Aretha Franklin Says Tension With Cissy Was Not the Reason Why She Missed Whitney’s Funeral

“Unfortunately I  had terrible leg spasms and locked leg muscles until 4 a.m. this morning following my concert last night, which I’ve been  having for the last few days. I feel it necessary and very important to stay off my leg today as much as possible until concert time this evening.”

“Parents really have to talk to their children before they leave home. They have to make sure when they leave home, they have all the right things. She left home with all the right things but she kind of just lost her way along the way… I thought yes she has conquered her challenges and she is on that way.”

“Extra TV, the New York Post, and Newsday (New York) should stop the BS. Cissy Houston and I have been longtime friends for almost 50 years. I have four invitations and and parking passes that were sent to me for the funeral. Extra TV, the New York Post, and Newsday (New York) are more interested in sensationalism and negative speculations than the truth. People are getting their information from the wrong source. The intelligent and the thoughtful thing to do would be to respect and have some sensitivity to the moment. If you don’t know how, at least try. Cissy does not need ridiculous speculation and neither do I — particularly at this time. Also, with respect to the Today Show my entire statement was pretaped. However, the Today Show did not air the part of my statement which said, ‘This is no reflection on Cissy or Nippy’s upbringing.’ Knowing Cissy as well as I do, I know Whitney left home right and properly. I was generalizing and it was a well intended statement for any young adult coming into the music industry. I was not speaking of anyone specifically.”