Sophia Michaels
Lizzo paused her May 24 concert to honor Tina Turner’s life and legacy. Just hours after news broke that the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll died at age 83, Lizzo paid tribute to the late musician during her “Special” Tour stop in Phoenix, AZ.
“Today we lost an icon,” she began, holding back tears. “And I haven’t allowed myself to be sad. I haven’t allowed myself to cry about it. And I don’t want to right now because I’d much rather celebrate the incredible legend Tina Turner is and always will be. As a Black girl in a rock band, I would not exist if it was not for the Queen of Rock and Roll.” She concluded, “Remember this: There would be no rock ‘n’ roll without Tina Turner,” repeating the sentence several times as the crowd cheered louder and louder.
Lizzo then treated fans to a stirring performance of “Proud Mary,” the Creedence Clearwater Revival song Turner covered in 1971 with then-husband Ike. After slowly crooning the first verse and chorus, she ripped off her sequin skirt, yelled, “Let’s celebrate her life!” and kicked the energy up several notches to mimic Turner’s famously high-energy stage presence. “We love you, Tina Turner!” Lizzo yelled, knocking over her microphone stand before exiting the stage like a true rock star.
Countless celebrities have honored Turner following her passing. Angela Bassett, who portrayed Turner in the 1993 biopic “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” penned an emotional Instagram caption revealing the musician’s last words to her. “Her final words to me — for me — were ‘You never mimicked me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world.’ I shall hold these words close to my heart for the rest of my days,” she wrote.
Beyoncé, meanwhile, celebrated her “beloved queen” in a statement on her website, writing, “I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way. You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion.” Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, Viola Davis, Mariah Carey, and more stars have also shared moving tributes.
