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A handwritten document found stuffed in Aretha Franklin’s couch cushions is at the crux of a dispute over her multi-million dollar estate — with a Michigan jury seated Monday in the case tasked with deciding whether it’s a valid will. The panel was chosen to oversee the Oakland County Probate trial between the Queen of Soul’s sons Kecalf and Edward Franklin — who believe the 2014 document is valid — and their brother, Ted White II, aka Teddy Richards, who wants a handwritten from 2010 to be honored instead. Both documents were found in the “Respect” singer’s suburban Detroit home...

The song A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin is being bashed by LGBTQ critics as 'offensive,' with one organization in particular saying the tune helps perpetuate harmful anti-trans stereotypes. Released as a single by the late Queen of Soul back in 1967, the stirring love ballad is now facing scrutiny - despite preaching positive messages in regards to women and femininity in general. Leading the charge to have the song nixed is the Norway-based Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (TCMA), a group started this year and has since made its presence known with a series of polarizing posts on social media....

The woke snowflakes have beclowned themselves again. A Norwegian transgender activist group is demanding that Apple Music and Spotify remove one of Aretha Franklin’s hit songs because of its allegedly offensive lyrics. The Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (TCMA) is targeting Franklin’s 1968 hit “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” which they say “perpetuates multiple harmful anti-trans stereotypes.” The group claims, “There is no such thing as a ‘natural’ woman” and is calling on the streaming platforms to cancel the song. Aretha Franklin's 1968 song "Natural Woman" perpetuates multiple harmful anti-trans stereotypes.There is no such thing as a "natural"...

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A judge is expected to consider a request for a handwriting expert to examine wills discovered in couch cushions after Aretha Franklin's death. A hearing is scheduled Tuesday in Oakland County Probate Court, north of Detroit. A handwritten 2014 document shows Franklin apparently wanted her son, Kecalf Franklin, to serve as the representative of her estate, which might be worth millions. But lawyers for Franklin's estate have said "there is no basis" to believe Kecalf Franklin has those skills.

President Donald Trump took a pounding at the services for Aretha Franklin. The Rev. Al Sharpton took Trump to task for supposedly demonstrating a lack of respect by saying, "She worked for me on numerous occasions." Other speakers took shots at the President either by name or by implication for his supposed racism and bigotry. Onstage, in the front row, sat Sharpton, Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and former President Bill Clinton, all of whom know a thing or two about racism and bigotry. Their careers depend on exaggerating the extent and the impact of...

Aretha Franklin's family slams Pastor for 'offensive' eulogy! (Live stream)

Partial transcript, lightly edited for brevity: The reason that Al Sharpton, and Maxine Waters, and all of them, have used this funeral to race-bait, is that the Democrats are in a bad situation right now. You've got to realize, they have had complete control of Black People for over 50 years. They have been able to get 90-95% of the Black vote for fifty years. And have given nothing in return, and they didn't have to. Then here comes Donald Trump, just being Donald Trump. All these people have known Donald Trump for years, they've all known who he is,...

[Snip] Singer Ariana Grande took the stage to sing "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," a funeral fit for a queen also served as a reminder that there isn't a single place in this country where a woman can feel safe from sexual assault and harassment. Following Grande's performance, Pastor Charles H. Ellis III wrapped his right arm around Grande, pulled her close to him and touched her breast. He did this on stage, in a church, during a funeral -- in front of thousands of attendees. Visibly uncomfortable and tense, Grande forced her way through awkward laughs...

Farrakhan, Sharpton, Jackson and President Clinton Left to right: Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson and former President Bill Clinton attend Aretha Franklin's funeral service on August 31, 2018 in Detroit.

By now you’ve probably seen this photo from Aretha Franklin’s funeral with Louis Farrakhan, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton… …or, maybe you haven’t if you get your news from MSNBC:

Bill and Hillary Clinton attended Aretha Franklin’s funeral on Friday in Detroit, Michigan. After paying their respects viewing the open casket, Bill and Hillary headed over to their seats. Feeble Hillary Clinton needed help walking up the stairs.

Music legend Aretha Franklin died without a will. Franklin, who suffered from pancreatic cancer and was in grave health in the days leading up to her death last week, had no financial preparations in place at the time of her death, the website reports. The gossip outlet notes that the “Respect” singer had a son, Clarence, who has special needs and will require financial support for the rest of his life. Following the news of her death, the Franklin family said: “In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to...

SUFFOLK, Va. - Police responded to a report of a gunshot victim Thursday morning around 10:45 a.m. Police said the shooting that happened in the 300 block of East Washington Street started with an argument. News 3's Rachael Cardin spoke to a witness who said he heard the two people in a local barbershop arguing over whether or not Halle Berry played or would play Aretha Franklin in a movie. Police said the fight turned physical and then one of the subjects produced a firearm, shooting the other man at least once outside the shop. Both men got emergency medical...

This is exclusive, and heart breaking for me and for the family and friends of the great Aretha Franklin. She is gravely ill in Detroit. The family is asking for prayers and privacy. Originally diagnosed with cancer in 2010, Aretha, who turned 76 in March, bravely battled back and refused to be knocked out by illness. Her last performance as on November 2, 2017 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation in New York. Her final public performance was at Philadelphia’s Mann Center in August 2017. It was a miraculous show as Aretha was already then fighting exhaustion and dehydration. Aretha...

Aretha Franklin has much R-E-S-P-E-C-T for President Barack Obama — regardless of his spelling skills. At a White House tribute to the "Women of Soul" last Thursday, Obama dropped the initial "E'' when trying to spell out "respect" as the queen of soul does in her famous song. He was spelling out the word as part of Franklin's introduction. "I'm sure the President had much on his agenda and was just a little tired," the 71-year-old singer said in a statement Monday.

Aretha Franklin cancels concerts because of fractured ribs, painBy the CNN Wire Staff August 4, 2010 9:34 a.m. EDT (CNN) -- Legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin has canceled two free concerts in New York because of an injury, according to a statement issued by her publicists Wednesday. "Due to fractured ribs and pain in the abdomen, it was necessary for Ms. Franklin to cancel and reschedule the two concerts," said the statement from spokeswoman Gwendolyn Quinn. Franklin's doctors have advised her to come in for tests immediately, the statement said. Efforts are being made to reschedule the concerts at the...

Aretha Franklin performs at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in New York December 2, 2009.

Mr. Song Millinery on Woodward Avenue in Detroit has struck a sour note with Aretha Franklin. It was her inaugural hat that caused a flood of orders from around the world. And now, the Queen of Soul wants royal treatment from store owner Luke Song for wearing it. "I think that I should be getting big time royalties from him. That's what I think," said Franklin in an interview with WWJ's Vickie Thomas at Sunday's NAACP Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner.

Michelle Obama’s now-famous Jason Wu gown isn’t the only piece of Inaugural fashion that is headed for the Smithsonian. The museum is also requesting the now-iconic hat that Aretha Franklin wore while singing at the swearing-in. Aretha, however, is still undecided about parting with her Luke Song-designed hat. “I am considering it. It would be hard to part with my chapeau since it was such a crowning moment in history,” says the Queen of Soul. “I would like to smile every time I look back at it and remember what a great moment it was in American and African-American history....

Aretha's hat sparks a trendPosted: Jan 23, 2009 07:32 PM EST By Molly Reuter TYLER, TX (KLTV) - On Tuesday, when Aretha Franklin performed in front of millions at President Obama's inauguration with her large hat, ahe started a new fashion trend. Now, an East Texas store has been flooded with calls. KLTV decided to go to "One More Pair" in Tyler to find out what this new buzz is all about. "Ring-ring!' "One More Pair! May I help you," asks Jennifer Johnson, owner of "One More Pair". Her phone has not stopped ringing since Tuesday. Aretha Franklin's celebrity status...