She says it without grandeur — just truth. And that truth has carried her through the highest highs and the most difficult valleys. Chaka has spoken openly about her battles with addiction, always with a clarity that makes her story feel less like confession and more like wisdom given freely. 
   “Everybody goes through stuff and eventually says, ‘This isn’t the right way.’ That was me. I threw a lot to the wind for the sake of fun.” Then she laughs. “But I’m a ‘Next’ girl. Ask me what happened yesterday and I couldn’t tell you — well, I was on a plane, I can tell you that.” 
   Forward is the only direction she accepts. 
And wellness, she notes, has been with her from the very beginning. 
   “I was a vegan as a teenager; baking my own bread, using herbs, not eating meat. I was hanging with smart, beautiful, magical people when I was 17. 
That lifestyle never left me.” 
   Her wellness routine today reflects decades of listening to her own body rather than trends. “I’m an intermittent faster. Been doing that since I was a teenager. I used to fast two weeks out of every month — so no, I’m not ahead of my time. This is old for me.” Chaka went on to share the method that works best for her.
   “You have to drink water and get lots of sleep — no matter what. That’s when your body heals. I know so many people who don’t sleep. That’s the number one thing for me.”
    And food, she’s quick to point out that people should do what works best for them. “Everybody’s different. I have friends who swear by red meat. But for me? Not a lot of food. Herbs. Water. And sleep.” 

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Though she describes herself as a “recovering Catholic,” spirituality has been present in her life since childhood. Her great-grandmother, a "truth seer" as Chaka described, founded her own spiritual church and insisted Chaka memorize Psalm 23 at age nine. “As I walk through the valley of death thou shall not want…” she begins as she recites the Psalm with conviction. “It’s still my favorite prayer,” she says. Bringing her closer to Spirit still, Chaka revealed, “Spirit wakes me up at 3 AM every morning. I listen. I say that prayer. Then I go back to sleep.” 
   Fans have been able to share in Chaka's spiritual journey thanks to her growing Instagram page — where she guides followers through various meditations and energy healing practices.         
  “I started meditating online about a year ago. 
I never thought I needed it. But now? It makes me sit down, get quiet, let go, and stay loving. We have to keep love first —  if to let the words settle. “Most people meditate without realizing it. It’s just being still. Listening and grounding yourself.” 
    And when stress tries to take over? Chaka said, “I let it go. I throw it away, and I regroup. You can’t let stress kill you. Stop tripping and give it away.” 
   Her voice — powerful, unmistakable, ageless — is protected by the same simplicity. “Teas, herbs, lots of water, sleep, vitamins. That’s it.” She shields her peace the same way she shields her instrument. “You can’t let yourself get dragged away by negativity. That’s how you protect your voice, too — you protect your peace.” 
 

Chaka Khan is currently on the final leg of The Queens Tour alongside Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Stephanie Mills, with the last stop scheduled for Texas this February. She and Sia previously collaborated on “Immortal Queen,” featured on Sia’s 2024 album Reasonable Woman.

   “We’re two electric voices,” she says of their time at the studio. “That’s Spirit at work right there.” Their connection is personal, too. When Sia asked Chaka to be her Godmother, the bond between them became family. “We had the whole ceremony —    it was lovely. There’s a lot of me in her. It’s a very special connection.” 
   Creatively, working together has been explosive. “She mostly comes with the great ideas; I have a few here and there. Everything is happening on this album — great pop, funky too. We have an amazing collaboration of beautiful music.” 
   And when Sia decides to tour? “I’ll be right there," she said."I got her back — she knows that.” 

Chaka is also bringing her life story to the stage with “I’m Every Woman,” a musical premiering at the Peacock Theater in London in March 2026 and soon making its way to Broadway. “It’s my story. And New York is next!” she laughs. “I’ve done some stage work, but as long as I don’t have to be in it, I’m happy.” The creative team, she says, has stunned her with their dedications. “I’m pleasantly surprised by how into it they are — in such a beautiful way.” 
   Before closing, she turns her attention to the people who have supported her for half a century. “To everyone who has followed me and listened to my music all these years — thank you. I promise I’ll always do my very best.” 

And as for what’s next? She doesn’t miss a beat. “There’s a lot happening this year. Keep your ear to the wind.” 

 

 

If you want to catch Chaka Khan live on her “The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage.” tour — 
or see the I'm Every Woman musical in London —  visit www.Ticketmaster.com

To follow the Queen of Funk as she shares her gifts with the word visit:

Website: https://chakakhan.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chakakhan/