Patti LaBelle Criticizes CNN's Vandross Documentary

Patti LaBelle is expressing anger and heartbreak over her portrayal in CNN's documentary 'Luther: Never Too Much,' which aired on New Year's Day. LaBelle, who had a close friendship with the late R&B singer Luther Vandross, feels that she was unfairly depicted as a 'villain' for discussing his sexuality, which he kept private. Despite providing an hour-long interview for the documentary, her insights were excluded because she refused to sign release forms after being denied a final cut preview. Instead, producers used a 2017 clip where LaBelle discussed Vandross's struggles with coming out, framing her as someone who gossiped about him. Richard Marx, Vandross's songwriting partner, also criticized those who spoke publicly about Vandross's personal life, further complicating LaBelle's portrayal. The documentary concluded with Vandross's own reflections on his sexuality, emphasizing his right to privacy regarding such matters.