Patti Pies Are Sweet Success, but Is LaBelle Sour on Singer Friend Taking Credit?
When it comes to baking, Patti LaBelle isn't playing "patty cakes."
The R&B singer with Baptist roots has hit a sweet spot with consumers after offering her now famous sweet potato "Patti Pies" exclusively at Walmart stores.
Sales of the dessert have skyrocketed after a video praising the pie by Los Angeles-based singer James Wright Chanel went viral to the tune of over 10 million views on Facebook. The hashtag #PattiPies has even trended on Twitter. GIFs and Memes of all sorts have circled the Internet. What does it all boil down to? Walmart is struggling to keep the item in stock.
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With the holidays fast approaching, consumers are scrambling to get a piece of the coveted pie to adorn the spreads of their holiday shindigs. According to Centric, even churches are catching the spirit and jumping on the Patti bandwagon. One even inquired about a bulk purchase of 300 pies.
But the "On My Own" singer says on her own is exactly how she achieved her recent culinary success, claiming that Wright's hit video isn't the reason for her brisk sales.
According to NBC news, LaBelle says she was doing well before the boost from Wright. "… My pies are so good and they were going over the top before my new friend James posted that video ...," LaBelle quipped.
But Walmart sales figures indicate the humorous video had a much greater impact than LaBelle lets on. In the weekend following the video, Walmart Spokesperson Scott Markley said, "... We've been selling like one pie per second for those 72 hours," NBCBLK reports.
Despite LaBelle's slight dis to her Internet benefactor, the singer took time from rehearsals for her upcoming European tour to watch Wright's video and talk to him. "I was in London and [my son] Zuri played it for me and I said 'this has to be a trick, right?' Of course I was shocked."
In his video, Wright samples the sweet potato pie, then imitates LaBelle, crediting the savory dessert for his sudden transformation into the singing legend. He then implores viewers to get the pie. The hilarious footage caught fire across the web, creating a groundswell of interest in the pies. Soon after, Walmart reported that it had sold out of the dessert.
While interest in her pie has reached a fevered pitch, perhaps LaBelle will offer consumers another flavor.
