Andrew Lipovsky/NBC
Earlier this month, shortly after Aretha Franklin died, an emotional Ariana Grande performed the Queen of Soul’s hit “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Turns out that performance was an audition of sorts for Ariana’s new gig: singing at Franklin’s funeral.
A spokesperson for the Franklin family tells The Detroit Free Press that Aretha “was fond of” Ariana, and that the family was impressed with the Fallon performance.
Ariana will join a bill that already includes Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Faith Hill, Fantasia, Chaka Khan and many many more.
Aretha Franklin died August 16 at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer. The funeral will take place Friday morning at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.
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