May 28, 2025
‘Somebody Loves You,’ Patti LaBelle: Icon Celebrates 81st Birthday
The legendary singer was showered with a surprise birthday tribute during her performance at "The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage" tour stop in Brooklyn, NY
On May 24, fans, friends, and family celebrated the 81st birthday of the one-and-only Patti LaBelle.
The R&B icon is currently on “The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage” tour alongside fellow superstars Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, and Chaka Khan. During her performance at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, the outspoken diva shared a message with the audience, taking pride in aging gracefully.
“Let me say something. I have so many people who are afraid to say how young they are,” she said in front of the sold-out arena. “Don’t be scared. 81 is wonderful, OK? Happy birthday.”
As the night progressed, LaBelle’s entourage surprised the Patti Pie founder with a bouquet and a cake that wished the Godmother of Soul a “Happy 81 [years] Young.” Leaders of the Black Promoters Collective, the 100% Black-owned company producing the tour, also surprised the On My Own singer with a luxury Goyard Saigon bag.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, LaBelle thanked all the people who continue to support her career.
“I can’t do all of this without my band, my crew, my lighting, my sound, my security—which I don’t need—but I’ve got Will. And this is for my son, Zuri,” said LaBelle. “God bless all of you.”
The If Only You Knew singer has been a staple in Black households for over 60 years. Though a singer by trade, she’s acted throughout the years, most notably, as the mother of Dwayne Wayne on A Different World. LaBelle let her fans know that she is grateful for her years of success.
“We don’t take that for granted. We are such hardworking women,” she said, referring to her peers on The Queens tour. “I’ve been doing it for 65 years, and to still have people come to see our show, we are truly blessed.”
The iconic soul singer shared a post on Instagram thanking those involved in making the night special.
“Thank you to the Queen’s @ChakaKhan, @GladysKnight, and @StephanieMills, my family and team, and the @BlackPromotersCollective and everyone who joined us for the Queen’s tour at the Barclays Center. And helped me to celebrate my 81st birthday. If only you knew how much I’d do, Do love you!”
After a successful show at the Barclays Center, LaBelle, Mills, Khan, and Knight will continue the Queens tour through fall 2025.
Due to high demand, there will be a second leg of the tour, beginning September 19 in Greensboro, North Carolina, and concluding on October 5 in Cleveland.
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