Tina Turner fans left heartbroken by poignant new documentary

Tina Turner's candid documentary has provoked a strong response from fans of the iconic musician

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - MAY 23: Tina Turner performs at Shoreline Amphitheatre on May 23, 1997 in Mountain View California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

Tina Turner fans have shared their emotional reactions to her new Sky documentary, which hit screens last Saturday. 

Tina, which was directed by Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin, invited viewers into the incredible life of one of the world's most iconic R&B musicians as she takes a final bow from her 50-year-long career. 

Having risen to fame at the age of 44, Tina went on to become a bonafide superstar in the 1980s, racking up a resumé of timeless hits, including Proud Mary and I Can't Stand The Rain. The feature-length program explored her tumultuous journey as an international star, which was marked by a series of heartbreaking low points, including domestic abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and poor physical health. 

Now, fans are taking to social media to express their strong feelings about Tina's documentary. 

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"The suffering Tina Turner endured at Ike Turner's hands...I knew this story, but wow, the detail and hearing her tell it in her own words...is quite an experience," one follower commented. 

The film detailed the tirade of violence Tina faced at the hands of Ike Turner, over the course of their 16 years of marriage. She spoke candidly about his horrific treatment of her, revealing that he would use coat hangers and shoe stretchers to beat her before having sex with her. The abuse took a major toll on her health, driving her to attempt suicide in 1968. 

"I was living a life of death," she said in the documentary. The couple separated in 1976 after Tina defended herself during one attack. 

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Many viewers were struck by Tina's resilience throughout the horrific abuse. "All I can say is WOW!!! What a woman. What an inspiration. What an icon. Black Girl Magic in its highest form," one fan gushed. 

Multiple people have also compared the film to New York Times documentary, Framing Britney Spears. Like Britney, Tina was subject to intense media scrutiny throughout her career. Her relationship with Ike was often questioned in interviews, despite her clear reluctance to speak about the issue. 

“I hope everybody watches the Tina Turner doc,” one Twitter user wrote. “I hope media receives the same criticism it did after the Britney doc. It’s a shame Tina was the biggest star in the world and they kept asking about raggedy a** Ike. She left him and they refused to let her escape the trauma.”

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.