Angela Bassett Reflects On Late Tina Turner's Last Words To Her

Angela Bassett has paid tribute to the late singer Tina Turner, whom she played in the biography movie "What's Love Got to Do with It."

The duo shared a close friendship since Bassett starred in the movie, which landed the actress an Oscar nomination. In her tribute, Bassett shared Turner's last words to her and praised the "Proud Mary" singer for her impact on the music industry.

Apart from Bassett, Turner, who died on Wednesday of an unnamed illness, has been mourned by several other A-listers on social media.

Keep on reading to learn more.

Following the death of Turner, Basset, who shared a close relationship with the iconic singer, mourned the massive loss to the music industry.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, she reflected on the last words from the late singer, whom she portrayed in the 1993 biography film, "What's Love Got to Do with It."

"Her final words to me — for me — were, 'You never mimicked me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world,'" said Basset, suggesting that Turner was pleased with her performance.

Bassett said she would forever cherish those "words for the rest of her days," adding that she was "honored" to have known the singer.

The actress also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to tell Turner's story alongside actor Lawrence Fishbourne, who played the singer's husband, Ike.

Most of "What's Love Got To Do With It" primarily focused on Turner's exponential rise in the music industry during the nineties and the abuse she experienced at the hands of her jealous husband, Ike.

The movie, which was only possible because Turner decided to own her pain and trauma, has impacted many, a fact Turner acknowledged in her tribute to the singer.

"How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it to help change the world," a part of Bassett's tribute read.

The actress also pointed out that Turner's "commitment to stay the course in her life, no matter the sacrifice, and her determination to carve out a space" for herself in the music industry" will continue to serve as a template for others.

She added, "Tina Turner showed others who lived in fear what a beautiful future filled with love, compassion, and freedom should look like."

On Wednesday, it was announced on Turner's official Instagram account that she had passed away at 83.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner," read the post, including a monochrome picture of the singer.

It continued, "With her music and boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans worldwide and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family."

Since her death, several celebrities have paid tribute to her on social media, such as Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Martha Stewart, Don Lemon, Magic Johnson, Piers Morgan, and Holly Robinson Peete.

Turner battled a long-term disease that ultimately led to her death, albeit it is still unknown what that sickness was. However, she acknowledged in March that a kidney disease had put her health in "great danger."

"My kidneys are victims of my not realizing that my high blood pressure should have been treated with conventional medicine," she said in a post on Instagram.

Turner was diagnosed with hypertension in 1978 but left the health issue unattended, which led to a stroke in 2009. Still, she refused to take conventional medicine but realized too late that the consequences of her decision were irreversible.

The "Proud Mary" singer is survived by her second husband, Erwin Bach, 67, and two of her four children.