Patti LaBelle Painted as “Villain” in Luther Vandross Documentary
The New Year brought a wave of controversy for legendary singer Patti LaBelle who was reportedly painted as a “villain” in CNN’s documentary Luther: Never Too Much. The documentary, which aired on January 1, delves into the life and legacy of the late R&B icon Luther Vandross. But instead of celebrating Patti’s decades-long friendship with Luther, the film seemingly casts her in an unflattering light.
Friendship Turns Sour on Screen
Patti LaBelle and Luther Vandross were music legends and close friends. Patti shared a deep bond with Luther and his family, standing by him through thick and thin, especially in his later years when he suffered a debilitating stroke. According to insiders, she was there “’til the end,” even hiring caregivers and ensuring his loved ones felt supported.
Despite her devotion, the documentary focuses on a controversial moment from 2017 when Patti appeared on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. During the interview, Andy asked if Luther struggled with coming out publicly. Patti candidly replied, “We talked about it… He did not want his mother to be [upset]—although she might have known—but, he wasn’t going to come out and say this to the world.”
This clip, combined with comments from Vandross’ songwriting partner Richard Marx, shows Patti as someone who betrayed her friend’s trust. Richard says in the film, “One of the things that really pissed me off is there are people who have talked about his personal life, people who he considered friends.”
Patti Labelle’s Interview Cut
Patti was reportedly eager to contribute to the documentary, even inviting producers into her home for an hour-long interview to share heartfelt stories about her friend. However, sources say her interview was cut entirely after she refused to sign release forms when producers wouldn’t allow her to see the final edit.
Insiders believe this decision set her up for criticism. The documentary uses the Watch What Happens Live clip but excludes Patti’s contributions to Luther’s life and career. One source claimed they “left her impact on his career out of the film.”
Ill Timing for CNN?
The documentary faced additional backlash for airing on New Year’s Day amid a terrorist attack in New Orleans. Critics, including former CNN copy editor Tom Sileo, described the network’s decision as “insane” and “disrespectful” to the victims. Sileo vented on X (formerly Twitter), “Can’t believe I used to work there, but when I did, at least we cared about news.”
At 80, LaBelle has been busy touring and, according to sources, hasn’t watched the documentary. Representatives for LaBelle and the Vandross estate have yet to comment on the controversy, and CNN has declined to address the criticism.
