Celebrities react to her death
Barack Obama
News of Aretha Franklin’s death echoed around the world Thursday.
Celebrities were quick to pay tribute to the legend.
❚ President Trump called Franklin “a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice.” He added, “She will be missed!”
❚ Speaking to Franklin, Jennifer Hudson wrote, “while teaching me about your life , u taught me so much about life and schooled me in mine . I will never forget those teachings”
❚ On Twitter, Diana Ross reflected on Franklin’s “wonderful golden spirit.”
❚ Celine Dion called her the “most soulful and inspirational singer of our time.”
❚ Gospel star Kirk Franklin wrote, “Long live the Queen.”
❚ Zendaya shared: “Queen Aretha. Rest in Power.”
❚ Usher said Franklin “paved the way for so many of us in music.” He added, “Her voice & legacy will never be forgotten.”
❚ “We’ll miss you Queen.” Oprah Winfrey shared along with a photo of her and the singer.
❚ Ellen DeGeneres revealed herself to be a lifelong admirer of Franklin.
“I have loved Aretha Franklin’s music my entire life, and her music has played in our audience for 15 years,” she tweeted. “My heart goes out to her family.”
❚ Bryan Cranston marveled at how Franklin’s music could combat a cloud of “vitriol and rancor.”
“Thinking about Aretha, listening to her music, it helps us transcend to a higher place,” he wrote. “A more honest place. Her voice feels like we’re being hugged.”
❚ Gladys Knight said Franklin’s “music set a standard for every single lady in this industry to rise to.”
“You have touched minds, hearts and spirits, including my own,” she wrote. “I pray you have a smooth journey Ree Ree and hopefully I’ll get to sing with you in the Heavenly choir. Love you.”
❚ Sharing a link to Franklin’s “Mary, Don’t You Weep,” Pharrell said he’d “been listening to this for the past couple of days.”
He directed fans to “Listen to this, look up to the stars and know she is with the Master now.”
❚ “I WILL MISS YOU ARETHA FRANKLIN SO MANY NIGHTS YOUR MUSIC SAVED MY LIFE!!” Leslie Jones tweeted.
❚ Willie Nelson called her the “greatest gift and the voice of a generation.”
He added, “She could turn any song
“Aretha helped define the American experience. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace.”
into a hymn. She will be greatly missed here on earth, but that band in heaven just got our Angel.”
❚ “No one did it better,” according to Lionel Richie. He added, “”Her voice; her presence; her style ... Truly the Queen of Soul. I will miss you!”
❚ Speaking to the iconic singer, Britney Spears said “your legacy and music will forever inspire us and future generations.”
❚ “For me, she was a musical lighthouse, guiding and inspiring with every note,” Bette Midler said. “I loved her so and love her still.”
❚ Taraji P. Henson expressed her appreciation to Franklin for “feeding our souls for so long!!!”
❚ Jennifer Nettles said, “As singers, we all aspire to her passion, authenticity, and power. Her talents, gifts and contributions changed hearts and touched lives. She was and remains a national treasure.”
❚ Martha Reeves said, “The Lord has come to take my ‘Soul Sister’ home.”
She continued, “Aretha Franklin was a true Icon in Detroit and around the world. My prayers go out to the family during this time. Her legacy and friendship will forever be remembered”
❚ Missy Elliott envisioned a lively concert above. “I imagine u in heaven performing & still making people souls move,” she tweeted.
❚ Reflecting on her “sister in song,” Patti LaBelle tweeted a statement which read: “Today the world has experienced a tremendous loss. Aretha was a rare treasure whose unmatched musical genius helped craft the soundtrack to the lives of so many.”
❚ Along with a video of her singing Franklin’s “Respect,” Reba McEntire shared, “I’ve had so many influences in my life, and one of them is the Queen of Soul. Rest In Peace, Aretha. I’ll sing this one for you.”
❚ In tribute to “longest friend in this world,” Smokey Robinson shared, “I will miss her so much but I know she’s at peace.”
❚ Along with lyrics to “Natural Woman,” Ava DuVernay tweeted, “Her voice/swagger was peerless. Thank you, #ArethaFranklin”
“The power of your voice in music and in civil rights blew open the door for me and so many others. You were my inspiration, my mentor and my friend.”
Mariah Carey