Let me tell you, it’s been over two years since the legendary Patti LaBelle dazzled the dance floor on Dancing With the Stars Season 20, but her memories of that time still shine bright. During an exclusive chat with Closer Weekly, the iconic singer opened up about her unforgettable experience on the show—and revealed how her bond with dance partner Artem Chigvintsev remains as strong as ever. "We hang out every now and then. He even comes to my shows! Artem is more than just a partner; he’s a true friend and a sweetheart," Patti beamed, her admiration for her former dance partner clear as day.

Now, if you think being on DWTS was a piece of cake, think again. Patti joked during the interview about the grueling training process, describing it as nothing short of "torture." But here's the kicker: through all the sweat and hard work, she discovered something powerful about herself. "It taught me discipline. I had to listen to Artem, follow his every instruction, and push myself harder than I ever thought possible. But you know what? Once I felt confident, I’d tell Artem, ‘I think I’ve got this.’ And guess what? He’d let me go home early," she recalled with a chuckle.

Patti and Artem on DWTS in 2015. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

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Her Journey on the Show: A Test of Strength and Resilience

Dancing With the Stars is no walk in the park, and Patti was quick to emphasize just how challenging it was. "You’re using muscles you didn’t even know existed! I’m proud of myself for lasting six weeks in that competition. Honestly, I could have won the trophy, but I didn’t want to take it away from someone else. I was proud of what I accomplished, and six weeks was more than enough," she said with a laugh. But don’t think for a second that Patti’s love for the show has faded—far from it. "I’m always tuning in, especially to watch Artem. No matter who he’s dancing with, I root for him every single time. He’s my guy!" she shared affectionately.

What’s Next for the Godmother of Soul?

Even though Patti spends her Monday nights glued to the TV screen watching Dancing With the Stars, her career shows no signs of slowing down. The 73-year-old legend is juggling multiple projects, proving that age is just a number. Besides collaborating with Hood Calorie Countdown—a product she swears by as a diabetic—"I use it for everything I used to use milk for, like my coffee and cereal. It’s a game-changer!"—she’s also starring in her own Cooking Channel series, Patti LaBelle’s Place. And if that wasn’t enough, she’s making guest appearances on Queen Latifah’s new FOX show, Star, and promoting her latest Christmas album. With so much on her plate, one thing’s for sure: we can’t wait to see what this powerhouse does next!