Larry King Once Commented on Tina Turner’s Undergarments
The world continues to mourn the loss of longtime talk show host Larry King. King estimated he did over 40,000 interviews throughout his career, and he spoke to everyone from presidents to award-winning actors and artists. In all that time, King also had several memorable moments both on and off screen, including with the Queen of Rock ‘n Roll, Tina Turner.
Larry King interviewed many big-name artists throughout his career
King’s career as a radio host first took off in Miami in the 1950s. By the time he launched his show Larry King Live in the mid-1980s, he was one of the most respected interviewers in the business.
King was an admirer of the hard work that musicians put into their craft, and he had the opportunity to speak with some of the most legendary names in music throughout his career. His interview with Prince, for example, remains an iconic moment in both of their careers. He also spoke with industry figures from Frank Sinatra and The Beatles to Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.
One particularly memorable interview King gave on Larry King Live was with Grammy-winning singer Tina Turner.
Larry King’s interview with Tina Turner was at a pivotal time in Turner’s life
Turner appeared on Larry King Live in February 1997 to promote her Wildest Dreams album and tour and to talk about her own illustrious career.
By the late 1990s, Turner had established herself as one of the biggest stars in the world, with hits including “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “Private Dancer,” “Proud Mary,” and more. She was also madly in love at the time with her now-husband Erwin Bach, happily “liberated” from her abusive ex-husband Ike Turner.
Turner was living in Switzerland and enjoying her status as a global icon when she spoke with Larry King, and was happy to be back working to promote new music and other new material.
Larry King remarked on Tina Turner’s undergarments
Turner’s Larry King Live appearance was just one of the ways that Turner promoted her Wildest Dreams album. In 1996, Turner secured an endorsement deal with undergarment company Hanes that coincided with the album’s release.
According to The New York Times, the $20 million campaign brought on Turner as a spokeswoman for Hanes hosiery lines including Resilience, Smooth Illusions, and Silk Reflections. In addition to conventional advertising such as TV commercials and print ads, also included a tie-in deal that offered hosiery to buyers of the album and albums to buyers of the hosiery. She even re-recorded her biggest hit for occasion, renaming it “What’s Legs Got to Do With It.”
At one point in their interview, King referenced Turner’s undergarments and what brand they were. “You’re definitely wearing Hanes, by the way,” King said. Turner confirmed that she was — but it was all invisible under the desk they were sitting at.
“What’s left of you is under the desk, it’s very distracting to the crew here, OK, Tina?” King joked. “You could’ve worn slacks, Tina, and left us OK.”
