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Patti LaBelle Shares the Story Behind Kicking Off Her Heels
The iconic singer Patti LaBelle recently revealed a surprising origin story behind her signature move of kicking off her shoes during live performances.
Known for her electrifying stage presence, LaBelle explained that her infamous act was initially born out of necessity. During an appearance on the Sherri show, the 80-year-old R&B legend recounted her first experience with this spontaneous act, which was triggered by discomfort from her footwear.
“My corn was hurting the first time I ever did it,” LaBelle admitted to host Sherri Shepherd. This candid confession came after Shepherd inquired about LaBelle’s relationship with her shoes, particularly her habit of tossing them aside mid-performance. The singer revealed that she walked on stage in painful heels, which led her to seek immediate relief.
LaBelle elaborated, “I had bad feet and the corn hurt and I kicked the shoe off and then it felt good,” prompting laughter and applause from the audience. “The corn felt great, so I said, ‘Let me kick the other one off,’ and then my feet were free for the next 90 minutes.” This practical decision turned into a memorable aspect of her performances, blending functionality with the flair she is celebrated for.
Despite the initial motivation being comfort, LaBelle acknowledges that this moment may have unintentionally introduced an element of showmanship to her act. Nonetheless, she continues to wear stylish footwear, albeit with more consideration for her comfort. “I love those six-inch pumps I used to wear,” she reflected fondly, reminiscing about her glamorous past. “Honey, I was hot! But I can’t do it no more. [Even] five-inch I can’t do. I can do kitten heels.”
This summer, LaBelle is set to take the stage once again as part of The Queens tour, where she will perform alongside fellow legends Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, and Stephanie Mills. The tour, aptly titled “4 Legends, 1 Stage,” is a much-anticipated 20-date event kicking off in May. For fans looking to witness a blend of powerhouse performances, tickets for this extraordinary experience are available online. LaBelle’s full interview on Sherri can provide more insight into her journey and her life as a performer.
Source
www.rollingstone.com