Patti LaBelle and Elton John share a long history that dates back to their early careers, filled with laughter, music, and, as it turns out, a missing Tupperware.
LaBelle, the distinguished R&B and soul singer, recently unveiled a humorous tale about her famed friendship with the iconic musician during an appearance on the "Singers & Stories" segment of the "Sherri" show.
It seems that for LaBelle, the presence of her cherished Tupperware is steeped in the memories of shared meals and camaraderie - memories that John, now globally known for his vivacious performances and chart-topping songs, inadvertently disrupted.
As LaBelle recounted, her first interaction with John took place long before he became the Elton John we know today.
“He was my piano player in London for about a year,” LaBelle shared, reminiscing about the time when John was still known as Reginald Dwight.
She vividly described inviting the Bluesology band to her flat for a card game, where, in a twist of fate, she took all their “pounds” - their money - and later felt compelled to prepare a meal for the hungry musicians.
“They had no money to eat,” she explained, “so my Tupperware is very important to me - I don’t give it out.”
With a mix of light-heartedness, LaBelle revealed that she had to confront John years later for the return of her treasured Tupperware. “I said to Elton, ‘I want my durn Tupperware’,” she laughed, clearly still amused by the incident.
The narrative took a turn when LaBelle divulged that two years later, John reached out and invited her to one of his shows.
“I said, ‘Who are you opening for?’,” she recalled cheekily. Upon hearing John’s now-famous name, LaBelle exclaimed, “Ain’t that a witch? He made it before I did, right?!”
But the Tupperware tale didn’t end there.
In an evolution of their friendship, John eventually made amends for the culinary blunder during a special collaboration in 2005.
While working on LaBelle’s cover of his hit “Your Song” for her album “Classic Moments”, John took off one of his rings and placed it on the piano.
After their performance, LaBelle presented the ring back to its owner, and John jokingly quipped, “That’s your Tupperware.”
To this day, LaBelle treasures the magnificent ring, which she affectionately wears as a memento of their light-hearted exchange.
The bond between LaBelle and John is further showcased through an entertaining video from their performance, where LaBelle’s reaction to being gifted the ring speaks volumes - her surprise and delight paint a picture of the warm camaraderie shared between the two music legends.
Both LaBelle and John continue to thrive in their respective musical journeys.
LaBelle is gearing up for “The Queens” tour this summer alongside Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, and Stephanie Mills, while John has released a collaborative album titled “Who Believes in Angels?” with Brandi Carlile.
Their enduring friendship, punctuated by laughter and shared memories, serves as a reminder of the joy that music - and even Tupperware - can bring.
In a surprising twist of fate, the Tupperware brand itself is currently facing a potential revival.
After the American parent company filed for bankruptcy in 2024, leaving devoted fans disappointed, Cédric Meston, a French entrepreneur, announced plans to relaunch the beloved containers across Europe.
With Meston at the helm, Tupperware aims to return to retail by April 2025, offering a sense of hope to those who have cherished these resilient kitchen staples.
Meston’s ambitious plan includes a fresh marketing strategy and a wealth of new products, aiming for €100 million (about R1.98 billion) in revenue by the end of 2025.
As negotiations with the American parent company unfold, the passionate desire for Tupperware to make its triumphant return is palpable among enthusiasts.