Blogged By: De De Tillman; Celebrity Blogger

Source & Story: E!online

Posted: Thursday February 23, 2012 @ 1:02 AM PST

According to E!online, Don’t mess with Aretha Franklin, people.

Even after the music legend explained her absence at Whitney Houston‘s funeral, many media outlets continued to speculate why Franklin decided not to attend her goddaughter’s service (where she  was expected to sing). Certain outlets suggested the reason was an alleged rift between  Franklin and Cissy Houston that reportedly arose after  Franklin’s Today interview aired the day before the funeral.

Well, it was time to set the record straight.

“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.”

Can you R-E-S-P-E-C-T that?

“My cousin Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin is extremely outspoken, I guess it runs in the family, I can’t wait to meet her.” – De De Tillman: Celebrity Blogger.

Can you R-E-S-P-E-C-T that?