Bishop Charles H Ellis III who led the service at Aretha Franklin's funeral has apologised after he supposedly groped Ariana Grande after she performed for mourners.
Men are disgusting. He’s in the public eye, Ariana is a known public figure and he still can’t stop being a pervert. pic.twitter.com/3Bpd2RXDpg
— Mahwash Ajaz (@mahwashajaz_) September 1, 2018
He said the alleged inappropriateness was unintentional. He also apologised to her and "the whole Hispanic community" for making a joke about her name saying he didn't know who she was and thought she was a new item on the Taco Bell menu.
Speaking to Associated Press, Bishop Ellis said: "It would never be my intention to touch any woman’s breast. ... I don’t know I guess I put my arm around her.
"Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar but again, I apologise.
"I hug all the female artists and the male artists.
"Everybody that was up, I shook their hands and hugged them. That’s what we are all about in the church. We are all about love.
"The last thing I want to do is to be a distraction to this day. This is all about Aretha Franklin."
You can watch Grande's performance of "Natural Woman" below. Other stars who performed at the service include Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Hudson.
Cover photo via: Variety on Youtube
