Bishop Charles H. Ellis Issues Ariana Grande Public Apology Over Awkward Inappropriate Touching During Aretha Franklin Funeral

After receiving some major backlash on social media yesterday, the Bishop who led the funeral for Aretha Franklin on Friday, has now issued an apology to singer Ariana Grande according to Detroit News:

The bishop who officiated Aretha Franklin’s funeral apologized Friday to Ariana Grande for how he touched her onstage and a joke he made about her name.

Bishop Charles H. Ellis III led Franklin’s funeral and awkwardly greeted Grande on stage after she performed “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Images of the moment showed Ellis’ hand holding Grande well above her waist, with his fingers pressing against one side of her chest.

The preacher apologized in an interview with The Associated Press at the cemetery where Franklin was interred late Friday.

“It would never be my intention to touch any woman’s breast. … I don’t know I guess I put my arm around her,” Ellis said. “Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar but again, I apologize.”

In case you missed the awkward moment, get in below around the 3:10 mark after her performance of ‘Natural Woman.’