The 2024 Grammys brought together some of the most iconic figures in the music industry, and among them were two powerhouses: Oprah Winfrey and Fantasia Barrino. These two women, known for their immense talent and influence, joined forces to pay tribute to the legendary Tina Turner.
Oprah Winfrey, a media mogul and philanthropist, has long been an advocate for women's empowerment. Her presence on stage at the Grammys was a testament to her enduring impact on popular culture. Fantasia Barrino, an American Idol winner with a voice that can move mountains, perfectly embodied the spirit of Tina Turner with her soulful rendition of Turner's greatest hits.
To conclude the multi-performance In Memoriam segment at the Grammys, Winfrey took the stage to discuss the personal impact that Turner, who passed away last May at the age of 83, had on her after being a longtime fan, and how Turner’s legacy will continue to stand tall in popular music. “Tina’s voice continues to speak to all of us,” Winfrey told the arena crowd, before ceding the stage to multi-instrumentalist Adam Blackstone and Barrino.
“Tina Turner was always a towering figure,” Winfrey said as a guitarist started playing the iconic guitar riff for “Proud Mary” to back her. “She is our forever goddess of rock & roll, who inspired millions, a moving symbol of grace and grit, soul and power. Our love and respect for Tina grew as we witnessed her bravely reclaim her freedom. From the moment I met Tina, first as a fan, then later blessed to become her friend, she was a special kind of role model… And as those big wheels of time keep on turning, Tina’s voice continues to speak to all of us.”
The tributes were led by Stevie Wonder, who honored the late Tony Bennett with a medley of his songs. Annie Lennox joined the segment next, honoring the Sinéad O’Connor by singing “Nothing Compares 2 U.” Jon Batiste, introduced by Lenny Kravitz, celebrated music executive Clarence Avant, who Kravitz called the “Godfather of Black Music.”
Other performers through the show included Billy Joel, Billie Eilish, Burna Boy, Dua Lipa, Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Luke Combs, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Travis Scott, and U2.
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