Aretha Franklin is an American icon, and that legacy is being carried on by her granddaughter Grace Franklin.
The 15-year-old singer showcased her talent on the Sunday episode of American idol. She paid tribute to the Queen of Soul by performing an iconic song titled “Ain’t No Way” from the late Aretha Franklin. She also performed Lauryn Hill’s version of “Killing Me Softly.”
When Grace told the judges, including Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, of her relation to Aretha Franklin, they spoke out in shock.
A surprised Richie said, “Stop right there. That is your grandma?” Said Richie, who had a close friendship with Franklin. He told Grace about the voicemails he had kept from the singer.
Although it seems Grace Franklin has a lot of talent to live up to. Richie and Bryan voted “no” after Grace’s audition, saying she needed to put more time and work into her craft. On the other hand, Perry gave her a “yes,” while urging the other judges to give her a shot.
But Richie didn’t have it. He said, “Go back and put the shyness behind you and the voice in front of you. You are going to be something amazing.”
The Detroit high school student spoke about her grandmother in a prerecorded clip, “I don’t think I could fully grasp the fact that she was famous worldwide because to me she was always grandma. I was really close to my grandma. I got to see her all the time. I got to travel with her a lot.” Franklin died at age 76 in 2018 from pancreatic cancer.
The world is now waiting to see what Grace Franklin does next. Watch the video HERE
