In life Aretha Franklin enjoyed electrifying success and now, after her passing, the stage has been set for a dynamic send-off.
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The Queen of Soul passed away at 76 last week after battling pancreatic cancer and preparations are underway for her funeral.
And it’s set to be a star-studded affair.
In a statement to press, Franklin’s longtime publicist Gwendolyn Quinn confirmed that Jennifer Hudson will perform at the August 31st ceremony – which’ll take place at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Michigan.
The news comes after it was revealed that the ‘Dreamgirls’ star was endorsed by Franklin to play her in a big-screen biopic.
Also on the bill are Fantasia, Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Ronald Isley, Chaka Khan, and Jennifer Holliday.
The service will also salute Franklin’s gospel foundation, with performances from gospel staples such as Yolanda Adams, The Clark Sisters, Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, and Marvin Sapp.
The send-off takes place a day before a public memorial and tribute concert at the Chene Park Amphitheatre in Detroit. For that event, Gladys Knight, The Four Tops, and Johnny Gill are among the names tapped to perform.
Suffice to say, the Queen will be fittingly honored by “sangers” aplenty.