Legendary singer Roberta Flack was selected for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame back in 1999, but the ceremony never happened.
Ana Martinez, producer for the Los Angeles landmark, recently explained on X (formerly Twitter) why Flack’s star never made it to the iconic boulevard.
“Hello all, please note that singer Roberta Flack was selected for a star in 1999 but sadly never set a date with us for a ceremony. May she rest in peace,” Martinez posted this week after Flack died.
Related: Why A Star On The Hollywood Walk of Fame Costs $75,000
According to Martinez, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is open to working with Flack’s family to schedule a posthumous ceremony. However, it wouldn’t happen until after 2025 since this year’s calendar is already full, TMZ reported.
This news came shortly after Flack’s passing. The Grammy-winning artist and classically trained pianist died at her home surrounded by family on Feb. 24. She was 88.
As previously reported in 2022, the singer revealed she had ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which left her unable to sing.
Flack rose to fame after Clint Eastwood featured her ballad “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in a love scene with Donna Mills in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. The song, with Flack’s soft vocals layered over piano and strings, shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972.
She followed that success with “Killing Me Softly With His Song” in 1973, becoming the first artist to win back-to-back Grammys for Record of the Year.
Outside of music, Flack was active in the civil rights movement, forming friendships with figures like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame currently holds over 2,700 stars, and getting one isn’t easy or cheap.
Anyone can nominate a celebrity, but the nominee has to agree in writing and set up a ceremony date. Since the star is costly, it’s usually record labels, TV networks, or fan clubs that nominate the individuals and pay for the star installations.
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
