- Ariana Grande performed at the funeral of Aretha Franklin alongside icons like Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan.
- Aretha Franklin died earlier this month of pancreatic cancer, aged 76.
- Bishop Charles Ellis III who led Aretha Franklin’s funeral has apologised to Ariana Grande after being accused of groping her on stage.
Ariana Grande was one of the stars paying tribute to the “Queen of Soul” on Friday. Following Grande’s performance of Aretha Franklin’s hit “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” Ellis spoke with her at the podium and wrapped his arms around the singer.
Videos show Bishop Charles H Ellis III holding Ariana high above her waist, with his fingers squeezed around the side of the singer’s chest.
During their conversation, some viewers noticed that Grande did not seem entirely comfortable with the contact. The bishop appeared to grope her right breast and also made a tasteless joke, likening her name to a menu item at Taco Bell.
Apology
The bishop who led Aretha Franklin’s funeral has apologised to Ariana Grande after being accused of groping her on stage.
“It would never be my intention to touch any woman’s breast … I don’t know, I guess I put my arm around her. Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar but, again, I apologise.”
“I hug all the female and male artists,” Ellis said. “Everybody that was up, I shook their hands and hugged them. That’s what we are all about in the church. We are all about love.”
“The last thing I want to do is to be a distraction to this day. This is all about Aretha Franklin.”
“I personally and sincerely apologise to Ariana and to her fans and to the whole Hispanic community.”
“When you’re doing a program for nine hours you try to keep it lively, you try to insert some jokes here and there.”
