Watch Ariana Grande's Emotional Tribute Performance To Aretha Franklin

Yesterday, we were met with the tragic news that Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, was taken from this world at the age of 76. The powerhouse vocalist left an everlasting legacy on music history that will never be forgotten, and there was no shortage of tributes and remembrances for the legendary singer provided online and elsewhere. One such tribute came from Ariana Grande on the most recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Alongside The Roots, the popular singer-songwriter provided a heartfelt, emotional rendition of "Natural Woman," which you can watch below.

"Natural Woman" is one of several hits put out into the world by Aretha Franklin during her decades-spanning career. Through a legacy that included appearances in film, on live television, and on the stage, Franklin provided many, many classic songs, including (but not limited to) "Chain of Fools," "I Say A Little Prayer," "Freeway of Love" and, perhaps most famously, "Respect." It is a career that has withstood the test of time and Franklin carried an incomparable voice that has blessed generations of music lovers. With that said, Ariana Grande's touching rendition of one of Franklin's signature songs is a lovely and heartfelt remembrance of the lost singer's legacy, and it serves as a nice and fond tribute to the voice that left us much too soon.

It was only a couple days ago that news dropped about Aretha Franklin's failing health. Unnamed sources close to the ailing musician claimed she was gravely ill, and while she didn't want the public to know, friends and family members were reportedly told that she was on the verge of death and that she was expected to pass "any time now" only a couple weeks before the Associated Press confirmed the news.

Ariana Grande was certainly not the only celebrity to pay tribute to Aretha Franklin in the wake of her death. Most notably, former president Barack Obama wrote the following about the belated singer, the very woman who sang the National Anthem at his presidential inauguration ten years earlier.

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Lil Wayne also provided a lovely tribute to Aretha Franklin, noting that while we lost a great talent, Heaven received a shining angel in the process.

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Additionally, NASA also made a point to remember Aretha Franklin in an everlasting way. According to the Associated Press, NASA named an asteroid after the late musician. Asteroid 249516 is now called "Aretha" and the space-based government organization claims that it'll continuously orbit Mars. It's an unexpected but ultimately moving memory of the late, great musician as many fans and friends take time to remember the dearly departed.

For more news about Ariana Grande, Aretha Franklin's remembrance and more, you can be sure to check back here to CinemaBlend.

Will Ashton

Will is an entertainment writer based in Pittsburgh, PA. His writing can also be found in The Playlist, Cut Print Film, We Got This Covered, The Young Folks, Slate and other outlets. He also co-hosts the weekly film/TV podcast Cinemaholics with Jon Negroni and he likes to think he's a professional Garfield enthusiast.