Ariana Grande delivered an emotional tribute to Aretha Franklin as celebrities and dignitaries turned out to pay their respects at the Queen of Soul’s funeral in Detroit.
The Press Association reported that Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson were among those attending the service at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on Friday.
Grande, who has become one of music's biggest names over the past two years, was invited to perform at the funeral after impressing Franklin's family with her tribute on Jimmy Fallon's The Tonight Show following the musician's death at 76 earlier this month.
A spokeswoman for the late singer also said Aretha was "fond" of 25-year-old Grande.
Grande arrived with her fiancé, the comedian Pete Davidson, and took to the stage wearing a black dress.
She received a standing ovation for her powerful performance of Franklin's 1967 hit (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, which was written by Carole King.
After finishing her performance, Grande attempted to leave the stage but the master of ceremonies, Charles H. Ellis III, called her back to the podium.
He joked: "When I saw Ariana Grande at the programme, I thought that was a new something at Taco Bell. Girl, I got to give you all your respect."
He added that Grande was an "icon" as the crowd cheered. Members of Franklin's family paid tribute on stage.
The soul singer's granddaughter Victorie Franklin said: "You felt every emotion in every note and watching her on stage, I knew that performing was something I was born to do.
"I love you Grandma and I'm going to make you proud."
Vaughn Franklin, the singer's nephew, told mourners: "I am sad today because I am losing my friend, but I know the imprint you left on this world can never be removed. Long live the queen."
