Theater-goers at the Tina Turner musical Wednesday evening “were moved to tears” during the interval by news of the singer’s death.
The cast of the West End musical gathered backstage to inform the auditorium of the Aldwych Theater in central London of the singer’s passing.
An actor told the crowd, “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Tina Turner passed away today.”
“Words cannot express the feelings of our company, so we look at each other and we look to you, in this moment, right now, to tell the remarkable story of this woman.”
Abi Garrido, 25, from Newcastle, told MailOnline that “you could feel the emotion in the air” during the second half of the show.
She said: “It didn’t feel real, I just burst into tears. It was such a shock. I was sitting near the front so I could watch the cast and crew cry, it was a surreal experience. I felt so sorry for them.” Realized, I couldn’t do it.”
Another member of the audience said: “We were enjoying the first half of the show and then the news came at the interval.
“My son was with me and he said, ‘You won’t believe this. Tina Turner has passed away’. It was a jaw-dropping moment.
Known as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Turner died at the age of 83 after a long illness at her home in Kusnacht, near Zurich, Switzerland.
Former US President Barack Obama said that Turner was “Raw, Powerful and Unstoppable”,
She added, “She herself was not apologetic – speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain, triumph and tragedy.”
“Today we join fans around the world in honoring the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and a star whose light will never fade.”
Beyoncé shared a tribute to Tina Turner on her website, along with a photo of the pair’s 2008 duet at the Grammy Awards.
“My dear queen. I love you dearly,” she said.
Singer and actress Cher described her as “one of the great artists” of his generation.
“There no one else like him, There was no other person who could even come close to him,” she told MSNBC.
Turner, who rose to global fame with soulful hits including River Deep – Mountain High, The Best and What’s Love Got to Do With It, overcame early adversity and overcome domestic abuseTo become one of the most loved singers in the world.
Fellow singer Gloria Gaynor described Turner as an “iconic legend”. paved the way for so many women in rock musicBlack and White” and Mariah Carey recalled a “trailblazer and survivor” who was an inspiration to women.
Diana Ross said she was “shocked and saddened” by the news of Turner’s death, while Sir Elton John paid tribute to the “total legend on record and on stage”.
Rolling Stone’s Sir Mick Jagger, who dueted with Turner during Live Aid in 1985, spoke of his sadness at the news of her death.
“She was truly an extremely talented artist and singer. She was inspirational, warm, funny and generous. She helped me a lot when I was young and I will never forget her,” he said.
US President Joe Biden called her “one of the most successful recording artists of all time”.
He added: “Jill and I send our love and prayers to my husband Irwin, the rest of the Turner family and fans around the world who are mourning today for the woman they agree was the best.” Was.”
Oprah Winfrey remembered the singer as “our everlasting goddess of rock ‘n’ roll who was a role model not only to me but to the world”.
Echoing this sentiment, pop singer Christina Aguilera said she was “deeply saddened” by the loss of Turner.
“How can we bid farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world?” Said Angela Bassett, who played Turner in the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It?
In a statement shared with CNN, Turner’s family said: “The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll Tina Turner passed away peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness at her home in Kusnacht, near Zurich, Switzerland It is done.
“With him, the world lost a musical legend and a role model.”
