Patti LaBelle silences Oprah Winfrey with just one word on 'Oprah's Next Chapter'

theGRIO REPORT - Patti LaBelle gave a divalicious interview with Oprah Winfrey for her OWN series, 'Oprah's Next Chapter'...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

Patti LaBelle gave a divalicious interview with Oprah Winfrey for her OWN series, Oprah’s Next Chapter, which aired on Sunday. Proving that she may in fact be the greatest diva of all time, both for her talent and her tremendous confidence, LaBelle showed she is one of the few women in the world who can spar verbally with Ms. Winfrey using just one word.

The interview, which took place in the world-renouned Apollo Theater in Harlem, was the source of one of the questions that showed LaBelle is not one to be challenged. Winfrey asked the legendary singer, who has performed on that stage, “So you never got booed here?”

Ms. Patti merely answered with a curt, “What?” As though even the thought of such an occurrence was totally implausible. Following with a, “Girl, who you talking to?,” that was about all she had to say about that. (See this link with NSFW title for these responses.)

Juicy dish with a mighty diva

The idea of anyone referring to one of the most powerful women in the world as a diminutive “girl” is juicy enough, but LaBelle did not stop there.

When speaking of her Legends ball, at which Oprah has feted great black women who have inspired her, Winfrey asked whether LaBelle — who has been honored at the ball — thought of herself as a legend.

“Yes, I really do,” Patti said frankly. When Oprah asked if she has truly accepted the title, the “New Attitude” singer again seemed incredulous. “What?” she asked again.

It goes on from there. From refusing to speak into strangers’ cell phones, to decrying engaging in social media of any kind, Patti LaBelle truly flexes her queen of power vocal singers in this interview.

LaBelle even clears up the details of a long-running feud between herself and yet another bold diva, Diana Ross, and is compared to current pop diva Lady Gaga. It is truly a diva-themed television event.

Yet, it is a delight to behold — mainly because no one can dispute that she has earned the title, “diva.”

A diva reveals her difficulties

Despite her diva status, LaBelle reveals that she, too, has had her low periods.

“I’ve been shut down. Run down. Talked about. Dogged out,” LaBelle told Winfrey, choking back tears. “But that never stopped me from being the true me that’s here and will be here. I could never not be happy about my life.”

And it’s wonderful that she’s still here.

Pattie LaBelle was recently honored by Black Girls Rock! during its annual televised awards show on BET. The 69-year-old also gave a riveting performance of her timeless classic, “You Are My Friend,” bringing the entire audience to its feet, showing she still has her diva powers.

Patti LaBelle is unarguably one of the greatest performers of all time. It is wonderful to see her continue to receive accolades and attention for her stunning career and ability to entertain fans for decades.

Follow Alexis Garrett Stodghill on Twitter @lexisb.

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