Aretha Franklin Wendy Williams Interview Will Be Singer’s First Sit-Down Since Health Scare

Daytime diva Wendy Williams has landed the first sit-down interview with Aretha Franklin since the Queen of Soul scrapped all concert dates and underwent treatment for an alleged pancreatic cancer diagnosis last year.

Williams — whose interview coups included controversial author Karrine Steffans and singer Whitney Houston during her days as a shock jock in The Big Apple — announced the Aretha interview during Monday’s airing of The Wendy Williams Show.

“The legendary Aretha Franklin has invited me to do an exclusive, in-person intimate conversation with her in Detroit, that’s where she lives,” Williams said. “So I’m packing my bags and we’ll bring the camera crew and everything, and, so far, Aretha has two activities she wants us to do. First thing is she wants us to go to the gym and the second thing is she wants us to have high tea together. … I’m going to share that interview with you guys next week.”

Franklin’s reps will only confirm that she was hospitalized near her home in Detroit for nearly two weeks after having surgery in December. A noticably thinner Aretha appeared courtside, alongside pal Jesse Jackson, at a Pistons game in The Motor City earlier this month.