Follow Us
traineesubeditor@tribuneindia.com
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.
"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.
"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."
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.
Bishop Charles H Ellis III has apologised after touching Ariana Grande's chest and for making a racial joke about her name.
2
5