‘Disrespectful’: Festival Under Attack After Patti Labelle ‘Struggles’ and Gasps for Water During Performance Video

The good people of Sacramento, California, were thrilled to see R&B legend Patti LaBelle take center stage at their annual state fair. The singing icon, who turned 80 years old earlier this year, was set to headline the Toyota Concert Series at the 2024 California State Fair on Saturday, July 20. Despite extensive promotion and marketing efforts to draw fans to the Golden 1 Stage, no one prepared for the scorching weather to be a challenge to their special musical guest. Patti Labelle struggles to sing while asking for water during performance. (Photo: @mspattilabelle/Instagram.) The high temperature of the day peaked at 103 degrees, and it was still 88 degrees by the time the veteran singer took the stage for the 8 p.m. showtime. Like the consummate professional she is, LaBelle pushed through. However, during one of her most iconic songs, she became noticeably parched. A TikTok video captures the moment when LaBelle with her voice scratchy and strained, pleaded for “water” in the middle of singing “Somebody Loves You Baby.” Audience members expressed immediate concern. One person yelled, “Lord Jesus.” Another person said, “You about to go viral.” Eventually, someone asked, “Is she OK?” and another voice acknowledged the...