Ariana Grande Beautifully Belted 'Natural Woman' At Aretha Franklin's Funeral: Watch

Ariana Grande celebrated Aretha Frankin's life and legacy on Friday (August 31) with a powerful tribute at the late singer's funeral service. Taking the stage at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple, Grande brought her A-game to a moving efficiency of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Organic Woman," a beloved hit from the Queen of Soul, who died earlier this month at age 76 right after battling pancreatic cancer.


Singing a Franklin classic in front of the late icon's friend and relative was no doubt a daunting task, yet Grande handled it with grace, keeping her common verbal gymnastics in check to deliver a pretty, faithful rendition. She was backed by a little sort of soulful backup singers, and moved a couple of members of the crowd — which included her fiancé, Pete Davidson, and former President Bill Clinton — to sing along. Grande's ex and Detroit native Big Sean even gave her a sweet standing ovation.


After Grande's efficiency, Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, who co-officiated the ceremony, joked about the 25-year-old's inclusion in the service. Any time I saw Ariana Grande on the program, I thought that was a new something at Taco Bell," he hilariously quipped, because the singer and the rest of the congregation laughed. He sweetly added, "Girl, let me give you all your respect. Did you all adore this icon? She's an icon herself." Grande, for her part, added an eas, "We love you, Aretha" before trotting off stage.


Grande — who joined a star-studded list of performers that included Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, and Jennifer Hudson — was asked to sing at the funeral right after Franklin's family member was moved by her emotional rendition of organic Woman" on The Tonight Show earlier this month. On the show, Grande recounted her memories of meeting Franklin, saying, "I met her a couple of times. We sang at the White Home, and she was so sweet, and she was so pretty. I was like, 'How are you a real person?' It’s a honor to have met her, and we’re gonna celebrate her."


She certainly did just that. Revisit Grande's Tonight Show tribute below.