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This past Sunday, Aretha Franklin turned up on the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards – her first television appearance since undergoing surgery for an undisclosed ailment in December.
Following a star-studded Grammy Awards tribute and the show's opening number by Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride and Florence Welch, the Queen of Soul appeared noticeably slimmer in a video clip, where she thanked fans for their cards, flowers and prayers.
And, if the 68 year-old vocal powerhouse has her choice, she will keep shedding more pounds in the near future.
"I want to not only maintain the weight I am at now, but better it, by one dress size," the 'Respect' singer told the Associated Press this week.
Franklin has not only begun an exercise routine, which includes walking a track three times a week for at least a mile, she's also made a few major adjustments to her diet in her goal to reach a size 16.
Gone are the chitterlings, pigs' feet and ham hocks of days past. Now, she's focused on healthier eating options."They're off my diet. They just really don't fit with Whole Foods," she said. "I had it for enough years that I don't miss it. You can't continue to eat things that are not good for you."
Franklin admitted that keeping the diet is tough with the touring schedule she keeps.
"When you come off (a high-energy concert), a carrot or some celery just isn't going to work," she said. "I've gotta do a fresh fruit thing ... and come up with some tasty and satisfying recipes that are going to work for me after concerts."
For now, the 18-time Grammy Award winner, who stands firm that she currently is back at "150 percent," is gearing up for her first post-surgery performance on May 28 at Seneca Niagara Casino in Buffalo, NY.
She is practicing her singing four to five times a day and plans to release an album the first week of May titled 'Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love' exclusively in Wal-Mart Stores. R. Kelly is one of the album's songwriters.
"It's definitely going to take the boomers back ... but it's also contemporary with respect to other writers and production," she said.
Franklin has been hitting the town – attending a Detroit Pistons game with her friend Rev. Jesse Jackson and days later turned up at a boat show. Let her tell it, her goal remains to "just maintain good health from here."
Her Royal Highness
After recording a string of jazz and blues projects for Columbia Records, Memphis born songstress Aretha Franklin landed at Atlantic Records in 1966. "They made me sit down on the piano and the hits came," she later said about her legacy there.
Aretha Franklin performing during a Martin Luther King Benefit at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on June 28, 1968.
Aretha Franklin with 'Soul Train' creator Don Cornelius. Franklin was one of many entertainers who performed on the long-running show during its 1970s heyday.
Aretha Franklin rehearsing for Inaugural Eve program for newly elected US President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale at the Kennedy Center in 1977.
Flanked in fur, Aretha Franklin in the press room at the Grammy Awards, circa early 1980s.
Aretha Franklin performing in Chicago on April 18, 1985.
Aretha Franklin, pictured here with Atlantic Records chairman Ahmet Ertegun (circa early 1990s), at a private music industry party.
Aretha Franklin and Luciano Pavarotti are photographed at the 8th Annual Music Cares Gala in Honor of the famed opera singer. The event took place at New York City's posh Waldorf Astoria Hotel on February 23, 1998.
Aretha Franklin held royal court during the broadcast of 'VH1 Divas Live' at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on April 14, 1998. During the show's finale a stirring rendition of her classic song, 'Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel),' The Queen of Soul is joined by Gloria Estefan, Mariah Carey, Carole King, Celine Dion and Shania Twain.
On September 29, 1999, President Bill Clinton, along with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, awarded Aretha Franklin with the 1999 National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.
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Comments: (46)
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By: youngblacked on 2/18/2011 3:54PM
woow she looks awesome...God is good if anybody can spare a second look at this
http://ybe-news.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-black-agenda-part-i.html
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By: Gichaya on 2/25/2011 5:40PM
I don't care what Miss Franklin did to lose the weight, I'm just glad that she lost it. She looks fantastic. I hope she sticks to her lifestyle change regiment, because that is probably the best thing that she's done for herself in a while.
Now if she could only talk Gabby Sidibe into saving herself from a future of illnesses that's due to obesity, that would be grrrrrrrrrrrreat
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By: Garcia on 2/18/2011 4:21PM
Aretha I love you, I want more of you. I hope someone is watch over 'cause we can slip. Be Safe
God Bless YOU. Your looking great!
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By: "DimePiece" on 2/18/2011 4:28PM
Wow, to the second pic of Aretha? In that pic she didn't have covered and had a better support for that dress? I'm just sayin and not being ignorant. Yes, she looks nice and healthy now but PLEASE don't deceive ya fans and not clearin up RUMORS about havin cancer and dyin? People were cryin over her? That's not fare to the FANS. Why NOW, is she just now tellin ALL? I respect, the Queen of Soul but she should respect her fans too by tellin the real story? I feel like this, it is the FANS BUSINESS the media made it PUBLIC. If it wasn't for the fans Ms. Aretha wouldn't be where she is today?
I hope she is doin well and not doin this for the media about gettin fit. Yes, I'm glad she cut all that pork and is on a regiment diet but why did it take so many years for her to realize that her weight was a life & death situation? Why couldn't somebody work wit her years before so it wouldn't have came to this if the people that love & really care? I just feel, after somethin major operation like that, not to rush and do everything all at once goin on tours, puttin albums out, ect..? I say, take time to adjust, take it easy, and don't rush to try to do everything take care of SELF. Music will always be here and her FANS aren't goin anywhere to fully recover mentally & physically. I will pray for her and wish her well. That's my opinion.
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By: "DimePiece" on 2/18/2011 4:42PM
I meant to say in my comment that, "Ms. Aretha should have had a better support for that dress or should have worn somethin else"? I'm sure she had breast reduction too? My sister had that years ago and her breasts were big and was givin her back problems. After her surgery she felt much better and was glad that the access fat from her breast was gone! Now she has better posture. I know Ms. Aretha feels a whole lot better too and glad she doesn't have any back problems no more and she feels much lighter with her overall weight now.
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By: "DimePiece" on 2/18/2011 4:48PM
I'm thinkin, Ms. Aretha might have had a lot of surgery's done in one day that made this a life threatin situation? Remember Kanye's Mom that was havin a lot of surgery done in one day but unfortunately died of complications?
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By: Tyrique on 2/18/2011 5:40PM
"Mama Franklin," u look absolutely GRRRREEEAT! You're looker younger and everything, despite whether you had gastric by-pass surgery or not, who freakin' cares??? If you did have gastric by-pass surgery, it was for your own health reason, your own good, and per your doctor's instructions or you wouldn't be here with us today. Fat is the enemy and it most definitely will have a person looking old, and now that you're down to that size 16, your inner-youth as blossomed once again! You look MARVELOUS!
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By: Tyrique on 2/21/2011 1:54PM
[correction]: inner-youth has blossomed(sorry for the typo)
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By: Teedee on 2/19/2011 6:53AM
I'm with you, Aretha looks "Fantabulous" who cares how she got this way, she did it & thats all that counts. I'm a 51 yr. young black women so, I have followed my lady for years. GOD BLESS YOU girl for making the necessary changes in your life to be better. LOL.
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By: Dark gable on 2/18/2011 6:50PM
It's not hard! If you abuse God's body by engaging in glutenous behavior you will perish! You cant eat like a pig and think you will look like a Queen!
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