Aretha Franklin: Retirement is not an option
Aretha Franklin insists there is no one who could take over her diva mantle because she will never retire.
The 74-year-old singer is a big fan of younger artists such as Adele, Beyonce and Lady Gaga but insists there is no one she could pass her diva torch on to as she is "not going anywhere".
She said: "There's a lot of great singers out here."
Asked who could take over from her, she added to People magazine: "I'm here I'm not going anywhere. This is what I do.
"I'm doing very well. I'm going to be around. I'll be like Perry Como [was], somewhere on a couch laying down with a microphone, still singing."
The 'Respect' singer is currently busy working on her upcoming biopic and is delighted with the person who will portray her in the as-yet untitled project.
She said: "I've talked to the person that is going to play me.
"I'm not going to say who I chose, but I've talked to her and she's ready and I'm happy with her."
The veteran performer celebrated her birthday at the Ritz Carlton in New York City last week and enjoyed the party - which saw guests serenade her with Stevie Wonder's hit 'Happy Birthday' - very much as she appreciates every day as a "gift".
She said: "It's the culmination of a lot of work and I'm a little tired, but I'm still enjoying all of it. Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift."
