Popular performer Ariana Grande attended Friday’s funeral services for well-loved legendary singer Aretha Franklin to give her own tribute by performing, but infamously created a “scene,” however.
Social media erupted with strong reactions and objections to Grande’s “decorum” - or lack of it- at the well-attended funeral graced by America’s who’s who to pay their respects to a much-beloved legendary celebrity. Grande was largely slammed for going to the church services to perform in quite a scandalous “butt-skimming” and inappropriately “too short” mini skirt.
It would have been a fabulous and eye-catching outfit if the young pop star was performing in a concert or attending an awards night, and not a solemn affair like a funeral. What she wore was even described by some as “just inches below the butt.”
Some social media reactions to Grande’s mini dress at the funeral service of Franklin were not kind.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I could not sit quietly. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArianaGrande?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArianaGrande</a>’s dress shows lack of respect at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArethaFranklin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArethaFranklin</a>’s funeral <a href="https://t.co/FJjtefgA5P">https://t.co/FJjtefgA5P</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonChron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@houstonchron</a></p>— joysewing (@joysewing) <a href="https://twitter.com/joysewing/status/1035578662052089861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Detroit. Ariana Grande. Has. On. A. Black. Mini. Dress. Lord Have Mercy! At. the funeral singing Aretha's Natural Woman. Evidently, she has never been in an African American Church in Detroit or elsewhere</p>— Aurora Harris (@Aurora_313Poet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aurora_313Poet/status/1035567144724045824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ariana Grande’s ponytail is longer than her dress. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArethaFranklinFuneral?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArethaFranklinFuneral</a></p>— Toni (@TMN3218) <a href="https://twitter.com/TMN3218/status/1035565133811081217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As quiet and somber the event was, Grande with her jaw-dropping outfit attracted quite an attention from other guests, including the perennially scandalous Bill Clinton.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And old man pervert <a href="https://twitter.com/BillClinton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BillClinton</a> hasn’t changed a bit. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RespectAriana?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RespectAriana</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArianaGrande</a> <a href="https://t.co/rXukT3Zo0y">pic.twitter.com/rXukT3Zo0y</a></p>— Kenny Jacobs (@thekennyjacobs) <a href="https://twitter.com/thekennyjacobs/status/1035760414548738048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Bill Clinton, who has his share of sex-related scandals from his presidency and beyond, was seen open-mouthed while gawking at Grande perform only a few feet away. Hillary’s husband was seen whispering something into the ear of Jesse Jackson seated next to him.
There was another controversy involving Ariana. Bishop Charles H. Ellis III led Franklin's funeral on Friday. He awkwardly greeted Grande on stage after she performed "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Ellis’ hand caressed Grande well above her waist, with his fingers pressing against one side of her chest. Many viewed what the bishop did was tantamount to groping.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bishop Charles H. Ellis III belittled <a href="https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArianaGrande</a>, suggesting she was a Taco Bell menu item, while physically locking her in awkward embrace and squeezing her breast. This has nothing to do with what she’s wearing and everything to do with his shameful refusal to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RespectAriana?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RespectAriana</a> <a href="https://t.co/KEbxaeUIdj">https://t.co/KEbxaeUIdj</a></p>— Kate Woodsome (@kwoodsome) <a href="https://twitter.com/kwoodsome/status/1035730052607037440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ariana received her share of support and sympathy from people who stressed that the problem was not so much about her dress, but the men’s inappropriate behavior towards her as shown by Clinton and Ellis.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All men should learn how to respect a woman!<br><br>The problem is not the choice of dress. The actual problem is that men refuse to show respect and courtesy to women.<br><br>Stay strong <a href="https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArianaGrande</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RespectAriana?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RespectAriana</a></p>— Wandering Shadow (@shadow_twts) <a href="https://twitter.com/shadow_twts/status/1035771676418564096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ellis later told The Associated Press that while "it would never be my intention to touch anyone's breast," perhaps he "crossed a border." He stressed that “he did not want to be a distraction on a day that belonged to Franklin.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Aretha Franklin funeral bishop accused of 'groping' Ariana Grande apologises <a href="https://t.co/eWkHqzD7ki">https://t.co/eWkHqzD7ki</a></p>— Sky News (@SkyNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1035750554427957248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I think every woman can look at Ariana Grande's face and body language and viscerally feel what she's feeling. The tension. The nervous laughter. Not wanting to make a scene or make him angry. Every woman knows this feeling.<br><br>But google her and everyone's talking about her dress. <a href="https://t.co/VYikD43RnM">https://t.co/VYikD43RnM</a></p>— Maggie Astor (@MaggieAstor) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaggieAstor/status/1035716985764687877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ellis also apologized to Grande, her fans and Hispanic community for earlier making a joke about seeing her name on the program and speculating it was a new item on the Taco Bell menu.
Source:
Twitter: #MAGA #KeepAmericaGreat! #ArianaGrande #ArianaGrandeMiniDress #ArethaFranklinFuneral #PervertBillClinton #BishopEllisGropingAriana #RespectAriana
Won't be surprised when he goes out of this world? I think the reason he is so addicted to sensuality is his obsession to going out of this world with a smile on his face. Kinda like he knows they're not 72 figs waiting for him on the other side.
What a complete circus. Its perfect… it exposes exactly what the dems are on every level. Racist, perverted, Godless, disrespectful louts that love mirroring themselves. And every event, is just another opportunity to show their ass. DISGRACEFUL! PATHETIC!
Watching those colored heffers munching on popcorn while sitting in the pews was funny. TNB on that. All dem high falootin negras at Areefa’s froonril be crazy yawwz.