The Queen of Soul would certainly not have approved. Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, who officiated the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple Church Friday, apologized a day later for brushing his hand against singer Ariana Grande’s breast.
Ellis told The Associated Press that, “It would never be my intention to touch any woman’s breast.”
“I don’t know I guess I put my arm around her,” he said. “Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar but again, I apologize.”
Besides his wandering hand, Ellis apologized for putting his foot in his mouth. The Bishop had made an offensive joke about Grande’s name, equating it with a “a new something at Taco Bell.” He apologized for that as well.
But Ellis wasn’t the only person on the church stage to cause an uproar during Grande’s rendition of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Video footage of former President Bill Clinton staring at Grande sparked outrage on social media given his sexual history.
Thanks for reading InsideHook. Sign up for our daily newsletter and be in the know.
