Beautiful simply does not describe the incomparable force known to the world as Patti LaBelle. As time continues to evolve, the soulful songbird’s name has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance and class. Belting out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets have created the unique platform of versatility that she is known and revered for.
It’s a small wonder that LaBelle has time for anything else in between recording and touring, but she makes time and the world is oh so happy that she does! She has written six books, Don’t Block the Blessings, LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About, Patti’s Pearls, Patti LaBelle’s Lite Cuisine, Recipes for the Good Life and her most recent, Desserts LaBelle. Several years ago, she introduced Patti’s Good Life, a successful product line that includes a variety of sauces, sweet potato pie, cobblers and cakes, available at Walmart.
Starring in her own highly rated cooking show, “Patti LaBelle’s Place,” which premiered its second season on the Cooking Channel in 2017, LaBelle also starred in Hallmark Channel’s “Christmas Everlasting” last year. Additionally, she released her first jazz album, Bel Hommage, and a holiday album, Patti LaBelle and Friends - Home for the Holidays, produced on her own record label, GPE Records. And most recently, she expanded the Patti’s Good Life line to include frozen comfort foods such as macaroni & cheese, greens, beef brisket and cornbread.
World renowned for her dynamic career as an entertainer and entrepreneurial success, LaBelle’s work as a humanitarian is just as legendary. She remains an advocate for adoption, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS and many other causes and non-profit initiatives. While she has reached the heights of success throughout her 50-plus year career, Patti has also endured and survived personal strife. Within a 10-year period, she lost her mother, three sisters and best friend to diabetes and cancer. In 1994, she was diagnosed with diabetes and shortly thereafter became a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.
The same motivation that had Patricia Louise Holte blossom from a choir member to lead vocalist for Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles and later Labelle, to a solo artist is the same energy that keeps her fire burning at seventy-five years young. “Each year I grow, and that’s a blessing from God. I do what I can do. I do what I feel God has given me the energy to do,so Ijust go out there and I do it...It’s not about making money because I don’t need money, but I need to sing. With a voice or without, I’ve got to get on that stage.” And the world is thankful that Patti’s voice sounds so good to our ears.
