Stars Pay Tribute to Tina Turner: ‘You Were Simply the Best’

Tributes from fans and celebrities alike poured in Wednesday following news of the death of Tina Turner’s death. She was 83.

The “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” passed away in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, according to her manager.

From Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger to NBA legend Magic Johnson, celebs from the world of music, sports and movies all lauded Turner as a revolutionary performer, trailblazer and “cultural icon.”

Jagger says he’s saddened after hearing about the passing of his friend Turner, who he performed with in 1985.

Actress Angela Bassett, who earned an Oscar nomination for her role as Turner in her biopic “What’s Love Got to Do With It?,” wrote on Instagram:

“How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world? Through her courage in telling her story, her commitment to stay the course in her life, no matter the sacrifice, and her determination to carve out a space in rock and roll for herself and for others who look like her, Tina Turner showed others who lived in fear what a beautiful future filled with love, compassion, and freedom should look like,” Bassett said in part.

Angela Bassett is mourning the loss of Tina Turner. The legendary singer died on Wednesday at the age of eighty three after a long illness in her Switzerland home, her rep confirmed to Access Hollywood.

Former President Barack Obama called Turner “powerful” and “unstoppable,” and commended her for “speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy.”

Tina Turner was raw. She was powerful. She was unstoppable. And she was unapologetically herself—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 and Roll, and a star whose light will never… pic.twitter.com/qXl2quZz1c

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 24, 2023

Here are some other notable stars who took to social media to celebrate Turner’s musical legacy:

I am so, so very sad to hear of the passing of @TinaTurner, the iconic legend who paved the way for so many women in rock music, black and white. She did with great dignity & success what very few would even have dared to do in her time and in that genre of music 🕊 #TinaTurner pic.twitter.com/HrcJj7PltI

— Gloria Gaynor (@gloriagaynor) May 24, 2023

A true legend has passed. Tina Turner has died at the age of 83. She was our River Deep and our Mountain High, the Private Dancer in our hearts. She showed us that love really does has everything to do with it, and that we really did need another hero. And she was it. Rest now,…

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 24, 2023

Tina Turner — LEGEND. What a life, what a career, what a comeback, what an impact. I hate doing Twitter RIPs but R I P.

Also — I think “What’s Love Got To Do With It” is one of the best songs ever.

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This was one of the great 80s pop culture mergers…https://t.co/jDwWqwnI4n

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 24, 2023

Tina would have so much energy during her performances and was a true entertainer. She created the blueprint for other great entertainers like Janet Jackson and Beyoncé and her legacy will continue on through all high-energy performing artists. Cookie and I are praying for her… pic.twitter.com/tFpWfj8clC

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 24, 2023

Even White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was quick to react to the news, calling it “a massive loss.”