He was both in our faces and behind a curtain at the same time.
Here are a few things we learned (or were reminded of) in the film.
Vandross time with Bowie, onYoung Americansand the subsequentDiamond Dogstour, is well documented.
Luther Vandross performing onstage in Chicago, 1984.Paul Natkin/Getty Images
Its a kick seeing the young Vandross on that familiar street set, stepping out for vocal solos.
But a dark side also lurks.
Clip after clip of morning-show hosts asking Vandross about his weight issues becomes painful to watch.
(After pleading no contest, Vandross was put on probation, dodging a major bullet.)
But afterward, his weight, which had stabilized, ballooned again.
We can debate Vandross decision and how it benefited (or didnt) the LGBTQ+ community.
Whether Vandross could have survived online stans and haters is another question entirely.
