Aretha Franklin Never Forgave Dionne Warwick

Aretha Franklin Never Forgave Dionne Warwick for This…

Aretha Franklin was the undisputed Queen of Soul, a powerful force whose music and personality commanded respect worldwide.

But even queens have their feuds, and one of her most enduring conflicts was with Dionne Warwick.

Their long-standing tension wasn’t just typical celebrity gossip—it became legendary.

At the heart of the feud was an incident at Whitney Houston’s funeral in 2012.

Dionne Warwick publicly referred to Aretha as Whitney’s godmother during her eulogy, despite Aretha not attending the funeral.

Warwick introduced the absent Franklin, prompting applause, only to bluntly remark, “She’s not here.” To Aretha, this wasn’t a simple mistake—it was an intentional slight.

Aretha Franklin - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aretha, known for her meticulousness and pride in her reputation, remained silent at the time, respecting the solemnity of the moment.

Yet, she did not forget. Five years later, in 2017, she dramatically broke her silence, sending a detailed fax to the Associated Press.

In it, she explicitly denied Warwick’s claim of being Whitney Houston’s godmother, accusing Warwick of lying.

Franklin publicly stated, “We’ve never been friends, and I don’t think Dionne has ever liked me.”

Dionne Warwick Remembers Aretha Franklin

The feud reignited publicly when Dionne approached Aretha at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival with a request for a hug, to which Aretha infamously responded, “Oh hell no, you couldn’t be serious.”

The tension between the two stars wasn’t just about a funeral misstatement. It represented a decades-long rivalry dating back to their early days in the 1960s when both women were defining their legacies.

Franklin’s powerful and gritty style contrasted sharply with Warwick’s smooth, polished pop elegance, fueling subtle competition for the title of soul’s leading lady.

This tension became legendary, adding to the complexity of Franklin’s relationships with other musical legends, including Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, and Gladys Knight, who publicly acknowledged Aretha’s tendency to hold grudges.

Aretha Franklin & Dionne Warwick Clash At Concert - That Grape Juice

The drama surrounding Franklin and Warwick’s strained relationship offers a glimpse into the challenging dynamics of stardom, legacy, and personal pride.

Ultimately, it wasn’t just about a funeral faux pas—it was about legacy, respect, and the careful orchestration of public image by two of music history’s most unforgettable voices.