Patti LaBelle’s friendship with Luther Vandross, a bond spanning decades and extending to caring for him until his death, has been overshadowed by a controversial portrayal in CNN’s documentary, “Luther: Never Too Much.” Insiders close to LaBelle express anger and dismay at the film’s depiction of her as a gossiping “villain,” a characterization they believe is unfair and inaccurate.
LaBelle participated extensively in the documentary, granting the producers an hour-long interview in her home. However, her interview was ultimately omitted after she refused to sign release forms without first viewing the final cut. This refusal stemmed from her concern over a 2017 “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” clip included in the film. In this clip, LaBelle discusses Vandross’s private life and his reluctance to publicly address his sexuality, a topic Vandross himself was notoriously private about.
The documentary juxtaposes this clip with an interview of Vandross’s songwriting partner, Richard Marx, who expresses frustration with those who discussed Vandross’s personal life. This, insiders claim, deliberately frames LaBelle negatively, despite her longstanding support and care for Vandross, which included hiring help to assist him after a stroke and providing support to his family. The film also includes footage of LaBelle’s moving performance at Vandross’s funeral, highlighting the stark contrast between her public mourning and her portrayal in the documentary.
The inclusion of the “Watch What Happens Live” clip, which even elicited boos from the audience at a Tribeca Film Festival screening, is particularly upsetting to LaBelle’s camp. They argue the film selectively used this moment to paint her in a negative light, ignoring her decades-long friendship and unwavering support. Sources even suggest some producers within the documentary team were uncomfortable with the inclusion of this clip and felt LaBelle’s request to review the final edit was reasonable.
Furthermore, LaBelle’s substantial contributions to Vandross’s life, including his early fandom of her and his frequent attendance at her Apollo Theater performances, are largely absent from the narrative. The documentary, therefore, presents an incomplete and, according to LaBelle’s representatives, a deliberately skewed portrayal of their complex relationship. To date, LaBelle, currently busy touring, has not yet seen the film.
CNN, which faced criticism for airing the documentary amidst a New Orleans terrorist attack, has declined to comment on the controversy surrounding LaBelle’s portrayal. Representatives for LaBelle and the Vandross estate have not yet responded to requests for comment.