To play Tina Turner is to step into the story of a woman defined by transformation, reinvention, and unapologetic power. In the Broadway production of “Tina”, actor Darilyn Burtley takes on the iconic role with emotional depth and authenticity, bringing audiences into the fullness of Tina’s story.
Burtley is a native Chicagoan actor, and vocalist whose credits include the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Porchlight Music Theatre, as well as television roles on Chicago P.D. and The Chi.
In this conversation, Burtley reflects on embodiment, healing, and what it means to shine without apology.
Q: Can you tell me about the role you play?
Burtley: I play the titular character. I play the goddess Tina Turner herself. It is an extraordinary opportunity, and it is a whole lot of everything all at once.
Q: How did you prepare to step into such a complex role?
Burtley: What really helped was having Tina’s book, “I, Tina”, as a reference. I tried to stay away from watching What’s Love Got to Do With It, even though I grew up loving it, because I wanted to do a different take. I watched a ton of her interviews and studied her personality. The most important part was really embodying her essence authentically.
Q: Tina is often defined by survival. Who did you discover she was beyond that?
Burtley: She was a cool kitty cat. I think people associate her with the hardest part of her life, but there is so much more—her spiritual journey, her tenacity, her business savvy.
She believed in herself almost to the point of delusion at times, and it worked. That is what stands out to me most—her refusal to give up.
Q: How do you navigate confidence, especially as a Black woman, without it being misinterpreted?
Burtley: It is a very fine line to dance on. You can be as kind as you want, but if you show up confident with a big voice, you are bound to make some people uncomfortable.
That may just be their insecurity, but you have to shine anyway. Playing this role has taught me to never again apologize for shining brightly. If somebody cannot handle the glare, they should put on some shades.
If you know you are a good person and you have the chops to back it up, and someone is still mad, they can stay mad.
Q: Were there moments in the show that were emotionally difficult to perform?
Burtley: Absolutely. There are parts that are true to life and can be triggering. There are times when I am on stage crying, and those are real tears.
But just like Tina, I use those experiences as fuel. I cannot change what I have been through, but I can use it. Though it can be painful, it is also a gift because it allows me to embody the role authentically.
Q: Do you find acting to be healing?
Burtley: Yes. Playing Tina, there is a lot of catharsis. It is almost like exposure therapy. There were triggers I had going into the show that I do not have anymore because I worked through them on stage. It has been one of the biggest gifts.
Q: What is the power of theater and representation?
Burtley: Art has the power to completely shift people’s reality. It changed mine. It made me more open and more understanding. It is more than entertainment; it is the ability to change hearts, minds, and lives.
Q: What do you hope Black women and young girls take away from your performance?
Burtley: That we are capable of anything and everything. We have everything we need within us.
We should never dim our light or ask for permission. We are resilient, beautiful, and powerful—living, breathing goddesses. We just have to give ourselves permission to embody that.
Q: What does transformation mean to you?
Burtley: It means surrendering to what is most authentic to you and stopping the fight against it. If you are great, just be great. Trust what is meant for you.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
Burtley: That I was a good person who stayed true to herself, did the best she could, and pushed through.