She is certainly a dichotomy. There is the Aretha who loves staying home where she cooks, crochets, and delights in gardening. The devoted soap opera fan also remains faithful to her favorite teenage movie, the tear-jerking A Summer Place, which starred Sandra Dee. Why, after she found her own fame, Franklin even had a gown designed by the great Jean Louis who'd created wardrobes for Miss Dee. Which leads us to the other Aretha.
Superstars are a special breed, emboldened by ego as well as talent.
They also like to control their press. Franklin is determined to put an end to the oft-reported story that her mother abandoned the family. And she rebuffs unflattering tales told elsewhere by Cissy Houston and Gladys Knight. She also emphasizes the significance of her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin. He certainly was understanding.