Ariana Grande Performs 'Natural Woman' at Aretha Franklin's Funeral

All I have to say is … wow!

During the Queen of Soul’s memorial earlier today at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Ariana Grande performed such a moving performance of Aretha Franklin’s (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, which was released in 1967 and became one of Aretha’s signature records.  Ariana was accompanied by the house band or a quartet of such POWERFUL singers.

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Ariana had everyone in tears, including former President Bill Clinton who sat behind Ariana as she performed.  Ariana was joined by fiance, Pete Davidson and both arrived early to greet some of the VIPs like Bill Clinton along with wife ad former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

At one point during the ceremony, Bishop Charles Ellis III made a joke about Ariana.  He says that because of age and unfamiliarity with Ariana, when he saw her name on the program, he assumed it was ‘something new at Taco Bell.’  After Ariana laughed, the pastor says, “Girl, let me give you all your respect.”  Pastor Ellis then asked everyone is attendance to give Ariana a round of applause for her performance, which turned into a standing ovation.  Ariana then says, “Thank you. We love you Aretha.”

Earlier this month, Ariana was asked to perform an Aretha tribute on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.  It was that day that news broke about Aretha’s passing, she was 76 and battled pancreatic cancer.  Ariana explained, “I met her a few times.  We sang at the White House and she was so sweet, she was so cute… It’s an honour to have met her.”

Other musicians who performed at Aretha’s funeral included country star Faith Hill, the Clark Sisters, Fantasia Barrino (American Idol), Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder.

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