Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion, And More Stars To Perform During Televised Aretha Franklin Tribute

Get ready to see a fantastic list of stars, as many famous faces will gather for an upcoming television tribute to late singer Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul, who passed away this year on Aug. 16 at the age of 76, will be honored in a big way when her life and music are remembered with a tribute concert at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium in 2019. Tyler Perry will host the live show titled Aretha! A GRAMMY Celebration for the Queen of Soul and there will be plenty of other people you might recognize, including Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion, Patti LaBelle, Alicia Keys, and more.

“This special will celebrate Aretha Franklin’s numerous accomplishments as an entertainment icon, singer, songwriter, pianist, actress, and civil rights activist,” CBS Entertainment’s Jack Sussman said in a statement. “Aretha had an incredible effect on humanity and music with her indomitable spirit and grace. We look forward to honoring this music legend with numerous performers who all admire and respect the Queen of Soul.”

Other folks that you can expect to see at the tribute are Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Alessia Cara, Janelle Monáe, and Common. Ken Ehrlich of AEG Ehrlich Ventures, who is producing the show, has big hopes for it. “We’re approaching this show with extremely mixed feelings of sadness and joy, two qualities that over my 37 years of working with Aretha were often present,” he said in a statement. “Our hope is that we will be able to share the remarkable musical and cultural accomplishments of the Queen of Soul through her own words and music as well as through the performances of an amazing group of musical artists who will gather to celebrate her amazing musical heritage.”

This past November, the singer’s documentary, Amazing Grace, was finally released for all to enjoy 46 years after the project was first started. “Aretha always wanted to be a movie star, and we feel this is her chance to be a movie star,” producer Alan Elliott told Variety at the time.

While Aretha’s concert tribute will be taped on Jan. 13, CBS will air it sometime next year. Stay tuned!