Los Angeles [US], May 26: Legendary singer Patti LaBelle marked her 81st birthday in style with a sold-out performance at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, as part of the ongoing Queens Tour, which also features Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, and Chaka Khan.
According to People, LaBelle embraced her milestone birthday early in the show, encouraging the crowd to celebrate aging with pride.
“Let me say something. I have so many people who are afraid to say how young they are,” she said to cheers. “Don’t be scared. 81 is wonderful, okay? Happy birthday.”
As her set neared its end, LaBelle was joined onstage by family and friends, including her son and longtime manager Zuri Kye Edwards, as well as Shelby Joyner and Walt Reeder Jr. of the Black Promoters Collective, the group behind the Queens Tour.
“We don’t take that for granted. We are such hardworking women,” LaBelle told the crowd. “I’ve been doing it for 65 years, and to still have people come to see our show — we are truly blessed.”
LaBelle gave a heartfelt shout-out to her crew and her son Zuri, who gifted her a luxurious Goyard Saigon bag onstage. As 50 Cent’s “In da Club” blasted through the speakers, a towering birthday cake was wheeled out with a message that read:
“Happy birthday to the Godmother. Cheers to 81 [years] young.”
The Grammy winner also shared touching moments and photos from her celebration on Instagram, offering fans a glimpse into the memorable night.
The Queens Tour, which began on May 9 in Las Vegas, will continue with its next stop in Chicago on May 30, just two days after Gladys Knight turns 81 on May 28.