Aretha Franklin's funeral was an 8-hour long event with tributes and speeches from a variety of entertainers and public figures. One appearance, in particular, won the general public's attention. Ariana Grande's performance opened up a discussion when the bishop who greeted her after she sang Franklin's "Natural Woman" did so with too much enthusiasm.
Bishop Charles H Ellis III can be seen essentially groping Grande. Videos of the inappropriate affection have since been circulating online with public commentary calling out the Bishop.
The preacher apologized about the incident during an interview at the cemetery where Franklin was being interred.
“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 apologize.”
He insists that everyone he greeted received equal treatment.
“I hug all the female artists and the 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.”
