Angela Bassett contemplates her last words with the late Tina Turner, who died Wednesday at age 83.
“How do we say goodbye to a woman who has her pain and trauma and uses it as a tool to change the world?” The actor, who played Turner in the 1993 movie “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” shared the following in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
Tina Turner has shown it to others through her courage in telling her story, her commitment to stay on the course of her life at all costs, and her determination to open a space in rock and roll for herself and others like her. those who live in fear of what a beautiful future filled with love, compassion and freedom should look like,” she continued.
“His last words to me – to me – were, ‘You never imitated me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed it to the world.”
“I will keep these words close to my heart for the rest of my days. I’m honored to know Tina Turner.”
Bassett went on to say that he was “humbled” as he was given the chance to tell the story of Turner, which earned him an Oscar nomination.
Here’s what you need to know about the legendary singer Tina Turner…
“Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” died Wednesday at the age of 83, after a prolific career spanning decades.
Tina – who was adopted Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame As a solo artist in 2021 – he has sold over 100 million records worldwide during his career, with songs including the hit song “The Best” and his solo comeback single “What’s Love Got to Do With It”.
It recorded the first and only #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the song that started the resurgence of her career in the 1980s.
Tina was 44 at the time, making her the oldest solo female artist to top the Hot 100 chart.
The singer and actress has won a total of 12 Grammy Awards, including eight competitive awards, three Grammy Hall of Fame awards, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
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“Today, as we mourn the loss of this iconic voice and presence, she has given us more than we could ask for. She gave us her whole being. And Tina Turner is a gift that will always be ‘only the best’. Angels, sing for your peace… Queen,” he finished his words.
Just hours ago, Turner’s team announced that he passed away after a “long” struggle with an unnamed illness.
While it’s unclear what illness Turner was dealing with at the time of his death, he admitted in March that his health was “in grave danger” due to kidney disease.
Before his death, however, Turner was able to respond to his admiration and respect for Bassett with a beautiful tribute to Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023.
Recalling the first time he met the “Black Panther” star, Turner said that “I could instantly see that the young woman standing before me was strong, determined, and had big, big dreams, just like me.”
“I said, ‘He’s perfect,’ and I was right,” Turner wrote.
The late singer continued to praise Bassett’s “faith, truth, dignity and grace”, stating that she was and always has been “perfect”.
Turner and Bassett have managed to maintain friendships over the years, despite the “Top” singer spending most of her time in Switzerland.
Bassett supported Turner by appearing in the Broadway musical in 2018 and was later interviewed for the singer’s 2021 HBO documentary “Tina.”