Angela Bassett has reacted to Tina Turner’s death, describing the singer as a woman who positivitely affected the world with her life story.

“How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world?” she said to Deadline in a statement. “Through her courage in telling her story, her commitment to stay the course in her life, no matter the sacrifice, and her determination to carve out a space in rock and roll for herself and for others who look like her, Tina Turner showed others who lived in fear what a beautiful future filled with love, compassion, and freedom should look like.”

Bassett, who portrayed Turner in the iconic 1993 biopic What’s Love Got To Do with It also revealed what Turner’s final words were to her, touching on Bassett’s film performance.

“Her final words to me–for me–were ‘You never mimicked me.’ Instead you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world.’ I shall hold these words close to my heart for the rest for my days,” she said. “I am honored to have known Tina Turner. I am humbled to have helped show her to the world. So on today, while we mourn the loss of this iconic voice and presence, she gave us more than we could have ever asked. She gave us her whole self. And Tina Turner is a gift that will always be ‘simply the best.’ Angels, sing thee to thy rest…Queen.”

Turner died Wednesday at 83 years old after a lengthy illness. Her official social media accounts broke the news of her death with a statement.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow,” her official Facebook page posted. “Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.”

Turner recently told her story in her own words in the 2021 HBO biopic Tina, in which Turner recounts her life as part of her own reclamation of her legacy and as a goodbye to her fans on her own terms.