Bishop Charles H. Ellis III apologized for his racist joke about Ariana Grande and for appearing to grope her breast when hugging her

Bishop Charles H. Ellis III apologized for his racist joke about Ariana Grande and for appearing to grope her breast when hugging her during Aretha Franklin's funeral on Thursday

The bishop who officiated Aretha Franklin's funeral apologized Friday to Ariana Grande for how he touched her on stage and a joke he made about her name.Bishop Charles H. Ellis III led Franklin's funeral and awkwardly greeted Grande on stage after she performed '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.' Images of the moment showed Ellis' hand holding Grande well above her waist, with his fingers pressing against one side of her chest.

The preacher apologized in an interview with The Associated Press at the cemetery where Franklin was interred late Friday.