Aretha Franklin has cancelled her upcoming nuptials to Willie Wilkerson and called off the couple's engagement, according to Fox News. The Queen of Soul will no longer be slipping into the wedding gown in 2012 and released a statement through her representative on Monday (23 January 2012), claiming things had moved too quickly.
Franklin said "a number of things" had not been thought through regarding the upcoming wedding, but said she wouldn't be commenting on specifics because of "the very personal and sensitive nature of it". The legendary singer did not confirm whether she and Willie were still in a relationship, but said, "Will and I have decided we were moving a little too fast, and there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly. There will be no wedding at this time.We appreciate all of the many well wishes from friends". Aretha announced she would be marrying Wilkerson shortly after New Year's Day, revealing the pair would be tying the knot in one of numerous lavish locations, including the Hamptons, Miami or Long Island. She had previously spoken of getting fitted for her perfect wedding dress, saying she was tied between Vera Wang and Donna Karan as potential designers.
Franklin has now fully recovered from her recent spate of health concerns, with a doctor telling her surgery she underwent a year ago could add 15 to 20 years to her life, according to Rolling Stone magazine.