Angela Bassett has paid touching tribute to Angela Bassett 30 years after portraying her on the big screen.
Turner, considered a trailblazer and icon of popular music, passed away on Wednesday at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland following a lengthy illness at the age of 83.
The news was confirmed on Turner’s social media platforms that included her official Instagram and Facebook pages.
While there were many books, magazines and countless interviews, actress Bassett, now 64, helped bring Turner’s incredible life story to the masses when she played the legendary singer in the biographical film What’s Love Got to Do With It (1993), which garnered her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Always open about her affection and respect for Turner, upon learning of her passing, Bassett reflected on the impact she had on her life and the world as a whole, while also sharing the powerful last words she said to her.
‘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?,’ Bassett, 64, began in a heartwarming tribute posted on her Instagram page.
Tribute: Angela Bassett, who became friends with Tina Turner after playing the iconic singer in the biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It (1993), shared a heartwarming tribute on Instagram upon learning of her death on Wednesday at the age of 83
The two-time Oscar-nominated actress 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.’
Bassett went on to reveal the heartwarming ‘final words’ Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock) shared with her: ‘You never mimicked me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world.’
The longtime leading lady confessed: ‘I shall hold these words close to my heart for the rest of my days.’
The New York City native, who spent most of her youth growing up in Florida, then shared how honored she was to have gotten to know Tina Turner.
‘I am humbled to have helped show her to the world. 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,’ she said of the Better Be Good To Me crooner.
She ended the posted by offering more high praise while referencing a line from one Turner many hits, The Best.
‘And Tina Turner is a gift that that will always be “simply the best.” Angels sing thee to thy rest…Queen,’ she concluded.
Iconic: Bassett received high praise and accolades for her performance as Tina Turner in the biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It (1993), which included a Best Actress Oscar nomination
High praise: In her Instagram tribute, the actress praised Turner for ‘showing others who lived in fear what a beautiful future filled with love, compassion, and freedom should look like’
Hands on: Bassett revealed how Turner advised her on details of her interpretation, from wigs and outfits to dancing styles and make-up, for the biopic film
Adapted from Tina Turner’s autobiography, I, Tina, which was written by Turner and Kurt Loder, What’s Love Got to Do With It chronicles the singer’s life growing up in Tennessee, her rise to stardom alongside husband and musical partner Ike Turner, and their 16-year marriage that was rife with violence and abuse.
The film, directed by Brian Gibson, from a screenplay by Kate Lanier, also starred Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner, as well as Cora Lee Day, Khandi Alexander, Jenifer Lewis, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Penny Johnson Jerald, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Chi McBride and Sherman Augustus, among many others.
The biographical drama was critically and commercially successful, grossing $61 million on a $15 million budget following its release in June 1993.
Bassett won the lead role after beating out the likes of such top actresses at the time as Halle Berry and Robin Givens, according to The New York Times.
And then, having just wrapped on her previous film, she only had one month to prepare before filming began.
The Malcolm X star used those four weeks to watch every available video clip of Turner that was available, while also reading her I, Tina memoir several times.
Ahead of the shoot Bassett got to meet Turner twice, who then proceeded to advise her on details of her interpretation, from wigs and outfits to dancing styles. The music icon also did Bassett’s make-up, leading the actress to call her ‘supportive’ and her ‘biggest fan.’
‘We’re two Southern girls,’ Bassett said with a laugh to the publication at the time. ‘Tina’s a black woman from the South, and so am I. Tina went through abuse, and I’ve seen it. I know it.’
Bonafide hit: The biopic film was critically and commercially successful, grossing $61 million against a $15 million budget following its release in June 1993
Truly honored: Bassett would end up having the honor of inducting Tina Turner into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame as a solo artist in October 2021
Bassett would end up having the honor of inducting Tina Turner into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame as a solo artist in October 2021. She had previously been inducted along with her ex-husband Ike Turner in 1991.
Just last month in an interview with The Guardian, the Brownsville, Tennessee native reiterated her desire to be considered the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, when asked how she would like to be remembered.
Her many other accolades include receiving 12 Grammy Awards, which include eight competitive awards, three Grammy Hall of Fame awards, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award,
Having sold over 100 million records worldwide, Tina Turner is considered one of the best-selling recording artists of all time.
Rolling Stone once named her ‘one of the greatest singers of all time.’
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