Aretha Franklin's estate responds to Wendy Williams throwing shade at upcoming movie about singer's gospel concert

By Mona Austin The Aretha Franklin estate has released a statement correcting shady critiques from day-time talk show host Wendy Williams,  who criticized an upcoming movie of the iconic singer's 1972 Gospel concert recording, "Amazing Grace."  The event was a match made in heaven between "The Queen of Soul" and the "King of Gospel," Rev. James Cleveland and his choir. Recorded at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church located in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, this record is the top-selling live gospel recording of all time. The long-delayed documentary film is finally being released on April 19, having been in the vault for 46 years.  Williams showed a clip from Franklin's performance, dissed her appearance and the quality of the footage, assuming Franklin would not have wanted the film to be released. VIEW THE AMAZING GRACE TRAILER

The estate said Williams' commentary “indicates that she has neither seen the documentary nor understands its import or intent.”

Williams  surmised that Franklin initially blocked the release because she wanted a better quality product and since bills are now due following her passing the estate is releasing the  film to pay off outstanding debts.

The executors fought back saying  Williams is a gossip who should get the facts straight: “Wendy Williams is the host of the most-watched daytime gossip show in syndicated television. However, that does not give her license to offer misleading commentary about a legacy entertainer based on unverified information.” In 2008 Alan Elliott (Warner Brothers Records) took over producing and directing duties and with the family's blessings he brought to life not only a piece of music history, an important slice of Franklin's life, but also a piece of Black and American history.

The statement clarified why the film had been placed on hold, explaining:

“. . .while Franklin had initially imposed an injunction on “Amazing Grace,” her objections had nothing to do with its quality; negotiations were incomplete at the time of her death. Her family feels this documentary is another prime example of The Queen of Soul’s genius.” On the evening of the recording, the church was packed. The praise was high. Rev. Cleveland played and spoke during interludes. Aretha said little. Mick Jagger was spotted feeling the music, the spirit. Aretha was the performer, but over the two nights it took to birth "Amazing Grace," faith was the star of the show. Many who have seen it have remarked that The Queen's voice was markedly pristine that night. That voice was a product of the Black church, a true gift from God and on this recording the world can now witness her giving it back to Him. It was known that Franklin withheld the release. We may never know the full extent of why the singer fought so long to keep the film from being seen, but she had a reputation about being very particular. It should also be noted that she was ahead of her time with the idea to have a dual release of a movie and music. She, understandably would have wanted it to be done right. It was said that the main reason we didn't see the movie is because it was impossible. At the time of the recording there was a glitch that did not sync the audio with the video. Back then there were no editing tools to correct the problem. Now there are.

Williams also observed Franklin's appearance was understated for the occasion:

“Now, you know, Miss Franklin she was very into her showgirl glamour and stuff. This was just regular makeup for her. She would want the pressed hair, and the done lashes, and a good outfit and her background people to be fabulous.”

Although the film was kept in its organic state, Williams further bashed it for being shot with only one camera and discouraged her audience from seeing it. "Guys, this is a one camera shot. They want you to go to the movies to see this," she said as the audience For all the venom Wendy spewed, the film is critically acclaimed. The  documentary was screened at a film festival in New York in December and received positive reviews. It was announced this week that "Amazing Grace" will open the Roger Ebert Film Festival. Former UCLA Music Professor and a colleague of Elliott's, James Roberson said he flew 4000 miles to see "Amazing Grace" and, "It was well worth the wait." A review in Variety by Owen Gleiberman indicates Aretha's voice was on another level: "In “Amazing Grace” her voice never leaves the higher register. The effect is ecstatic; she sounds like the holiest of trumpets, with every note piercingly bright yet as soft as velvet. Listening to Franklin, you feel like you could ride that voice into the heavens. She’s not just a singer, she’s a human chariot."

And ultimately, isn't that what this film is about? Her voice over visuals? While Williams does not feel the film is up to par, her attempt to stirring up controversy about it has clearly failed.

More on Amazing Grace by Aretha Franklin. . . James Cleveland and Aretha Franklin were friends and musical contemporaries who worked together, prayed and played together. In 1972, they recorded the greatest live gospel album of all time, "Amazing Grace," which was simultaneously filmed as a documentary. The album received the Grammy in 1973 for Best Gospel Album. The project was Franklin's top selling record. Included on it are some of the Queen of Soul's most memorable gems including "Mary Don't You Weep," "How I Got Over" and "Amazing Grace."

The full statement from the Aretha Franklin Estate:  

Aretha Franklin was an icon, a musical genius, and a much-awarded American cultural treasure. Therefore, it is astounding that on the March 15, 2019, broadcast of The Wendy Williams Show, host Wendy Williams made a series of inaccurate and disparaging statements about the Aretha Franklin concert film “Amazing Grace,” which opens in limited theaters on April 5, 2019, and nationally on April 19, 2019. Her commentary indicates that she has neither seen the documentary nor understands its import or intent. 

First, “Amazing Grace” was conceived as a documentary. The footage was shot by Oscar-winning director Sydney Pollack in anticipation of broadcasting a once-in-a-lifetime event – a live gospel album recording – but was never completed for technical reasons. The film remnants were rediscovered, restored and championed over two decades by producer Alan Elliott. As such, the unburnished images capture Aretha Franklin in New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles in 1972, as a premiere R&B and gospel interpreter who had just notched eight consecutive R&B Number One hits. Ms. Franklin had specifically sought to perform in a stripped-down, church-service setting. By showing a brief clip out of context and mocking its quality on her show, Williams inaccurately represented Ms. Franklin and the movie to her audience.  

Second, 1972 was the era of Black Power, and Black Is Beautiful. In her short natural hair and simple makeup, Ms. Franklin was in step with the times and appropriate to the occasion. There was no “showgirl glamour,” no “pressed hair” and no “eyelashes” – the lack of which Williams ridiculed on her program. The simplicity of the presentation gives “Amazing Grace” its power. Scholars, film critics, pop culture experts, and Hollywood stalwarts have raved about the film, including Oscar-winning director Spike Lee, who recently came aboard as a producer and told Variety the film is “mesmerizing and transformative. 

Third, Williams mentioned that Ms. Franklin “made an album from this.” She failed to note that the album is Aretha Franklin’s seminal recording “Amazing Grace,” which sold more than two million copies, earned a Grammy Award, and is still the biggest-selling live gospel album of all time. By not highlighting this fact, Williams further diminished both the documentary and Ms. Franklin’s legacy.  

Fourth, Williams’ statement that “Nobody’s going to the movies to see a one-shot deal, like black-and-white,” is punitive and misinformed. Thousands if not millions are clamoring to see this full-color film; many have already enjoyed repeated viewings during last December’s  Oscar-qualifying one-week run in L.A. and N.Y., where the film earned glowing reviews in publications from Rolling Stone to The New York Times. “Amazing Grace” earned a 95-average rating on Metacritic and a 96 critical score at Rotten Tomatoes.   

Finally, Williams suggests that the Franklin Estate sought national distribution for “Amazing Grace” to satisfy the singer’s outstanding debts. This is not true. It is only through the approval of the Estate and the efforts of the film’s producers that it is finally being seen. The public rollout for “Amazing Grace” – which includes screenings at African American museums and black churches this month – has received support from African American pastors and fans across the country. And while Franklin had initially imposed an injunction on “Amazing Grace,” her objections had nothing to do with its quality; negotiations were incomplete at the time of her death.  Her family feels this documentary is another prime example of The Queen of Soul’s genius.    

Williams gave additional false information in her March 15 program. Sabrina Owens, Ms. Franklin’s niece and executor of her estate, has never been head of the singer’s security detail. Ms. Owens is a career professional who holds a Master’s degree and is employed as a chief negotiator at one of the nation’s top public universities. Further, she is the personal representative of her mother’s estate, singer and songwriter Erma Franklin. Owens also created the blueprint for Franklin’s Celebration of Life and week-long homegoing services. None of Ms. Franklin’s four sons has ever served as her manager. However, Franklin’s brother, Rev. Cecil Franklin, who was a Morehouse College graduate was her manager for more than 30 years, until his death in December 1989. Contrary to Williams’ derisive reference, there is no “Cousin Junebug” making decisions for the Estate.   

Wendy Williams is the host of the most-watched daytime gossip show in syndicated television. However, that does not give her license to offer misleading commentary about a legacy entertainer based on unverified information. In this instance, the show’s research team let Williams down. At a time when the media is fighting a battle against “fake news,” Williams’ continues to perpetuate false facts, and her commentary was irresponsible. (Detroit Free Press)