The Bishop who officiated the funeral of the late legend, Aretha Franklin was accused of being inappropriate with singer, Ariana Grande. After being called out for groping the hitmaker, the Bishop issued a public apology.
The music icon’s
memorial service was held in her home town in Detroit, Michigan at
the Greater Grace Temple. A number of celebrities performed at the
event on Friday including Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder and Ariana
Grande. However, before the God is a Woman hitmaker went on stage to
perform her rendition of the legend’s song A Natural Woman, she was
seen conversing with the Bishop, Charles H Ellis III. Photographs of
their conversation show that while talking to the 25-year old, the
Bishop placed his hand a little above her waist and squeezed her
chest from the side. The pictures also depict an expression of
discomfort on the popstar’s face.
Several people on
social media were outraged by the incident due to which, not long
after the news went public, the Bishop apologized for the way he
acted. He said that he was sorry that he came off as trying to grope
the artist, whereas that was not his intention. In his defense, the
preacher stated that he hugged all those who attended the ceremony,
irrespective of their gender.
The apology was
issued to not only the hitmaker, but her fans and the Hispanic
community as well for being inappropriate and also, for making fun of
her name. He had previously joked at the ceremony to Ariana that when
he read her name on the program, he thought it was something that
Taco Bell had introduced. The singer laughed at his joke before
giving him a hug. Nonetheless, the Bishop apologized to everyone that
he had offended with the joke, especially the Hispanic community.
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