Patti LaBelle is Finding Love With Her (Much) Younger Boyfriend

Stella has nothing on Ms. Patti LaBelle! The 71-year-old singing legend is said to be getting her groove back back by dating her 41-year-old drummer—and reportedly has been for over a year!

According to several sources, LaBelle and musician Eric Seats have been dating for a year and a half. Apparently the singer's pies, TV show appearances and performances haven't kept her too busy to find love--love that she's kept a tight lid on it.

"She tried to keep it quiet, but everyone around her has figured things out now. She's completely smitten with him and they spend so much time together," a source reported. "It wasn't long before he was helping her heal her broken heart. He made her feel at ease and she loved that he had such a vast experience working in the music business." The source goes on to say that two first hooked up after LaBelle was fresh out of a bad relationship. It seems so far that the timing was right for the two to start something special.

The couple has been keeping things hush-hush and out of the public eye, but now that everything is out in the open, the two don't seem to mind being linked to one another. A photo on Seats' Instagram shows the two dressed up and on their way out. The father of three captioned the photo, "#AngelBall #PattiLaBelle About last night... When you escort a QUEEN to the annual "Angel Ball", you flow just like so... Thank you Ms. Denise Rich. #DeniseRich ES333"

While clearly, LaBelle has years of experience on Seats when it comes to the music industry, the musician is no slouch himself. According to Daily Mail, Seats was with Lalah Hathaway before joining LaBelle's band a few years ago. Before that, he toured with big stars like Missy Elliot, Stevie Wonder, Timbaland and Mary J. Blige. He also has production credits with the late Aaliyah and Destiny's Child. His career didn't stop him from pursuing love, though, as it is reported that he moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles to be with LaBelle.

The two clearly enjoy spending time together, and even spent the holidays together. Hopefully, this romance has a happier ending than LaBelle's past marriage to Armstead Edwards and her brief engagement to the Temptations lead singer, Otis Williams.

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