Patti LaBelle Dances to Rhumba in New Video

Legendary soul singer Patti LaBelle did justice to the Rhumba with dance moves that folks half her age may not be able to pull off.

At 74, LaBelle can still move like a young woman, but things could have turned ugly if she didn’t make the most of a health scare many years ago.

The Shade Room took to Instagram some hours ago with a video of the singer having fun at what looked like a rehearsal. Rhumba filled the air and LaBelle, in an oversized red hoodie and matching leggings was making good use of it.

'I’ll have a bite of cheesecake or sweet potato pie—maybe two bites, maybe three'

The septuagenarian displayed superior legwork while moving to the beat and yelling excitedly now and then.

LaBelle’s strength and agility do not come by chance at her age, and she’s been quite open about the lifestyle changes adopted in the last few years.

About 20 years ago, the acclaimed “Godmother of Soul” collapsed on stage during a performance. LaBelle had to go to the doctor; something she was not too keen on.

“I never saw doctors,” she told Prevention in 2017. “I was afraid of what they might tell me.”

She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the same condition that cost LaBelle’s mother her life. That was the beginning of a new, healthier life for the “Lady Marmalade” singer.

“Being diagnosed [with diabetes] was a big wake-up call for me. Now I’m very aware of my health, and I tell my friends, “Go check yourself before you wreck yourself.” It’s important for us to know what’s in our bodies and how long we might be able to stay on this planet.”

Now, LaBelle is conscious about the food she eats and remains committed to exercising, even though she does not enjoy it.

“I do a lot of exercising—walking my dog and getting in the short end of the pool and walking because I can’t swim,” she shared. “I have fun playing cards on the weekends, so that’s a lot of exercise for my arms. And if music comes on that I like, I dance.”

LaBelle said she cooks her food, even when she’s on the road, and the fact that she’s known for her pies does not mean she binges.

“If I get my sugar below 100, I’ll have a bite of cheesecake or sweet potato pie—maybe two bites, maybe three. But I don’t go over my limit.”

Ms. LaBelle is putting in the work, and we see the results!