d be just fine to never hear the word “diva” again. It doesn’t mean anything anymore. It’s not negative or positive. It just means you try to sing for a living.
I would be fine with that as well! I actually think the word has a negative connotation. When I think of a diva I usually think of a woman with a bad attitude before I think of someone that sings well : -/ Sad but true.
I agree again. I think “diva” always had a negative connotation but as words evolve, at one point, this one came to mean (imo) a supremely talented female singer. I will admit even when the word had this connotation I never liked it. I always took umbrage if someone said “Mary J. Blige is a diva” for instance because even though I knew that person meant it as a compliment, it still carried that old meaning for me of having a bad attitude. At any rate, “diva” I guess is still evolving to the point that it means different things to different people, maybe. Having said that, I agree with you that bad attitude/sense of entitlement are now the phrases that first come to my mind too and it actually has almost no relation musically at all.
Let’s ban it, there’s two of us, we’ll start the ball rolling. If someone says Mary (or whoever) is a diva, we can get all self-righteous and call out their ignorance!! You in?
Yeah I read an article calling Katy Perry a Diva.Now it is an insult to be called a Diva.
Kim1 Sigh. Not Katy too.
@Tulip I absolutely LOVE your comment!! I am IN! *high fives* *chest bump* *complicated handshake*
I LOVE her.
I admire so much, to loose her mother and all of her sisters back to back and then to lose her to best friends Luther and Gerald with in a year of each other.
I don’t know if I could handle that, it a special type of stronge person to not let that drag them down.
*SWOOON* what else is there even to discuss!!!??
Nothing, QQ, nothing at all. I swoon right there with you.
Patti Lebelle is perfection!
Yaaaas! Love Ms. Patti.
Boss.
“Heifer” makes me laugh every time I see it. That’s too funny!
I remember seeing pictures of her and the other members of LaBelle back in the day and…yes…she is DEFINITELY one of the original drag queens! And I mean that as a compliment. Miss Patti is FIERCE!
Fierce, indeed.
I love Miss Patti. Especially when she is on Andy Cohen’s show on Bravo. There is a You Tube show called Got 2 B Real that’s a parody of her and other “Diva’s” that is beyond funny. “Miss Patti Lahelle” has captured the essence of LaBelle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3MzdAVL46E
I don’t know her (shame on me, I know), but she sounds like such an awesome woman. I shall google her story asap!
Lucy when you have a chance go on youtube and search Labelle “Isn’t It A Shame”, “What Can You Do For Me”
Yes, and of course Miss Labelle, like all the great rock, soul, Motown singers/bands came of age in the 60s/70s when you actually had to have talent – and did – and had to be able to perform and sing live consistently. Purists often state that music vids began the downfall because that’s when style started to be elevated over substance.
back in the day, artists received record deals after years of performing, now faux artists are discovered on youtube
Love her….and she can cook!!! U know she awesome and old school becuz she said heifers!!!!
Her comments totally hit the target! Love them and can’t help but agree 🙂
Well she’s right. (By the way, in 2012 Patti Labelle performed Lady Marmalade with Ariana Grande). There’s no way Katy Perry, Ke$ha, and Miley Cyrus should be considered divas- they’re not talented enough. There are probably some other female pop stars who have been given the label of diva but who aren’t talented enough either, but I can’t think of any others. That label should be reserved for good singers and powerhouse vocalists, not just average pop stars.
Funny, just 5 years ago Patti advised gay R&B singers to stay in the closet.
Also, her comments might have to do a lot with economics, the majority of people who go see her sing (or scream for 2 hours really) are gay men.
Regarding singing, I agree with Patti, I wonder how she feels about Beyonce being invited to Michelle Obama’s birthday party after her lip syncing scandal during the inauguration. None of the old school divas would have done something so disgraceful and cheap.
“All these little heifers who can’t sing are called divas”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!