(Photo Credits: Screengrab from Luther Vandross’s Official YouTube Account)
Was Luther Vandross gay? A new documentary examines his remarkable career and the complexities of his personal journey.
The documentary Luther: Never Too Much, directed by Dawn Porter and executive produced by Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner, and Jon Platt, takes viewers on a heartfelt journey through the life and career of legendary R&B singer Luther Vandross. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2024, the film dives into Vandross’ musical legacy, his personal struggles, and the enduring speculation about his sexuality. Featuring appearances from stars like Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, and others, the documentary is slated to air on CNN, OWN, and Max in 2025. The documentary will be shown in a special nationwide preview in theaters on October 30, followed by a wider release in select theaters on November 1.
Born on April 20, 1951, in New York City, Luther Vandross emerged as one of the greatest voices in R&B and soul music. His incredible vocal talent and ability to connect emotionally with his audience made him a beloved figure in the music industry. Vandross delivered timeless hits such as Never Too Much, Dance with My Father, and Here and Now, solidifying his place as an R&B legend. Throughout his career, he won eight Grammy Awards—including Song of the Year in 2004 for Dance with My Father—and collaborated with top artists like Roberta Flack, Dionne Warwick, and David Bowie.
Although Luther Vandross never publicly came out, speculation about his sexuality persisted throughout his life. In 2017, Vandross’s friend Patti LaBelle revealed that Vandross was indeed gay, but he chose to hide his sexuality, worried it might “upset the world”
Though Vandross remained private about his romantic relationships, he had deep personal and professional bonds with many people in the industry. His legacy is marked by his kindness, humor, and dedication to his craft. However, Vandross’ later years were overshadowed by health issues. In 2003, he suffered a severe stroke that left him in a coma for nearly two months. He passed away on July 1, 2005, at the age of 54, due to complications from the stroke.
Luther: Never Too Much pays tribute to a man whose voice shaped modern R&B and soul music. His music continues to resonate with fans across generations. As the documentary receives a nationwide release in theaters later this year, fans will have the chance to celebrate the life and artistry of Luther Vandross once more.
Watch Luther: Never Too Much’s trailer below:
Luther is one of my favorite singers, I connected with his songs more than any artist. He will be remembered for his vocals and love songs… but to me his legacy is his songs about longing, unrequited love, loneliness. In the course of my own love life, I have often sought solance from those songs. Songs like, “Superstar” “Love forgot” “You stopped loving me” “Give me the reason” “Any love” “It’s over now” “House is not a home” There are so many more! As far as his sexuality, it’s quite well known he was gay… but you have to remember… Read more »
Couldn’t have been said any better or to completion.
I just think it’s so sad when a community has one with such a gift of talent; has to judge to the point, within his own ethnic tribe, that he’d have hide like that, it’s shameful ignorance considering what ‘we’ as African Americans go through, talk about hypocritical.
There isn’t and won’t be quite another voice like his.
I agree with you both!! To me, he didn’t seem happy. Never seen him really smile. Celebrities like Luther and Oprah battled with weight for years and years. Plus being closeted probably added to his misery.
Barry White was termed “The Walrus Of Love”!
Food was a way he comforted himself, then when he liked someone he would lose weight… when he had setbacks in those relationships, he would turn to good again.
his father died from the cumulative effects of diabetes so the genetic propensity was already there
yes, food for me is also a comfort when i feel down in da dumps, depressed and miserable
AGREED!……..
ONE OF THE BEST SINGERS TO GRACE US……….
Very well stated. It’s his music his voice his love of family that matters.
the man has a right to his privacy, he didn’t need to tell us anything else except just sing for us, he did his job well, that’s what we need to be thankful for, his voice and gift of song, honey
he admitted that his musical heritage was heavy influenced by Dionne Warwick, The Supremes and Diana Ross. he stated that in grammar school he would sing to The Supremes and later, in high school, to Diana Ross. he sang back-up for Diana Ross in the 1970s. he loved “the girls”!
“He loved the girls” true, ‘we’ do you know, those of us who’s mothers raised us and, in the church, etc., it’s a healthy love and utter respect of women, it just wasn’t a sexual, love he had for them, like many of us.
He was a product of the time in which he lived. Had had lived another 10 or 15 years, he would have been in a world more accepting of his sexuality and could well have been comfortable with revealing it.
doesn’t really matter what his sexuality is, he was put on this Earth to entertain people, to sing for the people, to make music for the people .. what he does in his bedroom, behind closed doors, was really his own and none of yo damn bizness, honey! yes, it was mentioned and said he was gay and closeted (via Patti Labelle’s confirmation of such) .. however, some people like to keep their personal lives just that, personal and private .. i think one’s personal life shouldn’t have to be checklisted, pounced and trolled upon, spied, snooped on and surveilanced… Read more »