Dionne Warwick talks Twitter popularity ahead of Fantasy Springs performance

Dionne Warwick wants everyone on Twitter to know “you’re going to have to be more respectful.”

The 81-year-old "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" singer and former TV host is enjoying a resurgence on social media and was honored in December as the 447th star on Walk of Stars Palm Springs. The Palm Springs International Film Festival announced it will open with her documentary "Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over" on Jan. 7.

But for those who need more Warwick in their lives, she’s performing on Dec. 17 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

Warwick told The Desert Sun she feels Twitter is a place where people send each other strange and hurtful messages but has “turned around from what it was” thanks to her status on the platform, and that the company's former Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey thanked her for making her presence known.

“I think the presence of a grown-up, of which I happen to be, kind of put a little angst into this,” Warwick said. “They don’t have to say those kinds of things and the result is people are now enjoying smiles as opposed to frowns.”

She doesn’t think her viral tweets to Chance the Rapper asking, “If you are very obviously a rapper why did you put it in your stage name?” and to The Weeknd, “Why? It’s not even spelled correctly” are mean-spirited, but “just poking a little fun.”

In fact, Chance the Rapper collaborated with her on the new single “Nothing’s Impossible” released in November, and said she’s planning to work with The Weeknd in the near future.

She's not a Coachella Valley resident, but The Walk of Stars Palm Springs honors local humanitarians, internationally acclaimed entertainers, architects, artists, designers and more. In order to be included, a person has to be nominated and sponsored for a $15,000 installation fee.

Warwick has sold 75 million singles and 25 million albums worldwide since releasing her debut "Presenting Dionne Warwick" in 1963, which included her first single "Don't Make Me Over" in 1962, written by songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The song was an instant hit.

She won her first Grammy award in 1968 for her hit single "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?"

Oscar's Palm Springs owner Dan Gore organized two fundraisers for Warwick's star. He said her status with drag queens and her accomplishments as a Black recording artist are the reason she should be honored in Palm Springs.

"In my experience, with shows I've done in Palm Springs and throughout the country, we've always had a Dionne Warwick impersonator," Gore told The Desert Sun in December. "She's up there with these powerful, energetic and remarkable women. Let alone being a Black artist as well, it wasn't easy 30 or 40 years ago, and going back 50 to 60 years, it was impossible. I'm sure she has plenty of stories to tell."

On her status in the drag community, Warwick said "imitation is the greatest form of flattery"

"To think I rate high on the list of people they want to keep alive and relevant, and I've spoken to many who also have that like Diana Ross and Cher, it's wonderful. These are people who love being thought of as relevant," Warwick said.

But how does Warwick celebrate Christmas? "Joyously, as I always do," she replied, adding it's her favorite time of the year.

"I wish it could be all year long and it's the only time people seem to become human beings again," Warwick said.

If you go

What: Dionne Warwick

When: Dec. 17

Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio

Cost: $39 to $69

More information: fantasyspringsresort.com

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye. Support local news, subscribe to The Desert Sun.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Dionne Warwick talks Twitter popularity ahead of Fantasy Springs performance