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Aretha Franklin talks about her love for Whitney and how she was her cheerleader amid her goddaughter’s struggles.

The Queen of Soul was godmother to the Queen of Pop. Aretha Franklin, 69, reflects on Whitney Houston‘s troubled life and her attempt to make a comeback.

“We were all aware of her challenges,” Aretha told People. “And I was always rooting for her.”

And the “Pink Cadillac” songstress was hopeful that Whitney was on her way out of her problems.

“Seeing previews for the new Sparkle movie I thought, boy she looks good, healthy, fresh and has that twinkle in her eyes!” she said.

Despite Whitney’s hardships, Aretha said she’ll remember the pop icon as someone who possessed “the heart of a champion.”

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