Aretha Franklin: 'The Surgery Was Highly Successful'

Aretha Franklin

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, had a successful surgery on Thursday and now has thanked her fans for their support and prayers as she underwent the procedure (for an undisclosed reason).

"The surgery was highly successful," Aretha said in a statement to Access Hollywood following the procedure. "God is still in control. I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country. God bless you all for your prayers!"

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, on Wednesday night Aretha expressed her gratitude to fans and public officials not long after they held a prayer vigil for the singer in her hometown of Detroit.

"Thanks to the City Council for their prayer vigil. And, many thanks to the City for their support. All prayers are good!" Aretha previously said in a statement to Access Hollywood.

Last month Franklin announced that she was canceling all concert dates and personal appearances through May.

Glee's Lea Michele: "Fans Are Pissed" Over Finn and Rachel Split

Lea Michele

Lea Michele's keeping an eye out for grumpy Gleeks.

After Tuesday night's episode of the quirky FOX comedy brought an end to fan-favorite couple Rachel and Finn (portrayed by Michele and Cory Monteith) the star, 24, has had some explaining to do.

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"Fans are pissed!" she told UsMagazine.com Thursday as she was honored at Billboard's Fifth Annual Women in Music event. "I went up to [creator] Ryan [Murphy] and said, 'How could you do this?!' But I think if they're meant to be together, they will."

As for her character's dalliance with bad boy Puck (Mark Salling) which ultimately led to the breakup, Michele hints the pair could lock lips again: "We'll have to find out!"

The other hot topic at the forefront of the Broadway star's mind? The show's two Grammy nominations, including one for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group for their cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."


"Gosh, it's so awesome -- I can't wait," she told Us, adding that "it doesn't feel real yet."

And though she just heard of the nods Thursday morning, prep work is underway. Said Michele, "I've already started thinking about what I'm going to wear!"