CELEBRITY

Tina Turner Dead At 83: Beyonce, Oprah, Angela Bassett & More React

Published

11 months ago

May 25, 2023

Celebrities are mourning the loss of iconic singer Tina Turner after her death at age 83.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner,” read a statement on the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Instagram account on Wednesday, May 24, alongside a black-and-white photo of the music icon.

“With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.”

Earlier that day, Turner’s rep released a statement announcing her death.

“Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.” Her spokesperson, Bernard Doherty, added: “With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”

While Turner had a flourishing career since her debut at 18, the “What’s Love Got to Do With It” songstress faced a series of health issues in recent years. In 2013, the Grammy winner suffered from a stroke three weeks after she tied the knot with Erwin Bach. While recovering from the stroke, Turner had to learn how to walk again. Three years later, she was diagnosed with both intestinal cancer and kidney failure.

Stars and fans of the Tennessee native flooded social media to pay their respects.

BEYONCE

“My beloved queen, I love you endlessly,” Beyoncé’s message began in a tribute on her website. “I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way.”

“You are strength and resilience,” she continued. “You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain. Thank you for all you h

OPRAH

The TV mogul shared two posts on Instagram dedicated to Turner whom she called one of her “real friends.”

” I had the chance to join Tina onstage during her “Wildest Dreams” tour and felt a glimpse of her enchanted world. I was so nervous that my knees were actually knocking together. Dancing onstage with her in Los Angeles was the most fun I ever remember having stepping out of my box. Tina lived out of the box and encouraged me and every woman to do the same.”

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ANGELA BASSETT

The Oscar nominee, who portrayed the iconic artist in 1963’s What’s Love Got to Do With It, penned a solemn message about Tina’s legacy after her passing.

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“How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world?” Bassett wrote via Instagram on Wednesday. “Through her courage in telling her story, her commitment to stay the course in her life, no matter the sacrifice, and her determination to carve out a space in rock and roll for herself and for others who look like her, Tina Turner showed others who lived in fear what a beautiful future filled with love, compassion, and freedom should look like. 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.’”

She added: “I shall hold these words close to my heart for the rest of my days. I am honored to have known Tina Turner. I am humbled to have helped show her to the world. So on today, while we mourn the loss of this iconic voice and presence, she gave us more than we could have ever asked. She gave us her whole self. And Tina Turner is a gift that that will always be ‘simply the best.’”

MARIAH CAREY

“The words legendary, iconic, diva, and superstar are often overused and yet Tina Turner embodies them all and so many more — an incredible performer, musician and trailblazer,” the “Heartbreaker” songstress captioned an Instagram tribute. “To me, she will always be a survivor and an inspiration to women everywhere. Her music will continue to inspire generations to come. Rest in Peace, Queen.”

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HALLE BERRY

“I’ll never forget this day at the Legends Ball when I met Tina Turner!,” said Berry in a post on her Instagram account. “She rearranged me with her conversation, her spirit, her depth of character, her grace and most of all her ability to be ordinary and a LEGEND at the time! The world will be missing one bright light tonight!”

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AVA DUVERNAY

The award winning director shared a series of photos on her Instagram along with Turners own words reflecting on her decades long career.

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“When I started as a solo artist, I was a female Black singer in my forties with no money and few prospects for gigs. Still, I kept a ‘never give up’ spirit. Part of my spiritual practice is to change poison into medicine, to transform roadblocks through positivity. The force of my positivity pushed the discriminatory ‘ isms’ standing in my way. We all have it within our power to make decisions and take actions that elevate us. Every day, we express who we are, and who we wish to become, through our thoughts, words and deeds. Choose the positive path in everything you do. Spread positivity and kindness. That’s the way.” – Ms. Tina Turner. 1939-2023.

LIZZO

The “Good as Hell” singer performed “Proud Mary” at her Special Tour show in Phoenix on Wednesday, paying tribute to Turner with both a song and a brief speech.

“Today, we lost an icon. 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,” Lizzo told the crowd. “As a Black girl in a rock band, I would not exist if it was not for the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”