Aretha Franklin’s “Celebration of Life” ceremony has drawn artists from all walks of life to honor the Queen of Soul, including Ariana Grande, who performed “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on Friday (Aug. 31).
Grande gave a stunning performance as the chorus provided soulful harmonies for the performance. Grace Temple’s house band also brought the drums, bass and a boost of energy to the set.
After her performance, Grande was met with love and a dose of church shade from the co-officiator, Bishop Charles H. Ellis who joked, “When I saw Ariana Grande at the program, I thought that was a new something at Taco Bell.”
The singer looked awkward during the exchange but laughed it off. “Girl, I gotta give you all your respect,” he said before asking the crowd for another round of applause.
https://twitter.com/knnewagb/status/1035566109880147968
The entire moment was something special for the internet to toss jokes at, including Grande’s choice of dress.
#ArethaFranklinHomegoing The church looking at Ariana Grande's dress like pic.twitter.com/IrG3bGsfqW
— ★PrεttyEyεd Ciεrα★ (@StarCommodity) August 31, 2018
Church elders looking at Ariana Grande #AreathaHomegoing pic.twitter.com/Ud2zeFF8pY
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) August 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/itsjameer/status/1035565828995997697
“No she used to perform for you. She worked for US!” #ArethaFranklinHomegoing pic.twitter.com/WUvE0ZET65
— EricaBeKnowing ? (@ericabeknowing) August 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/KrystieLYandoli/status/1035566292437229570
https://twitter.com/njerieaton/status/1035566678673780737
Ariana Grande baby that’s not what you wear to a funeral #ArethaHomegoing pic.twitter.com/LZgv6yUrNJ
— ?Shauna? (@OpulentBravado) August 31, 2018
Ariana Grande looks like how you look when you come straight to church after being out at the club.
Come as you are, sis. The doors are open. #ArethaHomegoing
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) August 31, 2018
Al Sharpton taking jabs at Trump during Aretha's funeral. This home-going is EVENTFUL. #ArethaFranklinHomegoing pic.twitter.com/QrjiMZsRAA
— Shane from Ogontz (@shanejbernard) August 31, 2018
I take pleasure in knowing exactly when Aretha would be rolling her eyes #arethafranklinfuneral
— DJ Scholarship (@lynneedenise) August 31, 2018
This ain't a program. Saints, this is a PRO GRUM! #ArethaFranklinFuneral pic.twitter.com/odoFQDn7xw
— Drew Drew (@drewshane) August 31, 2018
Find someone who looks at you like Bill Clinton looks at Arianna Grande when Hillary ain’t around pic.twitter.com/VD3AI788YV
— anthonybarberio (@antbarberio1) August 31, 2018
Grande had a fan in Aretha, as the two met several times. Gwendolyn Quinn, a Franklin family spokeswoman, told the Free Press of Grande, “Aretha was fond of her.”
Other performances at the ceremony include Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Shirley Caesar, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
READ MORE: Watch Aretha Franklin’s “Celebration Of Life” Memorial Service In Detroit