Photo — Aretha Franklin: Original publication: Billboard Magazine Immediate source: page 7 (Public domain) · Dionne Warwick: Dionne Warwick (CC BY 2.0)
The Short Version
In April 2017, Aretha Franklin sent a lengthy fax to the Associated Press accusing Dionne Warwick of libel regarding comments Warwick made at Whitney Houston's 2012 funeral, where Warwick erroneously stated Franklin was Houston's godmother.
Latest Development
Warwick Representative Declines to Respond
Warwick's representative, Angelo Ellerbee, issued a statement saying Warwick would not dignify Franklin's statements with a response.
April 26, 2017 · Denial
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
April 26, 2017
Warwick Representative Declines to Respond
DenialWarwick's representative, Angelo Ellerbee, issued a statement saying Warwick would not dignify Franklin's statements with a response.
Source ↗April 25, 2017
Franklin Sends Fax to AP Accusing Warwick of Libel
Public statementAretha Franklin sent a lengthy fax to the Associated Press and followed up with a phone call accusing Warwick of libel over her 2012 funeral comments. Franklin stated, 'At this point, it isn't about an apology, it's about libel,' and declared that the two 'have never been friends.'
Source ↗April 2017
Franklin Rejects Hug from Warwick at Film Festival
Verified eventAt a Tribeca Film Festival event honoring Clive Davis, Warwick approached Franklin and asked for a hug. Franklin refused, later recalling that she responded, 'Oh, hell no. You couldn't be serious.'
Source ↗2012
Warwick Refers to Franklin as Houston's Godmother at Funeral
Public statementAt Whitney Houston's funeral, Dionne Warwick told attendees that Franklin was absent but loved Houston as if she were born to her and was her godmother. Franklin was not present due to swollen feet before a scheduled performance at Radio City Music Hall, and later clarified she was never Houston's godmother.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Historical. In April 2017, Dionne Warwick's representative stated that Warwick would not dignify Franklin's accusations with a response. Franklin stated that she and Warwick had never been friends.
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Sources
- 1.SourceWarwick Representative Declines to Respond · Apr 26, 2017
- 2.SourceFranklin Sends Fax to AP Accusing Warwick of Libel · Apr 25, 2017
- 3.SourceFranklin Rejects Hug from Warwick at Film Festival ·
- 4.SourceWarwick Refers to Franklin as Houston's Godmother at Funeral ·
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.