Over the years, Patti Labelle’s made a name for herself in more ways than one. She’s an iconic singer who has sold millions of records and won tons of awards for her massive contributions to music. Nowadays, Patti has branched off from music with other successful ventures including her famous Patti Pies. The “If Only You Knew” singer is legendary in her own right, but there’s one thing she is not: a diva. During a recent interview with Pride Source, Patti opened up about a few issues fans have always wondered about, including her rivalry with Aretha Franklin and she’s made it clear she is not a diva, despite what people say.

Setting The Record Straight:

During the interview, Patti was asked about a few contradictions regarding the diva situation. Although Ms. Patti has said time and time again that she’s not a diva, she was featured on VH1’s Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night last year and Daytime Divas this year. Is it an obvious contradiction? Patti claims it’s not and she’s still not going to accept the title of “diva” because it’s for “all these little heifers who can’t sing.”

Here’s Patti’s full explanation about divas and “heifers”:

“If I do “Daytime Divas,” which I did, and if I did “Divas” the concert, of course, I’m gonna be in it, but I’m not saying, “I’m a diva.” People look to me and may see me as a diva and that’s a compliment to those who think it’s a compliment. Like I said, Lena Horne and Dinah Washington and all those beautiful dolls back in the day, they were divas. These little divettes walking around – I don’t wanna put myself in the same sentence with some of these little kids. So, I’m not a diva; just a singin’ fool.

War With Aretha?:

One of the biggest topics of discussion, during Patti’s interview, centered around something fans have been wondering about forever – her rumored rivalry with Aretha Franklin. For years, there have been memes about the so-called competitive streak between the legendary singers. Although Patti slammed the rumors a while back by saying Aretha is the one singer she’d love to do a duet with, many fans are still wondering if there was ever an issue between the two icons. Patti made it clear she refuses to be pitted against any woman in the music industry. She admitted she’s never had beef, but obviously, she can only speak for herself:

“I’m not gonna be pitted against any lady in this industry. I do my job, I sing hard and I sing well, and I love what I do,” Patti said. “If another lady finds that as being ‘too much’ for them, or whoever might feel I’m being too much, that’s their problem. But I’ve never had beef.”

The singer went on to say she could care less about who don’t like Patti. “Now, there are a lot of ladies in this industry who don’t care for Patti LaBelle – and some gentleman also – but I look at them and I smile. Because what can I do? I can’t change your mind, boo, because I don’t wanna change your mind. You go on thinkin’ about me the way you think. No – but I haven’t had beef with anyone. I’ve had a lot of dislikes. But I pay no mind. I keep moving and I don’t stop to talk about the ones who talk about me.”

Hmmm….y’all noticed how Patti was clear that she has beef with no one, but she didn’t necessarily say that Aretha didn’t have an issue with her though. LOL, just an observation ILOSM fam.’ Overall though, we love both Aretha and Patti, they are some SANGIN’ somebodies! We’ll just leave this one at that.