After a concert in NYC, Franklin was too exhausted to travel to New Jersey where Houston is being remembered by family and friends.
- Feb 19, 2012
AceShowbiz - Aretha Franklin is no longer in plan to attend Whitney Houston's funeral. The late singer's godmother was expected to sing at the Saturday, February 18 service at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey but she was struck with a bout of illness, her representative confirmed.
Franklin performed at New York City's Radio City Hall on Friday night, paying tribute to Houston, and reportedly was so exhausted that she has to rest a day before performing again on Saturday night. "She would have had to be back in New York by three o'clock at the latest. She feels terrible about it. But she's got to rest," her rep said. Franklin reportedly has been having foot and leg problems and her legs locked up late into the night.
Still scheduled to make musical tribute for Houston are Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and Alicia Keys. Franklin is replaced by Queen Latifah but it is not clear whether the latter will also sing "The Greatest Love of All". Meanwhile, Kevin Costner, Clive Davis, and Dionne Warwick are expected to speak at the funeral.
