Aretha Franklin Responds to Media Speculation on Missing Whitney Houston's Funeral: "Stop the BS"

"The intelligent and the thoughtful thing to do would be to respect and have some sensitivity to the moment," singing legend says. "If you don't know how, at least try."

Don't mess with Aretha Franklin, people.

Even after the music legend explained her absence at Whitney Houston's funeral, many media outlets continued to speculate why Franklin decided not to attend her goddaughter's service (where she was expected to sing). Certain outlets suggested the reason was an alleged rift between Franklin and Cissy Houston that reportedly arose after Franklin's Today interview aired the day before the funeral.

Well, it was time to set the record straight.

"Extra TV, the New York Post and Newsday (New York) should stop the BS," Franklin said in a statement. "Cissy Houston and I have been longtime friends for almost 50 years."

"I have four invitations and parking passes that were sent to me for the funeral. Extra TV, the New York Post and Newsday (New York) are more interested in sensationalism and negative speculations than the truth. People are getting their information from the wrong source. The intelligent and the thoughtful thing to do would be to respect and have some sensitivity to the moment.  If you don't know how, at least try. 

"Cissy does not need ridiculous speculation and neither do I—particularly at this time. Also, with respect to the Today Show, my entire statement was pretaped.  However, the Today Show did not air the part of my statement, which said, 'This is no reflection on Cissy or Nippy's upbringing.' Knowing Cissy as well as I do, I know Whitney left home right and properly. I was generalizing and it was a well intended statement for any young adult coming into the music industry. I was not speaking of anyone specifically."

Franklin released a statement Saturday clarifying her reason for not going and giving her condolences, "Unfortunately I had terrible leg spasms and locked leg muscles until 4:00 a.m. this morning following my concert last night, which I've been having for the last few days. I feel it necessary and very important to stay off my leg today as much as possible until concert time this evening.

"My heart goes out to my dear friend Cissy [Houston], Dionne [Warwick], Bobbi Kristina [Brown] and the rest of the family. May God keep them all."

Can you R-E-S-P-E-C-T that?