Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, was known for her powerhouse voice, commanding stage presence, and unwavering sense of self. But behind the velvet voice and iconic hits like “Respect” and “Natural Woman” was a woman unafraid to speak her mind—even when it ruffled feathers.

Though Aretha was famously private about many aspects of her life, she was also fiercely honest, and as she aged, that honesty only grew bolder. At 76, just two years before her death in 2018, Franklin reportedly opened up to close confidants—and in select interviews—about the artists she didn’t exactly admire. In fact, she named seven musicians she truly disliked—some due to personal slights, others because she simply didn’t respect their artistry.

Here’s a rare look at the rumored list and the reasons behind the Queen’s unfiltered opinions.

Dionne Warwick

Aretha’s feud with Dionne Warwick is one of the few that was very public. The bad blood reached its peak in 2017, when Aretha sent a fax to the Associated Press accusing Warwick of fabricating a story at Whitney Houston’s funeral, where Dionne claimed Aretha was supposed to sing but didn’t show up.

Aretha was livid. “She blatantly lied on me… fully well knowing what she was doing,” she wrote.

Though Warwick never responded directly, the moment revealed just how serious Aretha was about her image and being misrepresented—especially by peers.

Patti LaBelle

Though both women were soul legends, Aretha and Patti LaBelle reportedly had a cold, long-running rivalry. While neither ever confirmed a full-blown feud, there were years of speculation, subtle shade in interviews, and famously no duets between the two. Fans even captured footage that allegedly showed Aretha snubbing Patti at an event.

Their mutual silence about each other spoke volumes. Aretha believed in earned respect—and there are claims she didn’t believe Patti showed her the deference she expected from a fellow soul singer.

Natalie Cole

Despite being the daughter of Nat King Cole and a Grammy-winning singer in her own right, Natalie Cole didn’t always impress Aretha Franklin. Some insiders claimed Aretha felt Natalie was “coasting on her father’s name” early in her career.

Tensions grew in the ’90s when Cole was seen as “next in line” for the soul throne. Aretha, ever proud and protective of her legacy, reportedly said, “There is only one Queen.” That was her line, and she defended it to the end.

Tina Turner

Though they shared the same stage in the history of music, Aretha and Tina Turner were never close. Aretha was reportedly offended when Rolling Stone and other outlets named Tina “The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” while Franklin felt her own title was “the real crown.”

Aretha also felt Tina’s gritty style lacked the “vocal elegance” she valued. There was no public feud—but no friendship either.

Beyoncé (Briefly)

This one shocked fans. In 2008, at the Grammys, Beyoncé introduced Tina Turner as “the Queen,” leading Aretha to release a statement calling the remark a “cheap shot” and “a lapse in judgment.”

While the tension cooled later, and Aretha performed tributes to Beyoncé in her final years, that moment reflected how much she guarded her legacy. Even modern icons weren’t above her sharp eye.

Cissy Houston

The mother of Whitney Houston and a gospel legend herself, Cissy Houston reportedly had a falling out with Aretha over disagreements about Whitney’s legacy and Aretha’s role in her life. Aretha often referred to Whitney as her “honorary goddaughter,” but Cissy reportedly didn’t like that title, suggesting it was more publicity than reality.

It may have been a matter of pride—but it left a quiet rift between two gospel greats.

Smokey Robinson (Surprisingly)

Although Aretha and Smokey Robinson were Motown contemporaries and friends early on, insiders say there were periods of tension—largely over creative differences and industry politics. Aretha, known for her independence, reportedly didn’t trust Smokey’s closeness with certain music executives she distrusted. While their relationship never boiled over publicly, those close to Aretha say she “kept him at a distance” in her later years.