Aretha Franklin may have died in 2019, but her spirit continues to grace the music industry as she passed her talent to her teenage granddaughter, who went on national TV to share her singing abilities. Did she make it through?
According to Entertainment Weekly, the legendary singer's granddaughter, Grace, went to "American Idol" to audition for the 20th season.
The 15-year-old high school student sang her rendition of Fugees' "Killing me Softly" and Aretha's "Ain't No Way."
Speaking about her relationship with her late grandmother, Grace noted that she developed a close connection with the iconic singer when she was still alive.
The teen auditionee said she got to see her "all the time," and they travel together frequently.
"I don't think I could fully grasp the fact that she was known worldwide, because to me, she was always just grandma," she added.
Grace also broke people's expectations as many assume that she would sing "exactly like her," but she clarified that she's her own artist that has her "own voice."
Although the judges loved her performance, especially Katy Perry, as the pop star praised her for her singing abilities, Grace got declined by Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. The latter gave her a piece of advice, saying she should "wake a shot at going backwards."
The two judges' decision prompted an emotional debate within the panel, as Lionel looked at Katy in the eyes, to which the "Never Really Over" hitmaker responded with, "Are you putting pressure on me?"
The popstar tried to defend Grace, saying they should give her a chance, and made remarks about the late songstress.
"I'm sure Aretha wasn't Aretha when she walked into the room, but somebody said, 'Yes, I want to work with you, I want to develop you, you've got something,'" she added.
However, Lionel still disagreed but for all the good reasons, advising Grace to work on the shyness behind her music and assuring her that she will be amazing.
In addition, the "Hello" singer doesn't want Aretha's granddaughter to "tip over and fall at this infant stage."
The singer didn't stop there as before he hugged the young songstress; he told her she should come back and see them in the future.
Aretha Franklin, dubbed as the "Queen of Soul," has passed away at the age of 76.
Per CNN, she died on the morning of August 16, 2018, at her home in Detroit due to advanced pancreatic cancer.
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