Beyonce and Jay-Z Honor 'Gravely Ill' Aretha Franklin at Detroit Show
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Music

The power couple open the show by telling the crowd, 'This show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin.'

AceShowbiz - Beyonce and Jay-Z dedicated a performance to Aretha Franklin on Monday, August 13 after performing in her hometown of Detroit where she is reportedly "gravely ill".

A stream of celebrities have been sending their well wishes to the Queen of Soul after reports emerged from gossip website Showbiz 411 claiming she is fighting for her life at the end stages of cancer.

Taking to the stage at the Ford Field stadium in Downtown Detroit, music's power couple Beyonce and Jay-Z joined in the tributes by opening their On The Run II Tour performance with a salute to the star.

"'This show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin," Beyonce exclaimed to the 44,000-strong crowd, according to editors at Billboard. "We love you and thank you for all the beautiful music."

Earlier in the evening, the duo's support act DJ Khaled also paid tribute to the singing icon by asking the audience to "send some love to Aretha Franklin" and playing her iconic 1967 hit Respect.

The dedications come hours after a number of Hollywood stars took to social media to send love to the music veteran amid news of her ailing health. They were led by Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott and Ciara, who all shared their prayers for Aretha and her family.

Rapper Missy also reminded her followers of a tweet she sent out earlier this year, adding: "we MUST CELEBRATE the Living Legends while they are here to see it. So many have given us decades of Timeless music...".

Dancer Paula Abdul and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda were also among those to declare their love for the star.

Aretha is believed to be surrounded by family and close friends, who rushed to be by her bedside on Monday.

The singer has been in declining health for the past couple of years and had retired from touring. She last performed on 7 November at an Elton John AIDS Foundation event in New York City. Her family has asked for "prayers and privacy" during this time.

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