With a velvety voice that could give you goosebumps by hitting just the right note, Luther Vandross is responsible for some of the sexiest songs in modern pop music history.
But the sad reality is that the late, great soul and R&B singer-songwriter spent much of his life alone, waiting to find that special someone, someone worth singing about.
Though warm and gregarious on stage, Vandross kept his private life very private. It wasn’t until after his untimely passing in 2005, at 54, that folks began to talk more pointedly about the rumors surrounding his sexuality: Was he gay?
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In a 2006 investigative report from Out titled “The Secret Gay Life Of Luther Vandross,” his longtime friend Bruce Vilanch said the star told him he was “in the life,” and even alleged he was in a relationship with another man throughout the ’80s and early ’90s.
Then in 2017, Vandross’s friend Patti LaBelle acknowledged he was, indeed, gay, but chose to stay closeted out of fear over how it could impact his career.
Her comments, in particular, sparked an outrage over “outing” someone against their will. Sure, Vandross had passed many years prior, but was it really Miss LaBelle’s place to speak on something he was intentionally keeping secret?
And therein lies the question: Is it possible to talk about the importance of Luther Vandross’s incredible career for the LGBTQ+ community—and, in particular, Black, queer men—while respecting the fact that he’s no longer here to speak for himself?
That is just one of the many angles explored in the upcoming documentary Luther: Never Too Much, which explores the breadth of the acclaimed singer’s unprecedented legacy and gives the hit-maker and culture-shifter his long-overdue flowers.
Related*
Before becoming a legendary R&B king, Luther Vandross was a funky ‘Hot Butterfly’
To this day, Vandross’ version of “Hot Butterfly” remains an artifact from the career and the sound he explored before he became the centerpiece of soul that defined his career.
Taking its name from Vandross’ debut album and super-sexy breakthrough single, director Dawn Porter’s (John Lewis: Good Trouble) film recounts his incredible life story, as told by many of his closest friends, contemporaries, admirers, and scholars—including names like LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, and Mariah Carey.
Never Too Much delves into the singer’s NYC upbringing, where he fell in love with music at a young age, his early days as a backup singer to stars like David Bowie & Bette Midler, his major solo artist breakthrough in the ’80s, the fatal car accident that nearly took his life, his lifelong struggles with weight, his emotional 2004 Grammy win for “Dance With My Father,” his tragic death, and the long tail of his influence on the music industry.
On top of all of that, Porter was very intentional in how she approached to topic of Vandross’ sexuality:
“On the one hand, nobody should be outed. On the other hand, don’t you just wish Luther could live in 2024? The world has really changed,” she told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year. “So, I feel comfortable respecting his choice but saying that that was a struggle. The conversation around his sexuality was always a conversation that he struggled with, just like he struggled with his weight and his lack of love.”
Luther: Never Too Much premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, and will next receive a nationwide special engagement preview in theaters on October 30, before opening in select theaters on November 1.
Check out the documentary’s official trailer below:
Related*
Madonna adds, then awkwardly removes, Luther Vandross from the AIDS memorial part of her show
Vandross died in 2005 of complications following a stroke two years earlier, says his estate.
Jim
Does it really matter?
Thad
Luther Vandross had “weight swings,” gaining and losing weight over the years. The rumors were that the weight losses were attempts to get a new man…and the weight gains were when he was happy in a relationship. I won’t swear to these reasons, but no denying his yo-yo weight was unhealthy.
richardmirwin
Luther felt bound to keep his secret from the public for two reasons: First was the fear of disappointing his two sisters, and, especially, his mother. Second, his business manager guaranteed him that it would cost him six to eight million dollars in lost ticket and album sales. Everyone in his personal and professional world knew he was gay and always did from the time he first came onto the scene; backing up David Bowie, Roberta Flack and Aretha Franklin in the 1970’s. The young man who died when he crashed his car on Laurel Canyon Blvd was his boyfriend. I worked for him redecorating his house and we had numerous friends in common. He was very disciplined in how he conducted his life and his friends all understood his need to keep his life compartmentalized. He was completely out to his friends…I got a big, wet kiss from him more than once. It was so sad to lose such a great talent at such a young age.
Huron132
I do miss his voice and the many more songs he would have sang. We don’t know how he truly felt about his life and how he lived. He lived like the rest of the people in this world. Each day as we do, there were ups and downsjust like everyone else. Yes it was obvious he was gay but , it was not important. His kind words and beautiful songs he sang were important.
wiggie
Black America knew Luther was gay. It was an open secret.