Today, Aretha Franklin’s funeral was celebrated in Houston, Texas and the main entertainment attraction was pop singer Ariana Grande. I’m vaguely familiar with Ariana Grande because I have two teenage daughters. I’m not a fan of her singing. But her unique selling proposition really isn’t her voice.

She got a lot of criticism for the way she was dressed.

The church is often one place where dress codes matter. A butt-skimming mini skirt will get you ushered to a back pew, where someone’s grandmother hands you a coat to put over your legs.

Someone forgot to tell Ariana Grande about appropriate funeral attire at Friday’s services for Aretha Franklin. She wore a black mini-dress that hit inches above mid-thigh.

Well, actually just inches below the butt.

Yes, the lines of appropriateness are blurred with casual dress codes. And Grande is a young pop star who relies on revealing clothing to help sell her music and image. She frequently wears mini dresses onstage.

But conservative attire is traditionally the uniform at most places of worship, especially a church with deep roots like Franklin’s. It’s not the place for ultra-short miniskirts, plunging necklines, sagging pants or really anything you wear to bed or to a club.

It’s even more conservative at a funeral, which is why Grande’s mini dress is so out of place and inappropriate. Youth is no excuse in this case. She could have dropped the skirt a few inches and been OK. It would have been appropriate and still looked youthful.

Is that true? I don’t even know anymore.

What was certain was that Grande’s performance was appreciated by the guests of honor.

Gross… Watch Bill Clinton look Ariana Grande up and down when she sings at #ArethaFranklinFuneral and try not to throw up in your mouth. 🤮 pic.twitter.com/aXQvcBmW2Y

— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) August 31, 2018

Al Sharpton is no slouch when it comes to music appreciation, either.

https://twitter.com/iholytrojan/status/1035609684944842753

ariana singing "natural woman" is the most perfect thing I've ever seen in life @ArianaGrande #ArethaFranklinFuneral pic.twitter.com/vjm0s5aBQv

— luísa (@moonlightluisa) August 31, 2018

And there is this bit of awkwardness. Keep your eyes of Ariana Grande’s facial expression and the good reverend’s right hand.

Funny moment during the #ArethaFranklinFuneral: Bishop Ellis tells @ArianaGrande when he saw her on the program he thought "it was a new something at Taco Bell." pic.twitter.com/Sxgh8Nnt9n

— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) August 31, 2018

Is it just me or… was this pastor just a bit too much with Ariana Grande? #ArethaHomecoming #ArethaFranklinFuneral #ArethaFranklinHomegoing #ArethaFranklin #ArethaHomegoing #PeteDavidson pic.twitter.com/qMDZ3sboII

— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) August 31, 2018

chai!!! Ariana Grande has suffered from this BISHOP. He pretends as if he does not know his touching someting ehn 😂 pic.twitter.com/z7LrCIWv8f

— Teekay (@leketeekay) August 31, 2018

The pastor at #ArethaFranklinHomegoing was gettin a little handsy with @ArianaGrande 👀 pic.twitter.com/vI8a50BoOC

— BreatheHeavy.com/exhale (@breatheheavycom) August 31, 2018

Great performance. Appreciative audience. A totally memorable event.

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