Legend Tina Turner has come out of retirement after seven years to launch her musical, but admits: “I didn’t want to do it”.
The 77-year-old star, who is rarely seen in public, took to the stage in London to unveil the new production, called Tina, about her life.
And she confessed to enjoying being out of the limelight to catch up on her sleep and decorating her house, in Switzerland.
She said: “This is going to be a little difficult. I don’t (want this to happen). I don’t need a musical, I don’t need another show.”
And she said of her time away from the spotlight: “I am sure you all want to know what I have been doing in retirement for the last seven years.
“I am very excited to be a part of this. This took me out of retirement. Retirement is wonderful, it’s easy to sleep long. Do what you want, decorate the house two of three times. Easy things that you dreamed about when you were working.”
But the singing superstar, whose last concert was in 2009 as part of her 50th anniversary tour, said that her fans persuaded her to come back.
“I get cards and letters. People say I gave them hope. It means so much to people
I have to pass it on. I really want it to be a success . I hope it will travel the world and serve what that the people need, from me as a reminder of my work.”
The star took to the stage at the Hospital Club in London in flats – a far dry from her famous killer heels.
But her voice sounded as amazing as ever as she joined the actress.
Adrienne Warren who will portray her in musical, to sing a few verses of Simply the Best and Proud Mary.
Tina said of Adrienne: “Its really interesting finding another Tina. I have found one. She has to sing. She can sing. She will do the dancing. She is pretty. We are giving it a try.”
She added of their performance: ”I wore my flat shoes so we could (dance). I told her she looked like my sister, but prettier.”
Tina also reflected on some of the tough themes set to be explored in the musical, including her relationship with abusive husband Ike.
“There were many times when I got knocked out. Sometimes I stood on stage and had pain that you cannot imagine. Black eye, swollen nose. But you had to plough through it, you had to suffer through it.
“We weren’t cancelling shows because we needed the money It was plane, bus, car. The stage. Partying every night. Sometimes it was what you have to do.”
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, Tina will open at the Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End in April 2018.
Tina Turner rose to fame in the 1960s partnering with her then-husband Ike.
Later, Turner enjoyed an international solo career with her 1984 album Private Dancer
She went on to deliver more chart-topping albums and hits, receiving a further eight Grammy Awards and reportedly selling more concert tickets than any other solo performer in history.