Detroit Bishop Apologizes for Comparing Ariana Grande's Name to a Taco Bell Item and Grabbing Her Breast

Bishop Charles H. Ellis III apologized to Ariana Grande for grabbing her breast during a hug and his insensitive joke about her name after she sang at Aretha Franklinโ€™s funeral Friday, according to the Associated Press. Suggested Reading The Real Tea Behind Tina Knowles, Mathew Divorce Suge Knight Claims Tupac’s Mother Made This Shocking Move…

Bishop Charles H. Ellis III apologized to Ariana Grande for grabbing her breast during a hug and his insensitive joke about her name after she sang at Aretha Franklinโ€™s funeral Friday, according to the Associated Press.

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Ellis, who officiated the funeral service, was quickly blasted on social media for his behavior. After Grande performed, Ellis wrapped his hand around her and pulled her towards the podiumโ€”pretty much with a handful of her breast.

Under #RespectAriana, folks sharply criticized Ellis for his actions on social media:

https://twitter.com/BenjaminEnfield/status/1035686668253241344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/notearsforari/status/1035692460062728192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/EXOTICBLVCKSKIN/status/1035710706031714304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Ellis quickly apologized in an Associated Press interview.

โ€œIt would never be my intention to touch any womanโ€™s breast. ... I donโ€™t know I guess I put my arm around her,โ€ Ellis said. โ€œMaybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar but again, I apologize.โ€

He added:

He said he hugged all the performers during Fridayโ€™s eight-hour service.

โ€œI hug all the female artists and the male artists,โ€ Ellis said. โ€œEverybody that was up, I shook their hands and hugged them. Thatโ€™s what we are all about in the church. We are all about love.โ€

He added: โ€œThe last thing I want to do is to be a distraction to this day. This is all about Aretha Franklin.โ€

To add insult to injury, he topped off his breast-touching hug with a very dumb joke.

โ€œIโ€™ve got to apologize because, I have to brush up. My 28-year-old daughter tells me, โ€˜Dad. You are old at 60.โ€™ When I saw Ariana Grande on the program, I thought that was a new something at Taco Bell,โ€ he told her. โ€œGirl, let me give you all of your respect. Did yโ€™all enjoy this icon? She is an icon herself.โ€

In response to the backlash, Ellis apologized for the poor humor.

โ€œI personally and sincerely apologize to Ariana and to her fans and to the whole Hispanic community,โ€ Ellis said. โ€œWhen youโ€™re doing a program for nine hours you try to keep it lively, you try to insert some jokes here and there.โ€

If you didnโ€™t see the incident, check out the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxKc-moNIz4

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