When Aretha Franklin cancelled her appearance at Whitney Houston's funeral the public and media began speculating if her appearance and comments, on the NBC "Today" show the day before, played a role in her absence, according to CBS News.
Franklin sought to set the record straight once and for all on Thursday, stating that,
"Cissy does not need ridiculous speculation--and neither do I."
The speculation was birthed in part by comments Franklin made to Al Roker about Houston's superstardom, according to CBS. But the soul singer went on record to debunk the misconception today, stating that,
"I know Whitney left home right and properly. I was generalizing [in her comments on the "Today" show] and it was a well intended statement for any young adult coming into the music industry."
To drive home the point further, the godmother of Whitney Houston added, "I was not speaking of anyone specificaly."
Lest anyone still doubt Franklin's relations were good with Cissy Houston in light of the interview, Aretha Franklin added a final closing comment.
"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."
Franklin says it was nothing more than "leg spasms" that kept her away from the funeral on Saturday, as she had performed the night before at Radio City Music Hall. The New York Times reported that those in the audience that night included Clive Davis, Whitney Houston's mentor.
Given that Aretha Franklin and Cissy Houston have almost a half a century of friendship--and neither is getting any younger, and Franklin recently had surgery--one can accept that Cissy Houston would not take offense that physical pains kept her longtime friend from performing during the formal goodbye service to her deceased daughter.
But not attending the funeral at all, even to sit in the pew, is what may be driving the suspicions about a feud between Aretha Franklin and Cissy Houston the most. Once Cissy Houston goes on record to declare there isn't an issue, however, the speculation should die down.
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