Patti Labelle Says A Little Prayer For Aretha Franklin

Yesterday, December 15, at the New York City Community Kitchen of West Harlem, soul-legend Patti Labelle, UK-singer Jay Sean and Sherri Shepherd of The View, volunteered to help with the holiday Food Bank. They served food to those in need of a hot meal, posed for pictures, and Ms. Labelle even sang an impromptu song. ‘I came here becasue I’m blessed and I think you should pass your blessings on to make someone happy—don’t keep it all to yourself,’ said Ms Labelle. She continued, ‘those plates that I made, that may be the last meal for some people for a while. It’s not good, the economy is so bad, everything is jacked up, nobody cares about anybody anymore, so for those people to see Sherri, Jay Sean, myself in line to serve it makes them feel even better.’

When we asked her for a reaction to the news of Aretha Franklin‘s diagnosis with pancreatic cancer, Patti gave the Queen of Soul a moving tribute, saying: 

‘I called her two weeks before it was publicized, so I knew for a long time that she had pancreatic cancer.  And I knew for a long time that she had lost 50 lbs. So, people are going around with bad rumors that she had liposuction – that’s not nice. You know, the lady is suffering. I’ve talked to her manager to see when I should send flowers to her, and all of that kind of stuff. I’m going to go to Detroit just to see her. She’s our Queen – you’ll never, ever find another one like her. Ever. She’s the best! And a lot of people are in pain. I went and lit a candle for her at a cathedral, and you pray for Aretha Franklin now. She will be back. Love you ReRe!’

We love her too, and hope she makes a speedy recovery!