Minister Who Groped Ariana Grande Apologizes For The 'Brush Up'
Sept. 1 2018, Updated 10:16 p.m. ET
A minister who shamelessly grabbed at Ariana Grande during singing icon Aretha Franklin's funeral has apologized.
As RadarOnline.com has reported, after Grande's spellbinding performance of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" at the memorial, Bishop Charles Ellis made a joke about her name while wrapping his hand around her, reaching for her right boob.
Ellis said in front of the crowd gathered to celebrate Franklin on Friday, "I've got to apologize because I have to brush up. My 28-year-old daughter tells me, 'Dad, you are old at 60.' When I saw Ariana Grande on the program, I thought that was a new something at Taco Bell. Girl, let me give you all your respect."
Grande, 25, who wore a tasteful but short black dress, also had to endure former President Bill Clinton ogling her butt during the live televised funeral!
On Friday after the debacle, Ellis, the pastor of the 6,000-member Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, told the AP, "I personally and sincerely apologize to Ariana and to her fans and to the whole Hispanic community. When you're doing a program for nine hours, you try to keep it lively, you try to insert some jokes here and there."
He explained that the alleged grope was an accident and claimed that he had hugged all the performers, both male and female.
"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.
The Bishop, in another apparent faux pas after his Taco Bell joke, also said, "Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar, but again, I apologize."
Many women, however, are still outraged about how Ellis treated Grande.
What also drew ire was Clinton staring at Grande lasciviously during her performance.
The former President's eyes were caught glancing up and down the young singer's body!
Grande hasn't yet commented on the mens' bizarre behavior at Franklin's funeral.
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