Bishop apologises to Ariana Grande for ''being too friendly'' at the funeral

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Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, September 3

The 25-year-old pop star sang the Aretha Franklin classic '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman', one of a series of tributes by musicians to America's 'Queen of Soul' at her marathon funeral attended by presidents, stars and music royalty.

After her performance, she was congratulated by Bishop Charles H Ellis III.

A video of the moment the bishop wrapped his arm around Grande and with his hand touching the side of her breast sparked outrage from viewers.

THE DISCOMFORT OF @ArianaGrande
Clearly looking Uncomfortable, Ariana Grande Is Gripped tightly by Bishop Ellis At The #ArethaFranklinFuneral He Has apologised for this and for The racist Joke He made About her Name. pic.twitter.com/BzcUhQYCEC

— TONYINBHAM (@TT0121) 1 September 2018

"It would never be my intention to touch any woman's breast. I was, I don't know I guess I put my arm around her. Ellis said in comments to US media confirmed to AFP on Saturday.

BISHOP CHARLES H. ELLIS III is a pervert, his daughter is younger than her, he knew what he was doing, he knew she wouldn’t cause a scene at a funeral, she was clearly uncomfortable. What a complete lack of respect to Ariana and Aretha Franklin. #RespectAriana #RespectAllWomen pic.twitter.com/XQqrpMYIl4

— STEPH 🌵 (@SLHardwick) 1 September 2018

"Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar but again, I apologise."

The clip reveals he also said: "It's not about the way that I meant it, or it went bad.

"If somebody took it the wrong way, or if they were offended by it, the easiest thing and the right thing for me to do, as a Christian, as a man of God is to apologise, and I sincerely apologise to Ariana again if I offended her in any kind of way."

i just saw the vid where that bishop is basically grabbing ariana grande’s breast and there’s ppl defending it saying “that’s normal in black churches”. whaaaaat?? what kinda churches do y’all attend?? yikes

— Sephora (@ohsephora) 1 September 2018

Ellis also apologised for a joke he made to Grande about her name: "When I saw Ariana Grande on the programme, I thought that was a new something at Taco Bell," he said, referring to a popular Mexican fast-food chain.

I don’t care what you think about Ariana Grande, her music or her dress. This is wrong. That bishop’s hand should not be on her breast: I just saw this because I’ve been working and not watching pic.twitter.com/qffAguRrkC

— Vasa Gold (@N_A_1_M_A_D) 1 September 2018

Bishop Charles H Ellis III has apologised after touching Ariana Grande's chest and for making a racial joke about her name.