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Aretha Franklin did not like speculation surrounding her absence from Whitney Houston’s funeral and the fact that she was invited to the funeral by Cissy Houston and not turned away like some media outlets speculated. Aretha says she did have muscle spasms the day of the funeral.
“Extra TV, the New York Post and Newsday (New York) should stop the BS,” Franklin said in a statement. “Cissy Houston and I have been longtime friends for almost 50 years.”
“I have four invitations and parking passes that were sent to me for the funeral. Extra TV, the New York Post and Newsday (New York) are more interested in sensationalism and negative speculations than the truth. People are getting their information from the wrong source. The intelligent and the thoughtful thing to do would be to respect and have some sensitivity to the moment. If you don’t know how, at least try.
“Cissy does not need ridiculous speculation and neither do I—particularly at this time. Also, with respect to the Today Show, my entire statement was pretaped. However, the Today Show did not air the part of my statement, which said, ‘This is no reflection on Cissy or Nippy’s upbringing.’ Knowing Cissy as well as I do, I know Whitney left home right and properly. I was generalizing and it was a well intended statement for any young adult coming into the music industry. I was not speaking of anyone specifically.”
Franklin released a statement Saturday clarifying her reason for not going and giving her condolences, “Unfortunately I had terrible leg spasms and locked leg muscles until 4:00 a.m. this morning following my concert last night, which I’ve been having for the last few days. I feel it necessary and very important to stay off my leg today as much as possible until concert time this evening.
“My heart goes out to my dear friend Cissy [Houston], Dionne [Warwick], Bobbi Kristina [Brown] and the rest of the family. May God keep them all.”
Via E! News
Photo from PR Photos
