The 2025-26 ‘Queens Tour‘ may have garnered critical acclaim aplenty for its legendary lineup combining the talents of R&B icons Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, and Gladys Knight, but amid the praise came concern and criticism for the latter who became engrossed in controversy after her son made bombshell allegations about her cognitive condition.

And while Knight and team initially denied accusations her husband was forcing her to be on the road against her will, additional videos would later surface of the Empress of Soul seeming lost and confused on stage, forgetting lyrics, and requiring extra assistance from backup singers – leading her to admit to needing time away from the spotlight.

In the weeks leading up to the Stateside jaunt, Khan, LaBelle, and Mills were less forthcoming about Gladys’ health status despite her glaring absence from the promotional trail in its support.

With the ‘Queens Tour’ in her rearview, however, Stephanie has broken her silence about the 82-year-old’s well-being and is joining the call for her to “bow out with grace.”

 

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When not pissing off fans of Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey, and Gayle King, sound bites from Mills’ interview on BET’s ‘The Jason Lee Show‘ from Wednesday (October 14) also garnered side eyes and scoffs from Chris Brown detractors for her enthusiastic support of the polarizing R&B bad boy.

Elsewhere in the candid chat, the 69-year-old waxed honest about her thoughts on Knight’s fitness for touring.

“She was having problems [during the tour], [exhibiting] early stages of dementia. She still sounded amazing…[but] she was a little confused,” Stephanie shared.

When quizzed by Lee on who she believes should protect Gladys by making the official call for her to retire, Mills didn’t hesitate to answer.

“I believe it’s the responsibility of her husband. Her husband is her manager, or co-manager,” she said. “I think it’s the responsibility of her husband, but I don’t think she should still be out there [performing] even though they’ll say ‘oh, well she wants to be.'” I don’t really believe that.”

The 69-year-old ‘Home‘ singer also argued the ability to “bow out with grace” should be extended to other aging-yet-actively touring legends like Ron Isley (85), Charlie Wilson (73), and more.

Click PLAY on the clip above to hear her full statement on the matter.

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