Angela Bassett has paid a touching tribute to Angela Bassett 30 years after her portrayal on the big screen.
Turner, who is regarded as a pioneer and icon of pop music, passed away on Wednesday after a long illness at the age of 83 at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.
The news was confirmed on Turner’s social media platforms, which included her official Instagram and Facebook pages.
While books, magazines and interviews have plentiful, actress Bassett, now 64, helped bring Turner’s incredible life story to the masses when she starred as the legendary singer in the biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It. (1993), which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
Bassett has always been open about her affection and respect for Turner. Upon learning of her death, Bassett reflected on the impact she had on her life and the world at large, while also sharing the powerful last words she said to her.
“How do we say goodbye to a woman who took her pain and trauma as her own and used it as a tool to change the world?” Bassett, 64, began in a heartwarming tribute shared on her Instagram page was posted.
Tribute: Angela Bassett, who became friends with Tina Turner after playing the legendary singer in the biopic ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’ (1993), shared a heartwarming tribute on Instagram when she died at the age of 83 on Wednesday years of her death
The two-time Oscar-nominated actress continued, “Through her courage to tell her story, her determination to stay the course in her life regardless of the sacrifices, and her determination to carve out a place in rock ‘n’ roll for herself “To others who look like her, Tina Turner showed others who lived in fear what a beautiful future full of love, compassion and freedom should look like.”
Bassett went on to reveal the heartwarming “last words” Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock) shared with her: “You never imitated me.” Instead, you dug deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world .”
The longtime leading lady admitted, “I will carry those words in my heart for the rest of my days.”
The New York native, who spent most of her youth living in Florida, later shared how honored she felt to have met Tina Turner.
“I’m honored to have helped bring her to the world.” Today, as we mourn the loss of that iconic voice and presence, she gave us more than we could ever have asked for. “She gave us her whole self,” she said of the “Better Be Good To Me” crooner.
She ended the post by offering even more praise while referencing a line from a Turner-many hit, The Best.
“And Tina Turner is a gift that will always be ‘just the best.’ “Angels sing you to your rest…Queen,” she concluded.
Iconic: Bassett received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Tina Turner in the biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It (1993), which also garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Actress
High praise: In her Instagram tribute, the actress praised Turner for “showing others who have lived in fear what a beautiful future full of love, compassion and freedom should be like.”
Hands on: Bassett revealed how Turner advised her on details of her interpretation for the biopic film, from wigs and outfits to dance styles and makeup
Adapted from Tina Turner’s autobiography I, Tina, 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 her Husband’s and music partner Ike Turner and their 16-year marriage that was fraught with violence and abuse.
Directed by Brian Gibson from a screenplay by Kate Lanier, the film 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 both critically and commercially successful, grossing $61 million upon its release in June 1993 on a budget of $15 million.
According to the New York Times, Bassett won the lead after beating out the likes of Halle Berry and Robin Givens.
And then, having just finished her last film, she only had a month to prepare before filming began.
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Before filming, Bassett met Turner twice, who would then advise her on the details of her interpretation, from wigs and outfits to dance styles. The music icon was also responsible for Bassett’s makeup, which is why the actress called her “supportive” and her “biggest fan.”
“We’re two southern girls,” Bassett told the publication at the time, laughing. “Tina is a black southern woman, and so am I. Tina was abused and I saw it.’ I know it.’
Bonafide Hit: The Biopic Film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $61 million on its June 1993 release on a budget of $15 million
Truly honored: Bassett would have the honor of inducting Tina Turner into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in October 2021
Bassett would eventually have the honor of inducting Tina Turner into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in October 2021. She was previously recorded in 1991 with her ex-husband Ike Turner.
Just last month, when asked how much she would like to be remembered, the Brownsville, Tenn., American native reaffirmed her desire to be seen as the queen of rock ‘n’ roll in an interview with The Guardian.
Her numerous other accolades include receiving 12 Grammy Awards, including eight competitive awards, three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
With over 100 million records sold worldwide, Tina Turner is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time.
Rolling Stone once called her “one of the greatest singers of all time”.