Aretha Franklin was left “highly insulted” earlier this month after she was asked to become the latest celebrity spokesperson for weight-loss giant Jenny Craig. The Queen of Soul — who tips the scales at nearly 300 pounds nowadays — turned them down flat.

Whoa there, Queen! Are you sure you don’t want to rethink that one?

This wouldn’t have been Ms. Aretha’s first soiree with Jenny. The 67-year-old singer signed up with the company two years ago and dropped 25 pounds on a 1,750 calorie-a-day diet. Aretha quit Jenny Craig a few months later, complaining that she was “always starving.”

In the June 2007 issue of Sister 2 Sister Magazine, Aretha said: “I lost 23 or 24 pounds to begin with, but it’s kind of a strain when you get to 23 or 24 pounds. That’s why I got off of it. It’s a strain because you’re eating the Jenny Craig-type meals, which are very good. But you can only eat them for so long before you want some barbecue ribs or some pigs feet. Once you get off that Jenny Craig thing and you start eating what you’ve been eating, it’s all over.”

The Washington-based museum wants the topper for an exhibit on President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

The Queen of Soul says she’s considering donating the gray, felt hat hat she wore while belting out “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” at the inauguration last month to the Smithsonian Institution.

Lots of folks have fallen head over heels in love with Ms. Aretha’s over-the-top inauguration hat.

The Detriot-based hatmaker who made the headwear soul legend Aretha Franklin wore to the inauguration of President Barack Obama has been inundated with orders for the the grey hat with a Swarovski rhinestone-bordered bow.

Luke Song, of Mr. Song Millinery, created an ethnic church-style hat for the Queen of Soul to wear as she sang My Country, ‘Tis of Thee at Tuesday’s inauguration.

We even have a lot of men calling to get it for their wives, mothers and grandmothers,” Luke said in an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday.

“They want the same hat, but they understand it’s for the queen only. Ninety-nine percent said, ‘That’s fine. I’ll get the next best thing.’”

Aretha Franklin, also known as “I’m The Queen of Soul-And Don’t You Ever Forget It,” created a big stir at Tuesday’s historic inauguration of President Barack Obama when she appeared on the West Front of the Capitol for an over-the-top performance of “My Country, Tis of Thee” wearing a flamboyant church hat.

She did a helluva of job with the song, but that hat is fug. Sorry, Queen.

Let us know what you thought of Ms. Aretha’s performance.

The powerhouse songstress will perform at President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration in the Nation’s Capital on January 20, congressional leaders announced Wednesday.

The program line-up will also include a prayer by Pastor Rick Warren and a cello performance by Yo-Yo Ma.

Thoughts on this?

Aretha Franklin, Ms. “I’m The Only Queen And Don’t You Forget It!,” herself was in the Big Apple for a chat with the ladies of The View on Monday.

Swooping to the rescue complete with red tights and a cape, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has offered to save Aretha Franklin’s home from foreclosure, just as long as she promises to never wear fur again.

Aretha Franklin’s $700,000 Detroit-area mansion has slipped into foreclosure and the singing legend owes a total of $19,192 in back taxes on the property. She only has until March 31st to pay her debt and reclaim her home, and PETA is willing to help her come up with the dough.

The animal rights group, who placed Aretha atop it’s 2008 list of “Worst Dressed Celebrity,” has written a letter to the “RESPECT” star offering to pay her $19,000 tax bill if she promises to never wear fur again and donate her unwanted furs to the group.

“Dear Ms. Franklin,

“President”

Matthew Knowles has gained an ally in his feud with The Queen of Soul. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have written a scathing letter to Aretha Franklin, blasting the music legend for her penchant for fur-filled ensembles-and they threw in a few lard ass wisecracks for good measure.

Dear Aretha (Franklin),

Dan Mathews
Vice President
PETA