Bishop apologizes after unexpectedly touching Ariana Grande's breast
Bishop Charles Ellis apologized to Ariana Grande after "going overboard" by improperly touching the star during Aretha Franklin's funeral Friday.
Bishop Charles Ellis, a pastor at Greater Grace Temple who hosted Aretha Franklin's funeral in Detroit on Friday, apologized to Ariana Grande after "going overboard" by improperly touching the pop star during ceremony.
Ariana Grande, a 25-year-old star, played the classic Aretha Franklin "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman" in this long and vibrant tribute to the "Queen of Soul", who died at age 76 August 16, following pancreatic cancer.
After her performance, she was congratulated on stage by Bishop Charles Ellis, who put her hand behind her and pressed her closely. The pictures show that the pastor's hand touched the singer's chest. "I would never think of touching anyone's breast," he told the US media, confirmed by AFP Saturday by the Greater Grace Temple. The religious leader also admitted to having perhaps "exceeded the limits".
He also apologized for his comments on the name of the pop star. "When I saw Ariana Grande on the program, I thought that was a new something at Taco Bell" - he said.
The ceremony lasted nearly eight hours on Friday to pay a last tribute, in music, to the legendary American singer.
The room sounds different once an audience enters. Hands feel less precise, breathing becomes shallow and lyrics that were automatic in rehearsal suddenly seem fragile. A musician may interpret those sensations as evidence that the performance is already going wrong. A repeatable routine can reduce uncertainty…