Aretha Franklin: “It’s A New Chapter In My Life”

“I Am Just Thankful For God’s Grace”

BY CLARENCE WALDRON

Aretha Franklin is standing in her spacious kitchen as she tells JET what she bought at the grocery store earlier that day. She’s got “a lot of good stuff”, she says, rattling off the ingredients for what she calls “an Aretha salad.” Radishes, tomatoes, red onions, olives, carrots, just a little shredded cheese, topped off with ranch dressing and a little lemon. “It is just too good when you get down to the last third of a salad - what I call the ‘heart’ of the salad, when all of those seasonings come together”, she exclaims.

At this point in her life, she prefers “organic food, all-natural food”, and “different things free of gluten”, she says.

“It’s a new chapter in my life”, she declares. “It’s a brand new me - I am still the same but with some changes.”

Franklin’s fans worldwide saw the “slimmed-down Aretha” and “the pink gown” she wore in a taped greeting for the Grammy Awards. She has lost 25 pounds, she reveals, since a Dec. 2 surgery for an undisclosed illness that she has not discussed publicly. Franklin announced last year that she was canceling all concert dates until May at her doctor’s request.

“I am not one to do a lot of talking about my personal health or business”, she told JET earlier this year during an exclusive interview. But she told fans, “The problem has been resolved. The doctors are satisfied, I am satisfied, my family is satisfied.”

Franklin reiterated to JET that she’s not discussing the topic. “I’ve pretty much said all there is to say. I’ve left all that behind me.”

Today, she is focused on making healthy choices for her life.

“I go to the healthier foods that are less chemically treated”, Franklin says. “Now I have a cleaner, healthier diet. I am drinking lots of water to get rid of the toxins in my body. It’s a natural flushing. Water flushes your system and is also very good for your skin.”

And with the new weight loss, she says, “I am going to get a little sassier. Yes, I am going to get a little sassier now.”

Franklin recalls her old eating habits: “I used to have hamburgers coming and going, especially when I was on the road. Now, occasionally I will still have that quarter pounder because I love fast food, but you have to keep it to a minimum. I am now opting for salads and just healthier lunches.”

This time in her life finds the Queen of Soul working out like she never has before. She does about 30 minutes of cardio three times a week. “If I can work in that fourth day, I’ll do it.” She has a personal trainer and likes walking on the treadmill of her suburban Detroit home and on the track at a health club.

She remains under her doctors’ care. “They want me to build up my stamina and strength so that I am ready for my concert tour in the spring.”

Franklin said she appreciated the all-star musical tribute she received during the Grammys from Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Christina Aguilera, Martina McBride and Florence Welch. “I couldn’t wait until they came on. I sat right in front of the TV with a cup of banana pudding and loved every minute of it. Everyone was wonderful, Jennifer, Christina, everyone. And they looked fabulous. But I especially loved Yolanda. She put it where it was. Bravo, ladies.”

Franklin says she’s celebrating her March 25 birthday with a private soiree with family and friends in New York. “A lady doesn’t tell her age”, she laughs.

Her birthday wish is to drop one more dress size. She has already dropped three.

“By my birthday I will be a 16 - that’s my birthday wish and I just want to continue my super maintained health.”

She says, “I look wonderful to myself at size 14 or 16. But 16 is OK too. I will rest my case at 16.” And she notes that, “Brothers like it and I like ‘giving him something he can feel’”, she says with a a laugh, referring to her ’70s soul classic from the movie Sparkle.

A 12-CD box set, Take a Look: Aretha Franklin Complete On Columbia, drops March 22, and it includes all of the music she recorded on the Columbia Records label from 1960-1965 before she switched to Atlantic Records and was crowned the Queen of Soul.

The box set marks the 50th anniversary of her pop-soul recording career.

“I played it myself here at the house. I love all of the cuts. I sang along to the music. I still knew all the words. It brings back special memories. It is so special to be doing music 50 years later.”

Her long-awaited CD of brand-new music, Aretha: A Woman Falling Out Of Love, is set for release in May and will be available at Walmart.

The singer’s celebrity friends and fans are rejoicing in her recovery as they count the days to her return to the concert stage.

Longtime family friend Rev. Jesse Jackson prayed with her during her illness and accompanied her to a recent Detroit Pistons game in the city.

“I am excited, delighted and thrilled that she has pulled through with such amazing strength and faith. Through even the most difficult time, her faith shines through like a light in the darkness. She has deep, deep religious roots. And the amazing thing about Aretha is that she remains current. She is still creating new music and releasing CDs. She is superior in her craftsmanship and her values.”

Scholar Michael Eric Dyson visited Franklin during the holiday season and recently told JET: “I am so thrilled to see the Queen of Soul on the mend and back in public view. I can’t wait to hear that majestic voice once again cascading down on us in full force … It was amazing to see her looking so beautiful and regal on television during the Grammys broadcast.

Dyson adds, “When she finally makes her first appearance in public to sing again, I want to be right on the front row cheering her on …”

Recalling her road back to the spotlight, Franklin says, “I am just thankful for God’s grace and people’s prayers. I know that He is able to carry your right on through. Don’t be discouraged if you are having a hard time — hang tough”, she says. “Trust in God. He will make a way for you, if you try Him. Surely He is able. I never doubted that for a moment.”