By, Sherie Holder- Olutayo
THE DICTIONARY definition of diva ranges from "distinguished woman singer"; "goddess"; "fine lady" or a woman of rare outstanding talent. However, today, when you hear the term "diva" you automatically associate its other connotations as well: someone who is high-maintenance, fussy and desires the stage or spotlight. And when you're talking about Patti LaBelle, you realise that all the labels do apply.
She is a tried and true diva and proud of it.
Take last Saturday at the Crane Resort, as the media and other dignitaries were anxiously gathered in the ballroom, awaiting the arrival of the woman who has thrilled audiences for more than four decades with her unwavering energy and over-the-top costumes and hairstyles. If you think that at 63, she'd be tired and craving retirement, think again.
After all, her career has blossomed since the late 1950s when she arrived on the scene as part of a girl group called the BlueBelles, with Cindy Birdsong, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash. After changing her name from Patricia Louise Holt to LaBelle, a star was born. After she left the group in the 70s, her solo career skyrocketed with regular hits on the pop and R&B charts. She has dabbled in acting on the silver screen, stage and television and has penned four books and contributed to numerous humanitarian causes along the way.
In typical diva fashion, Patti was a tad late — make that fashionably late — as she arrived decked out in stunning black Donna Karan dress, with white sunglasses and a sparkling diamond pendant necklace, flanked by bodyguard, assistants and makeup artist in tow, who eagerly touched up her face before the interviews and closeups got underway. Yes indeed, a celebrity was in the house.
Later at the dinner at the Barbados Hilton, Patti said, "I come with a glam squad because I'm fabulous, honey."
But in terms of attitude, demeanour and spirit, Patti LaBelle was personable, jovial and a joy to be around. But perhaps it was the commitment to the cause of cancer that drew her to Barbados to lend her name and support, in conjunction with the Silent Majority Foundation and the Barbados Breast Cancer Foundation.
Patti's affiliation with the disease can be deemed too familiar and all too tragic. She lost all three of her sisters, Viviane, Barbara and Jackie, to cancer before the age of 44. Her brother died of colon cancer. She lost her mother to diabetes, a disease Patti herself couldn't escape and battles daily.
"Diabetes ... oh girl, I can't eat no more fried chicken, no more macaroni and cheese. I can make it for everybody and I still will steal one piece, then I'll do more insulin," Patti told Easy magazine. "There is a way to cheat," she says laughing.
"I have to take insulin six times a day, I have to stick myself and take the pills. But I'm going to get rid of this," she adds emphatically.
It is her faith that has sustained her through some of the darkest moments of her life. It is her faith and belief in God that keep her even now.
"I know that every day I wake up is a blessing, and everyday I wake up I have something new on my table, a new movie, a new album deal. So if it wasn't for God, some of these things wouldn't happen," she says soberly. "They don't happen to a lot of women my age. I'm 63 years young. It's all about somebody bigger than you and I and I know it. A lot of people think it's because they're so good that this had to happen to you. Honey, it does not have to happen to you."
What has happened to Patti over the years is that because of the personal tragedies she has suffered, she has become ardent in the causes she supports, particulary those in the area of health.
Along with jumping at the opportunity to support the Silent Majority Breast Cancer Foundation and the Barbados Cancer Society in their fundraising and awareness efforts, she was delighted to have a starring role in the Lifetime movie, "Why I Wore Red Lipstick To My Mastectomy."
"The movie showed me what my sisters went through before they all died before the age of 44. Being in that chair pretending to have chemo was awesome," she said. "They pretended I had no hair and I know how that is because my sisters lost their hair and the pain. Being a diabetic, I don't have pain, but I am cautious about this. One mistake in your medicine you can go low blood sugar or go high blood 8sugar and it's over, so you can't play with it."
Coming to Barbados, Patti refused to accept any monies for her appearance. She did it because she believed in the cause.
"I have to do these things because it makes so many people happy and I've touched so many people and I do things for cancer and diabetes and whatever I can do to touch lives," she says. "As long as I can look in that mirror at night and say I made myself proud that's what matters."
But when it comes to the person who has made Patti proud over the years, it would be her son. While she has adopted and raised her sister's children, she has one biological son from her 32-year marriage.
"I wasn't really a mother on duty all the time. I was married for 32 years, divorced now for 10, but my husband was the mother. I came is as the weekend mother and I felt so guilty I would give him everything he wanted, but he didn't want anything. He wanted me. He wasn't materialistic, he's grounded and I'm so proud of that."
With her son and the work that she's done over the years, Patti has built a career she can be proud of and young artists can only envy — because she has become a legend and an icon in and industry where many have been forgotten.
"The key to my staying power is just really never giving up and not letting anybody take my place," she says with confidence. "If you move away from this industry for a bit, there's somebody waiting in the wings to take your place. I'm not giving up my spot."
From The Nation Newspaper
