Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 15, 2025 · Entertainment

Patti LaBelle Reveals 1980s Plastic Surgery Pressure from a 'Mean' Manager

Patti LaBelle just confessed she succumbed to industry pressure to undergo a certain plastic surgery procedure in order to further her singing career in the 1980s (pictured in 1979)

THE SISTAS' SECRET: PATTI LABELE EXPOSES INDUSTRY PRESSURE & THE DANGERS OF GOING UNDER THE KNIFE

In a shocking revelation, legendary R&B singer Patti LaBelle has come clean about the dark secret she kept hidden for decades - her decision to undergo plastic surgery in order to further her music career. The 81-year-old icon made the jaw-dropping confession on The Breakfast Club last Friday, leaving fans and fellow celebrities stunned.

LaBelle revealed that she was pressured by a manager to change her appearance, specifically her nose, which he deemed "not cute." According to the Godmother of Soul, this industry pressure led her to visit the home of her current tourmate, Stephanie Mills, whose own rhinoplasty was performed by none other than Michael Jackson's infamous surgeon, Dr. Steven Hoefflin.

The 81-year-old R&B belter recalled on The Breakfast Club last Friday: 'It was a manager I had back in the day. A white gentleman...I said,

"I had a manager back in the day," LaBelle recounted, "a white gentleman who would say, 'My God!' whenever I sang." When she jokingly asked if it was okay to keep her natural nose, he responded with cruel indifference. The final straw came when LaBelle visited Mills' home and saw the results of her own rhinoplasty.

"I said, 'I'm going to try that!'" LaBelle recalled, matter-of-factly explaining why she ultimately decided to go under the knife.

The Breakfast Club host Charlamagne tha God was left stunned by the revelation, admitting he had no idea either LaBelle or Mills had undergone plastic surgery. The usually stoic Patti responded with a characteristic dose of sass: "This wasn't cute."

Patti finally decided to go ahead with refining her 'big nose' after visiting the home of her current Queens Tourmate Stephanie Mills (L), whose own rhinoplasty was performed by Michael Jackson's surgeon Dr. Steven Hoefflin

Meanwhile, Chaka Khan fired back at rumors she had received a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) with a resounding denial. "How long has my butt been like this? My whole life," Khan clapped back, her signature confidence and defiance shining through.

"You could not cut me for nothing! Hell naw!"

LaBelle's candid confession has sparked a heated conversation about the pressures of the music industry and the dangers of conforming to unrealistic beauty standards. As the legendary singer embarks on the second leg of her 20-date The Queens: 4 Legends, 1 Stage Tour with fellow icons Stephanie Mills, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight, fans are eager to see if they will spill more T on Sunday night's episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.

Mills noted of her late ex-flame (pictured in 1990): 'I think Michael got a little addicted...And Natalie [Cole], she had one too, God bless her soul. All of them do it. You know, all of the girls do it'

Patti LaBelle has sold over 50 million records worldwide, earning her a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame. But even with all her accolades, it seems she was not immune to the pressures of the industry.

The two-time Grammy winner averages an impressive 1.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, but now her fans are left wondering - what other secrets is LaBelle hiding? Will the rest of the Queens join in on the conversation and reveal their own plastic surgery experiences?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Patti LaBelle's unflinching honesty has left us talking. As she takes to the stage alongside her fellow legends this Friday at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, NC, fans can't help but wonder - what other surprises does The Godmother of Soul have in store for us?

LaBelle (born Holte) explained: 'I think it did because it was more pleasant to some people. I mean, [my old nose] was fine with me, but when I saw my girlfriend [Stephanie], I said,

In related news, Patti LaBelle is still busy running her successful company, Patti's Good Life, which sells a range of food, beverages, condiments, and housewares. The singer has long been known for her entrepreneurial spirit, but it seems even she was not immune to the pressures of conforming to beauty standards.

The scandal raises important questions about the music industry and its treatment of female artists. Are record labels and managers still pressuring women to undergo plastic surgery in order to succeed? And what does this say about our society's obsession with youth, beauty, and perfection?

Only time will tell if Patti LaBelle's bold confession sparks a much-needed conversation about these issues, but one thing is certain - The Godmother of Soul has once again proven she is the real deal.

The Breakfast Club host Charlamagne tha God (L) marveled that he had no idea either of them had gone under the knife

Sources:

  • "The Queens: 4 Legends, 1 Stage Tour" Press Release (thescholarlynote.com)
  • Patti LaBelle's official website (pattilabelle.com)

'Chile, I had to,' the Godmother of Soul scoffed. 'This wasn't cute'

Meanwhile, Chaka Khan (R) vehemently denied ever having a BBL (Brazilian butt lift): 'You could not cut me for nothing! Hell naw!'

Philly-born Patti, Stephanie, and Chaka will spill more T on Sunday night's episode of the Bravo talk show, Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

LaBelle, Mills, Khan, and Gladys Knight are scheduled to kick off the second leg of their 20-date The Queens: 4 Legends, 1 Stage Tour this Friday at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, NC