Democrat activist, Bishop Charles H Ellis III was caught several times on camera, as he made uncomfortable attempts to grasp the mega pop star, Ariana Grande’s breast, as he officiated the funeral for the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.
Twitter exploded with images and videos of the so-called “Bishop” who also revealed to the guests at Franklin’s funeral that when he saw Ariana Grande’s name on the program, he thought she was an item on the Taco Bell menu.
No cultural appropriation there…
Where’s the #MeToo movement?
https://twitter.com/ArianaToday/status/1035659644319014912
Many people felt that Bishop Ellis’s hand was inappropriately high on the 25-year-old’s body as he spoke to her – saying that she looked uncomfortable with the contact.
I'm really sorry you had to go thru that @ArianaGrande that groping was beyond blatant and we could all see and feel your discomfort. #NotCool
— Claudia Jordan (@claudiajordan) September 1, 2018
Ashlee Marie Preston accused the “Bishop” of giving Grande “a mammogram on national television”:
https://twitter.com/AshleeMPreston/status/1035751474230308864
It was New York Times reporter Maggie Astor, who nailed it with her comments about how every woman felt uncomfortable watching the interaction. She also pointed out that while people all over the internet were criticizing Grande’s wardrobe, the so called “Bishop” was mauling her in front of a massive crowd:
I think every woman can look at Ariana Grande’s face and body language and viscerally feel what she’s feeling. The tension. The nervous laughter. Not wanting to make a scene or make him angry. Every woman knows this feeling.
But google her and everyone’s talking about her dress.
https://twitter.com/MaggieAstor/status/1035716985764687877
this is literally disgusting. & the way he does it multiple times… how does he think that's ok or comfortable ? pic.twitter.com/uQbJJHu8mO
— anouska (@Iilmessedup) August 31, 2018
BBC is now reporting that the Bishop has apologized to the pop star:
“It would never be my intention to touch any woman’s breast,” he told the Associated Press.
“Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar.”
He added: “But again, I apologise.”
“I hug all the female artists and the male artists,” Bishop Ellis told AP.
“Everybody that was up, I shook their hands and hugged them. That’s what we are all about in the church. We are all about love.”
He added: “The last thing I want to do is to be a distraction to this day. This is all about Aretha Franklin.”
Will his apology be enough for the people who chose the “Bishop” to officiate Aretha Franklin’s funeral?
Leftist comedian Trevor Noah may not think so, as he asks, “What’s up with that pastor’s hand”?
What was up with that pastors hand? pic.twitter.com/M8Ypgm7fQB
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) August 31, 2018
Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III, pastor of Greater Grace Temple, who presided over the funeral harkened back to the days of the civil rights era, as he carried on about the prejudices blacks suffered by whites, and how their racism forced Aretha to live in the city of Detroit:
At #ArethaFranklinFuneral, Bishop Ellis talked about Aretha living on Sorrento Ave, noting how African-Americans were often excluded from living in suburbs of Grosse Pointes, Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham. Before then, they would go to Outer Drive in Detroit, Ellis said.
— Niraj Warikoo (@nwarikoo) August 31, 2018
Democrat activist, Bishop Ellis also used his role at Franklin’s funeral to prop up the Trump-hating, racist Congresswoman, Maxine Waters (D-CA):
Bishop Ellis just praised U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California), who's facing threats from Trump supporters.
Waters has been "attacked like never before. … but she's a strong black woman…from southside LA."
Ellis tells crowd: "Say it…we got your back."#ArethaHomegoing— Niraj Warikoo (@nwarikoo) August 31, 2018