DETROIT – It's Aretha Franklin like you've never seen her before -- totally uncensored.
Here are excerpts from Local 4's Evrod Cassimy's interview with the Queen of Soul.
On the word 'Diva'
Who comes to mind when you think of the word diva? Gladys Knight? Whitney Houston? Beyonce? Or Detroit's own Aretha Franklin?
If you ask her, the answer is simple. All of the above and then some.
"A diva as well is not just a singer who has all of those attributes but one who gives back to the community and one who is charitable," Franklin said. "That's a far more well-rounded diva and a real diva in my opinion."
Diva is also the focus of Franklin's just-released latest album, "Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics." It features covers of songs by some of the greatest female singers of all time.
On a feud with Patti Labelle
One diva that was noticeably absent was Patti Labelle. She and Franklin recently made headlines after a website created a fake story alleging the two had gotten into a fist fight that led to Patti's arrest. Franklin threatened to sue.
"Oh they were ridiculous! That is the craziest thing I've ever heard of!" Franklin explained. "We decided it just wasn't even worth the time and the money. People that know you know better than that," Franklin said.
The Franklin insists there is "nothing" going on between her and Labelle.
"Oh please! Are you kidding? Now come on, let's get serious," Franklin said. "Let's. Get. Serious."
Late night show drama and her latest album
Franklin takes on divas Chaka Kahn and the late Whitney Houston with "I'm Every Woman."
This would be the second Houston to be a part of Franklin's latest project. During a promotional appearance on a late night talk show, Whitney's mother, Cissy Houston, was one of three backup singers. Her bizarre performance set the Internet and social media on fire.
Cissy Houston was criticized for forgetting the lyrics, moves, not singing and making bizarre faces during the televised performance.
Franklin: "I don't know what that was about. I don't know.
Cassimy: "You don't know?
Franklin: "That's certainly not uh, I saw some pictures. Not very attractive or flattering."
Cassimy: "But she was backing you up though, right?"
Franklin: "She was in the background."
Cassimy: "So she doesn't tour with you or anything like that?"
Franklin: "No! No, definitely not!"
That late-night performance was just one of Franklin's tour stops across the country as she promotes the record -- which forced her to face one of her biggest fears.
Cassimy: "Are you flying these days? Tour bus? How are we getting around?"
Franklin: "I'm flying! I'm flying down the highway in my custom bus okay? No, I'm working on it. I'm really seriously working on it and it won't be that long before I'm flying again. I've got a great support group and we're gonna get there."
She still has plenty of time. At 72 years old, the Queen of Soul plans to keep singing with no plans of retiring anytime soon and she has high hopes for this album.
Cassimy: "Have you started practicing your Grammy acceptance speech yet?"
Franklin: "No, but wouldn't that be wonderful a nomination? I hope so! How about 10 Grammys?"