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Angela Bassett Mourns Tina Turner Recalling Her “Final Words” After Her Death | “Will Always Be Simply the Best”
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Angela Bassett Mourns Tina Turner Recalling Her “Final Words” After Her Death | “Will Always Be Simply the Best”

“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?”

Cover Image Source: (L) Getty Images | Photo by Jamie McCarthy; (R) Getty Images | Photo by Pascal Le Segretain

Angela Bassett believes she has carried a portion of Tina Turner in her spirit since her 1993 biopic. Turner, a renowned musician who first gained fame in the 1960s, passed away on May 24 at the age of 83 at her home in Switzerland, according to her publicist, Bernard Doherty.

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Bassett remarked in a statement provided to NBC News by her representative that "it's impossible to say goodbye to someone who was as impactful as Turner," per TODAY. In the tribute to the 'Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, Bassett included Turner's final words to her. “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,” she remembered.

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In the 1993 biopic What's Love Got to Do With It, Bassett played Turner, which led to her first Academy Award nomination. “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 asked. “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,” she said.

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Turner had penned an essay for TIME in April in honor of Bassett, who was listed as one of the year's 100 most influential individuals by the publication. Turner stated there that she was initially dubious of the Bassett-starring biography because she questioned whether anyone could sing and dance as well as she did. “She’s perfect,” Turner recalled thinking when she saw Bassett.

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In her statement, Bassett too urged people to connect with their inner Tina. "So today, while we mourn the loss of this iconic voice and presence, she gave us more than we could have ever asked," she said. "She gave us her whole self. And Tina Turner is a gift that will always be 'simply the best.' Angels, sing thee to thy rest…Queen."

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References:

https://www.today.com/news/tina-turner-last-words-angela-bassett-tribute-rcna86104

https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6269879/angela-bassett/

Cover Image Source: (L) Getty Images | Photo by Jamie McCarthy; (R) Getty Images | Photo by Pascal Le Segretain