How Tina Turner Got Bob Mackie to Help Create Her Classic Look: ‘Can We Make This Look Like a Cavewoman?’
Tina Turner’s sense of style was a big part of her career, both before and after she went solo
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty; Gai Terrell/Redferns/Getty
When Tina Turner was reinventing herself as a solo artist, she knew who to turn to for help bringing her vision to life.
Bob Mackie recalls working with the late singer during a pivotal moment in her life and career in the new documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion.
“She was in Hollywood, and she was appearing as a guest star by herself. And I go, ‘What’s going on?’ Evidently, she had left [her ex-husband and musical partner] Ike at that point, and she was like hiding out from Ike and moving from hotel to hotel with her assistant and doing these guest shots on The Sonny & Cher Show or The Cher Show and different things. And she was trying to make a career for herself,” he says.
Turner, who died in 2023 at age 83, worked with Mackie through her appearances on those shows and her friendship with Cher, and she enlisted his help.
“She got to know me because I was doing things on those variety shows and dressing her and she kind of went, ‘Oh, someone actually does this,’ ” he says.
Robin Platzer/IMAGES/Getty
“She would buy cheap evening gowns in Paris in these little shops. And they weren’t great, but she’d like the fabric and bring it in, like, ‘Can we make this look like a cavewoman?’ ” he recalls.
“I said, ‘Yeah sure. Can I cut this a little higher? Can I pull this over here?’ And we would redo these funny inexpensive evening dresses into Tina Turner outfits.”
Recalling his time with Turner, Mackie recalls her being “really fun.”
“She’ll have a couple of glasses of wine and tell you the best stories ever,” he said. “I loved watching her backstage. She’d throw a couple of Tylenols in and put her high heels on and hit the stage. It was just crazy.”
CBS via Getty
Mackie says Turner’s talent set her apart from the many who were trying to achieve greatness in the industry throughout her career.
“There’s certain people in this world that were born to be entertainers. They just are. They can’t help themselves. They’re just good. And she’s one of those,” he says.
“She just takes the audience and runs with it. Bette Midler is like that — there’s a lot of people like that. Cher kind of just stands there like, ‘Here I am. What do you think?’ But it’s a whole different attitude of performing.”
Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion is now playing in select theaters.
News
After a controversial game-changing call that sent the Chiefs to the Super Bowl, the NFL officially decides who will officiate the AFC Championship game. tt
NFL Makes Official Decision On Referees From AFC Championship Game Following Controversial Game-Changing Call That Sent The Chiefs To The Super Bowl AFC Championship Game (Photo via CBS) The NFL has made a decision on the referees who took charge…
After the Chiefs-Bills AFC Championship Game, irate NFL fans launch an online petition requesting that the league look into the referees. tt
Pissed Off NFL Fans Start Online Petition Calling For League To Investigate The Refs Following Chiefs-Bills AFC Championship Game Clete Blakeman and Patrick Mahomes (Photos via CBS and Getty Images) Angry NFL fans want the league to conduct an investigation…
VIDEO: After several incredibly bizarre calls from the NFL referees, social media is certain that the Bills-Chiefs AFC Championship game is “rigged.” tt
VIDEO: Social Media Is Convinced That Bills-Chiefs AFC Championship Game Is “Rigged” Following Multiple Incredibly Fishy Calls From The NFL Refs Clete Blakeman and Chiefs vs. Bills (Photos via CBS) Football fans are already convinced that the Kansas City Chiefs-Buffalo Bills AFC…
A significant update regarding the Minnesota Vikings CB’s death was released. Jackson, Khyree. tt
Major Update Released In The Death Of Minnesota Vikings CB Khyree Jackson Khyree Jackson (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Khyree Jackson was in the passenger seat of a Dodge Charger driven by former high school teammate Isaiah Hazel, with another…
After all the drama surrounding his fiancée, Leanna Lenee, Travis Hunter admits to being afraid and takes drastic measures. tt
Travis Hunter Takes Drastic Action After All The Drama Involving His Fiancée Leanna Lenee As He Admits To Being Afraid Travis Hunter (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images) NFL-bound cornerback Travis Hunter has revealed he’s taken some drastic action following all the drama…
VIDEO: As Shedeur Sanders was confronted about becoming a Cleveland Brown at the Shrine Bowl, cameras captured his uncomfortable response. tt
VIDEO: Cameras Caught Shedeur Sanders’ Uncomfortable Reaction After Being Confronted About Becoming A Cleveland Brown At The Shrine Bowl Shedeur Sanders (Photo via @KevinZuppe/X) Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders didn’t seem thrilled about possibly joining the Cleveland Browns. Sanders is tipped to be…
End of content
No more pages to load