• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Celebrity

A True Diva Salute: Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross and Mariah Carey Share Memories In Honor Of Aretha Franklin’s Passing

A True Diva Send-off: How Fellow Icons Paid Tribute to Aretha Franklin
By Lauren Porter · Updated December 6, 2020
Singers, both young and seasoned, flooded social media on Thursda,y following the news that Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin lost her battle with pancreatic cancer. As tributes came pouring in from all around Hollywood, divas of all ages shared throwback photos, sweet memories, and career highlights dedicated to the songstress, who passed away at age 76. Patti LaBelle called Franklin, who was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, her “sister in song.” Mariah Carey shared a photo of herself with the late singer, performing together at the VH1 Divas Live tribute in April 1998, calling Franklin her “inspiration, mentor, and friend.” Brandy thanked Franklin “for unchaining every door for so many of us to walk through,” and the boss, Ms. Dianna Ross, offered prayers for the spirit of Franklin.
Beyoncé posted on her website, that Frankin would be “forever in our hearts” just days after she and husband Jay-Z dedicated their Detroit stop of their On The Run II tour to her. Gladys Knight shared a note on Instagram that read in part, “You have touched minds, hearts, and spirits, including my own. Yes, we are sisters and we squabbled as sisters do. But we also loved, supported and laughed together through our lifetime.” Lauryn Hill, who collaborated with the singer on the 1998 classic cut, “A Rose Is Still A Rose,” shared a message via Instagram as well, writing that Franklin’s “contribution to music and to the empowerment and enrichment of our hearts, spirits, and souls is immeasurable.” Here are some of the send-offs that warmed our hearts in the memory of The Queen.

Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul. The Icon. The ultimate singers' singer. The greatest singer and musician of my lifetime. The power of your voice in music and in civil rights blew open the door for me and so many others. You were my inspiration, my mentor and my friend. You showed me I could sing the songs I wanted to sing and bring God with me. You've inspired millions everywhere yet never left home, never left church. Today the entire world mourns your home-going and celebrates all the brilliance you left behind. I will forever cherish the moments I spent in your presence. Your indelible impact was earned not only by your incomparable voice but by your bigger than life personality, wit and humor. I say a BIG prayer for you. You will forever have all our RESPECT. Love, Mariah ♥️

A post shared by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey) on Aug 16, 2018 at 9:45am PDT

I am deeply saddened about the passing of the Queen of Soul and my sister in song, Aretha Franklin. Today the world has experienced a tremendous loss. Aretha was a rare treasure whose unmatched musical genius helped craft the soundtrack to the lives of so many. My sympathy, love and prayers go out to her family, loved ones and fans around the globe. ❤

A post shared by Patti LaBelle (@mspattilabelle) on Aug 16, 2018 at 8:02am PDT

I’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.

— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) August 16, 2018

Why am I just hearing about this 😔😢 please Pray for Aretha Franklin she is like my Aunt and one I’ve always Loved and admired, she’s one you just think in your head will never go away.

A post shared by Fantasia Taylor (@tasiasword) on Aug 13, 2018 at 12:18pm PDT

I can’t believe this…. #ArethaFranklin ..although you have transitioned into the omnipresence of God, you are forever #immortal … Your music lives on through all of us. Thank you so much for unchaining every door for so many of us to walk through. #ForeverLoved 💡#QueenOfSoul #RestInPeace 🙏🏾

A post shared by b r 📖n d y— norwood (@4everbrandy) on Aug 16, 2018 at 9:52am PDT

Aretha, Well my sister, our Father in Heaven has called you home, but we are so very grateful to Him for blessing you with such an awesome gift to share with us. Your music set a standard for every single lady in this industry to rise to. You have touched minds, hearts and spirits, including my own. Yes, we are sisters and we squabbled as sisters do. But we also loved, supported and laughed together through our lifetime. I pray you have a smooth journey Ree Ree and hopefully I'll get to sing with you in the Heavenly choir. RESPECT to the Queen of Soul. 👑 I love you. - Gladys

A post shared by Gladys Knight (@msgladysknight) on Aug 16, 2018 at 10:15am PDT

I have no words , so I will let the Queen say it ! But I will Say while teaching me about your life , u taught me so much about life and schooled me in mine . I will never forget those teachings

A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on Aug 16, 2018 at 11:00am PDT

A message from Ms.Hill: Rest In Peace to our Queen of Soul. Her contribution to music and to the empowerment and enrichment of our hearts, Spirits and souls is immeasurable. Thank you Ms. Aretha Franklin for sharing your anointed gifts with us. They changed the world. We are deeply grateful! ♥️MLH

A post shared by @ ms_laurynhill on Aug 16, 2018 at 10:39am PDT

What a fitting send-off for a true legendary diva.
TOPICS:  Aretha Franklin
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now