Angela Bassett reveals ‘courageous’ Tina Turner’s powerful final words to her
Angela Bassett, 62, has paid a moving tribute to music legend Tina Turner, 30 years after playing the Queen of Rock and Roll in a biographical film about the star's often turbulent life.
Tina's autobiography I, Tina, was turned into the 1993 film What's Love Got To Do With It and Angela's portrayal of the superstar earned her an Oscar nomination.
After learning of Tina's death on Wednesday night, the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star wrote a 200-word social media post in honour of the American-Swiss singer, recounting Tina's powerful final words to the actress and saying she would hold them "close to her heart" for the rest of her life.
"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?," she wrote.
She went on to reveal last words the Proud Mary singer ever said to her, sharing: "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.' I shall hold these words close to my heart for the rest of my days.
"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."
The 1993 biopic was based on Tina's autobiography published in 1986, and focussed on her tumultuous relationship with her abusive husband Ike Turner, who was played by American actor Laurence Fishburne, who went on to star in The Matrix.
Angela's tribute continued: "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."
Angela and Laurence's strong performances in the 1993 critical hit earned them Oscar nominations for Best Actress and Actor at the 66th annual awards, but Tom Hanks and Holly Hunter took home the accolades for their work in Philadelphia and The Piano.
Angela did however win the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her work.
A statement released by Tina's representative on Wednesday night revealed the trailblazing singer had died aged 83 at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, after a "long illness".
She had been living in Switzerland for 10 years years after moving there with long-term partner Erwin Bach, who she wed in a civil ceremony in 2013 after almost 30 years together.
Global superstars have come out in force to celebrate the life of the singer, with Beyoncé calling her "My beloved Queen". The Renaissance singer updated her website to pay tribute to the star, changing the main image to one of the pair performing Tina's song Proud Mary at the 50th Grammy Awards when Beyoncé was just 26 years old.
Finishing the very personal post on Thursday, Angela wrote: "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." Angels sing thee to thy rest…Queen."
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