Aretha Franklin
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Ain't No Way: Estate Conflict Reveals Aretha Franklin Once Kept $750,000 in Uncashed Checks in Her Purse
The battle over Aretha Franklin’s estate has gotten capital M-MESSY, requiring a long, drawn-out court hearing this week in which deep familial divisions—and some pretty shocking details about the late great singer’s finances—were on full display. Among the revelations: Franklin, who allegedly did not have an accounting system while she was alive, once had $750,000…
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Jennifer Hudson Honors Aretha Franklin's Legacy at Pulitzer Prize Ceremony With 'Amazing Grace'
An icon. A legend. A superstar. Aretha Franklin racked up plenty of honors when she was still with us, throughout her many years in the entertainment industry. Even her homegoing—her funeral—was more a soulful, celebratory concert than a dour ceremony. And in the middle of that homegoing concert was Oscar-Award winning singer Jennifer Hudson. Hudson,…
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Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin May Have Left Behind a Will After All
It seems the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, had a will after all—maybe even three. A personal representative for her estate found three handwritten wills inside the singer’s home earlier this month, CNN reports. The documents are dated June 21, 2010, October 20, 2010, and March 31, 2014, according to the report. They were found…
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The 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winners Are Brimming With Black Excellence—and a Posthumous Appearance by Aretha Franklin
A Pulitzer Prize is kind of a big deal. As the most prestigious award in American journalism, literature and music, it’s not quite a BET Hip-Hop Award (word to Iggy Azalea), but it sure as hell warrants an update to your Twitter bio—and your annual salary. Since its auspicious arrival in 1917, this distinction—named after…
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Amazing Grace Is a Cinematic Blessing and a Transcendental Spiritual Experience
Aretha Franklin was a national treasure. A gift. An icon. When Aretha Franklin passed, the world unequivocally lost one of the best voices of all time. With 18 Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—why wouldn’t we genuflect when one calls on the queen’s name?…
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Icon, Unfiltered: Stephanie Mills Talks Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, and Why the Music Industry Doesn't Honor Black Artists
Stephanie Mills has got opinions. Lots of ‘em. The Grammy-award winning singer and actress best known for playing Dorothy in the original Broadway production of The Wiz is not one for holding her tongue. She’s now a woman of a certain age—read: She has no time for the BS. “I’m not apologizing about anything I…
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Aretha Franklin's Assets Were Stolen Prior to Her Death
While the world continues to mourn the loss of Aretha Franklin, details continue to emerge regarding her final days, as well as the financial status of her estate. Though back taxes remain a point a contention, WDIV Local 4 reports that the Queen of Soul was also the victim of theft. As local authorities confirm…
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What You Want? Baby, You Got It: Aretha Franklin’s Biopic Lands Black Female Director
As long rumored, the late Queen of Soul is finally getting her just due respect via the silver screen. The biopic on the late great Aretha Franklin is aptly titled Respect, after her most noteworthy song. According to Variety, the film is making progress as a director has been secured— Liesl Tommy will be helming…
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The IRS Wants All of Its Money From Aretha Franklin, Who Reportedly Owed Millions in Back Taxes
The Internal Revenue Service is a goon when it comes to its money. The tax org gets its money in life…or in death. Sigh. Aretha Franklin’s estate reportedly owes $6.3 million in unpaid taxes and $1.5 million in penalties attributed to the late legendary singer from 2012 to 2018, according to TMZ. The huge tax…
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Tyler Perry Presents Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul—Starring Perry and Featuring SZA, John Legend, Common and More
The Queen of Soul is getting a night of honor, thanks to the Recording Academy. According to Deadline, Tyler Perry will be hosting Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul, a concert specially designed to honor the late Aretha Franklin. “Aretha Franklin’s reign as the ‘Queen of Soul’ is incomparable and undisputed,” Neil…