Slimmed down Aretha Franklin visits 'The View'; has advice for Lady Gaga

[img:$uid]http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/aretha-view1.jpg[/img:$uid]

A slimmed-down Aretha Franklin stopped by "The View" on Thursday (April 28) to talk about her latest album, "A Woman Falling Out of Love," a possible biopic in the works and, of course, her health.

Franklin canceled all concert and personal appearances in November 2010 after an unnamed health scare. She was hospitalized and, in December, it was rumored she'd been treated for pancreatic cancer. Franklin later denied having cancer, although she won't disclose exactly what happened.

In March, Franklin appeared on "The Wendy Williams Show" and shared a few more details, including the excruciating pain that led her to seek medical help.

"That was my first inkling that something was not what it should be," she said of the severe abdominal pain. "The pain was so hard it nearly brought me to my knees. So I said, 'The concerts are over. I have to go and find out what is wrong.'"

[img:$uid]http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/aretha-view2.jpg[/img:$uid]

On "The View," Franklin talked about her new diet regimen, which she said involved a lot of shopping at Whole Foods. She also said she's considering penning a cookbook.

Franklin also dished on the in-the-works biopic about her life.

"Finally we've got financing," said Franklin. "The right producer -- and I'm waiting for the script. And there's a new girl in the game now. Whoopi's girl."

Franklin was referring to Patina Miller, the lead of Sister Act" Broadway production -- a role Goldberg initiated on film. She also added that both Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia Barrino were being considered for the role, too.

The Queen of Soul also had advice for Lady Gaga: "Don't get up on the piano." Indeed.

The full interview will be available on "The View's" website at 4 p.m. ET.

on Aretha looking and apparently feeling better.

thank you Jesus she's not trying to get Halle Berry or Beyonce to play her in a biopic.

God is good!

She looks good.

I love Aretha Franklin... glad her health is better... she looks great!

Her face build reminds me of her 1974-1976 "thin" period.

For MY money, I say give the role 2 J-Hud!!!!!!

she looks like katherine jackson

GO ARETHA!!!

WOW! she looks great ! i like her hair that way, instead of the long wigs and weaves. i'm glad she's okay...

Auntie Re-Re is looking great!

But um, whose pocketbook is that, sittin' on the floor?

Wow, she is really looking much better!

Ottensen said:

Auntie Re-Re is looking great!

But um, whose pocketbook is that, sittin' on the floor?

Forget the pocketbook. What the heck is Whoopie wearing on her feet?!

Here are a couple of clips from her guest appearance.

^ I just love to hear her sing "Respect".

She is such a liar. I was reading the inteview she recently gave to People magazine and she denies ever weighing over 300 lbs. Does she think people are really that stupid???

kitbradley said:

She is such a liar. I was reading the inteview she recently gave to People magazine and she denies ever weighing over 300 lbs. Does she think people are really that stupid???

i was at an aretha show like 4-5 years ago and i woulda bet good money that just one of those titties weighed 300 pounds. girl was so heavy i half expected da boyz to jump out from behind her and dance around.

that being said, she looks fantastic now. the thing about aretha franklin is that the look is the last damn thing that matters really.

Aretha always keeps her purse near - she trusts no one!

Ottensen said:

Auntie Re-Re is looking great!

But um, whose pocketbook is that, sittin' on the floor?

RnBAmbassador said:

Aretha always keeps her purse near - she trusts no one!

I don't blame her, especially these days. Someone is almost certain to go through her purse to see what medications she may be carrying. The more you try to keep something private, the more (some) people want to know what it is.

purplethunder3121 said:

Ottensen said:

Auntie Re-Re is looking great!

But um, whose pocketbook is that, sittin' on the floor?

Forget the pocketbook. What the heck is Whoopie wearing on her feet?!

I was just about to ask the same thing.

prodigalfan said:

Her face looks very attractive, not haggard looking in spite of losing so much weight. Good for her! By any means necessary... that is what I always said.

I saw a video of her interview with Jimmy Fallon, she actually looked better there.

Ottensen said:

But um, whose pocketbook is that, sittin' on the floor?

the moment she walked in with that LV bag and put it beside her, I just couldn't

I don't even know why I found it so funny exactly but glad to know I'm not the only one