Luther Vandross’ Niece Reveals Who Inspired His Love Songs

“I think the depth of his love came from his own situations and when we were young, he was writing before we were even in any relationship or anything,” Seveda Williams explains.

Luther Vandross was one of the greatest singers to ever step on the mic. The singer, who died in 2005 at age 54, sold more than 40 million records worldwide, won eight Grammy Awards and released 11 consecutive platinum albums during his lifetime, according to Variety.

Now, his niece Seveda Williams is opening up about her career and personal life in a new interview with People. Williams told the publication that Vandross’ iconic love songs were inspired by his own life, but not necessarily his romantic relationships. The “Never Too Much” singer was notoriously private about his personal relationships during his time in the spotlight.

“I think the depth of his love comes from his own situations and when you’re young, he was writing before he was even in a relationship or anything,” Williams revealed in an interview published June 30. “So he wasn’t always singing about romantic love.”

“Most people think that, but if you look at the lyrics of his songs, it’s not all romantic,” she continued. “So it’s about loving yourself, loving your mother, loving a situation that you’re in. It’s not all autobiographical.”

Williams added that Vandross rarely discussed his romantic relationships with anyone who wasn’t a close friend. “He had his friends on his team and no one else needed to be on that team,” she explained. “If you’re not my friend, why are we talking about things? Not everything is about everyone all the time.”

Williams is the head of Fandross, the Luther Vandross fan club. She is excited about the new vinyl, CD and digital reissue of Vandross’ second album, “This Close To You,” recorded with his former band Luther. Williams said Vandross is “a consummate professional, a man who takes care of his business and makes sure his audience is satisfied and delighted.”

“I know he wanted to be known as one of the best singers of his time and he definitely achieved that,” she shared. “You don’t make people like him anymore. He was, in my opinion, the last true king of romance. He had a beautiful voice, but he also wrote the lyrics, these heartfelt lyrics.”

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Williams is also celebrating the upcoming release of “Never Too Much,” a documentary that will delve deeper into Vandross’ life and career. The film will be released in January 2025, 20 years after his death, according to People.

“I saw it again recently and I really liked it. I’m willing to support it,” Williams says. “It’s not going to be for everyone. I think it’s all inclusive and everyone can see it and make up their own mind. It doesn’t hold anything back. It touches on a lot of aspects of who he is or was, how he got there and what happened to him.”

Dawn Porter, the film’s director, explained how she chose to approach the conversation around Vandross’ sexuality in an interview with IndieWire.

“We tried to find a balance, to see how Luther dealt with these issues in his life,” she explained. “But it was really important to me and I hope the viewer feels, I’m trying to honor the way he lived, because it’s important not to call people out when they don’t want to be called out and when they didn’t choose to be called out… I’m going to let him have the last word.”