NEW YORK – Aretha Franklin is engaged to longtime friend William "Willie" Wilkerson.
The Grammy-winning singer told The Associated Press in a statement Monday that she and Wilkerson are considering a summer wedding, perhaps in Miami Beach, Fla. The Queen of Soul wants to follow the ceremony with a reception on a private yacht.
The 69-year-old jokes: "No, I'm not pregnant."
Franklin and Wilkerson became engaged over the holidays.
She is considering Vera Wang, Valentino and Donna Karan to design her dress.
Franklin has been married twice before.
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Mesfin Fekadu covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow him on Twitter at http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_en_mu/storytext/us_people_aretha_franklin/44056117/SIG=110buqrft/*http://twitter.com/musicmesfin
