Whitney Houston‘s Feb. 18 funeral had two startling absences — her scandalous ex-husband Bobby Brown as well as close family friend Aretha Franklin. And while the latter cited “leg spasms” as the reason she couldn’t attend, a new report suggests that controversial comments Aretha, 69, made about Whitney’s drug problems could have lost her an invitation!

Aretha was on the Feb. 17 episode of The Today Show, where she spoke candidly about Whitney, who died at 48 — and many took the comments as a slam against Whitney’s mother Cissy Houston.

“Parents have to really talk to their children before they leave home,” she said. “They have to make sure when they leave home, they have all the right things. She left home with all the right things, but she just kind of lost her way along the way.”

The New York Daily News reports that in spite of the medical excuse, the real reason for Aretha’s absence seems to be stress that the comments put on her relationship with Cissy.

It seems a little far-fetched, but consider this: leg spasms didn’t keep Aretha from singing a sold-out show that same evening at Radio City Music Hall!

Do YOU think Aretha was really sick — or did her comments cost her a seat at the funeral, HollywoodLifers?

– William Earl

Bobby Brown Proved At Funeral He Cares More About His Own Ego Than His Grieving Daughter Bobbi Kristina

More Stories About Whitney’s Funeral:

1. Whitney Houston: Buried In A New Jersey Cemetery
2. Bobbi Kristina Brown Didn’t Know Bobby Brown Left Whitney Houston Funeral
3. Bobbi Kristina Brown’s Emotional Breakdown At Whitney Houston’s Funeral

Whitney Houston loved her godmother Aretha Franklin dearly and it only seemed fitting that she would be in the front row at Whitney’s funeral at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, NJ., but CNN is reporting that she can’t make it.

Aretha had a performance the night before the funeral on Feb. 17 and was having some problems with her leg. We’ve told you before that Aretha has battled health issues for quite some time.

The New Hope Baptist Church is where Whitney grew up singing in the choir and her mother Cissy Houston was an active member at the church. The church is swarmed by fans outside and flowers and balloons cover the front steps of the church and wrap around the block.

— Chloe Melas

More Whitney:

1. Bobbi Kristina Brown Arrives At Whitney Houston’s Private Wake
2. Whitney Houston’s Boyfriend Ray J Speaks Out On Her Death
3. Will Whitney Houston’s Funeral Cause Bobbi Kristina To Break Down Again?

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.”

More Whitney Houston News:

1. Bobby Brown Will Attend Whitney Houston’s Funeral
2. Whitney Houston’s Death Certificate Officially Filed
3. ‘Bodyguard’ Co-Star Kevin Costner To Speak At Whitney Houston’s Funeral

Whitney Houston‘s mentor Clive Davis has personally asked the late singer’s godmother Aretha Franklin to sing at her funeral, according to Entertainment Tonight.

A source from Whitney’s camp told ET that when the 69-year-old singer was asked to sing she said, “How could I say no?”

The invitation-only funeral will be held this Saturday at noon and although her ex-husband Bobby Brown was rumored to be banned, he is expected to attend.

— Chloe Melas

More Whitney Houston News

1. Whitney Houston’s Daughter Bobbi Kristina ‘Feeling Guilty’ Over Her Death, Source Reveals
2. Whitney Houston’s Family Wants Bobbi Kristina To Move To New Jersey
3. Did Bobbi Kristina Inherit Bobby Brown & Whitney Houston’s Genes?

Aretha Franklin shocked fans by announcing her engagement to Willie Wilkerson a few weeks ago, but it seems like it was not meant to be: she called off the nuptials!

Aretha, 69, released a statement on Jan. 23 saying she was going to slow down the relationship, the Associated Press reports.

“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,” the statement says. “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.”

Are YOU shocked that Aretha called off her wedding, HollywoodLifers?

– William Earl

Click here to view the embedded video.

More Aretha:

1. Aretha Franklin Engaged To Willie Wilkerson — Congrats
2. So Sad! Aretha Franklin Has Pancreatic Cancer

It looks like Aretha Franklin, 69,  is finally getting the r-e-s-p-e-c-t she deserves from longtime companion William “Willie” Wilkerson, who’s decided to make an honest woman out of her. As confirmed by a rep, Aretha and Willie are engaged and planning a June or July wedding in Miami.

This will be Aretha’s third time tying the knot. She was first married to Ted White from 1961 to 1969, then to actor Glynn Turman from 1978 to 1984.

Aretha’s rep even spilled details on her third wedding gown:

“Ms. Franklin is considering Donna Karan, Valentino and the queen of wedding dresses, Vera Wang, to design her gown,” the rep confirmed.

We just have one question: What will she wear on her head?! We’re hoping for another legendary hat to rival the one she wore to President Obama‘s inauguration, but hey, we’ll take whatever we can get.

First the Super Bowl debacle and now this? A source very close to the singer says her unsteady feet was a simple explantion: her shoes!

Christina Aguilera just can’t seem to catch a break! The 30-year-old artist managed to fumble the words to the National Anthem at the Super Bowl on Feb. 6 and just one week later she slipped on the stage at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards. HollywoodLife.com spoke to a source in Christina’s camp who says she had a simple case of the the stilettos!

“Christina’s shoe got caught on the back of her dress,” our source says. “It’s as simple as that.”

Everybody has less-than-graceful moments, but considering Christina’s most recent activities have included passing out drunk in Jeremy Renner‘s bed, getting in public catfights and having nude photos leak, this seems to be just the latest in a pattern of questionable behavior!

– William Earl with reporting by Chloe Melas

The stars were out for the 53^rd Grammy Awards on Feb. 13, and unlike some of the more serious award shows, everyone looked like they were cutting loose and having a great time. Strange couples were taking candid shots together, from a feathery Cee Lo Green mugging with Justin Bieber backstage to Willow Smith and Lady Gaga snuggling in the audience. And the performances were the most exciting the Grammys have had in years.

Biebs was the MVP for the night, dashing through “Baby” and “Never Say Never” and even helping Usher out on “OMG.” Rihanna was also busy, looking beautiful as she belted out “Love the Way You Lie (Part II)” with Eminem and “What’s My Name?” with Drake. Mick Jagger showed all of the youngsters how to bust a move on “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love,” while Katy Perry showed off her wedding videos with hubby Russell Brand in her performance of “Not Like The Movies.” Lady Gaga was predictably kooky and surprisingly athletic during a rendition of her new single “Born This Way,” and a gaggle of great female singers — headed by Christina Aguilera — kicked off the show with a powerful tribute to the legendary Aretha Franklin.

What a fun night for some of the biggest names in music!

– William Earl