Aretha Franklin Calls Off Wedding to Longtime Friend

3:03 PM, Jan 23, 2012   |    comments
Aretha Franklin; Photo: AP
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By BRIAN MCCOLLUM
Detroit Free Press

So it seems Aretha Franklin won't be getting married just yet after all.

The Detroit soul music icon issued a statement Monday afternoon saying her wedding to ex-Detroit fireman and longtime friend Willie Wilkerson is off.

The planned nuptials had been announced in early January, with talk of a ritzy spring ceremony in the Hamptons.

Franklin's statement, attributed to "Aretha & Will," reads:

"Regretfully, To Our Friends and Supporters:

"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 will not comment on it any further because of the very personal and sensitive nature of it. We appreciate all of the many well wishes from friends."