Alright, y’all, here’s the tea, step by step. Patti LaBelle and her team are HEATED after CNN aired their Luther Vandross documentary, "Luther: Never Too Much."
The Setup: CNN’s documentary painted Patti as one of the people who gossiped about Luther’s sexuality—something he fiercely protected during his lifetime. Patti’s camp says the producers set her up.
The Clip: A 2017 snippet of Patti on Bravo’s "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" was used. In it, she seemingly confirmed the long-standing rumors about Luther’s sexuality. The move feels like a low blow to her team.
The Reaction: Sources close to Patti told Page Six her camp is furious, claiming this narrative makes her look like a fake friend. The two were like family for YEARS, with Patti stepping in to help Luther’s family after his stroke and even after his passing in 2005.
Luther’s Legacy: Luther Vandross was clear about keeping his personal life private. He famously said, “It’s none of their f***ing business.” His songwriting partner, Richard Marx, backed this up, saying, “There are people who have talked about his personal life, people who he considered friends.”
The Fallout: Patti’s team feels the doc doesn’t honor their close friendship and instead turns her into a villain. And let’s not forget, Luther and Patti were like siblings—this is personal.
So, where do we go from here? Patti’s team wants her name cleared, but CNN hasn’t addressed the backlash.
What’s your take? Did CNN cross the line, or is this just the cost of being in the spotlight?
Comment below and use #WhatspoppinDQ to sound off!
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