Aretha Franklin says she's ready to get married
By MESFIN FEKADU, Associated Press
Jan 2, 2012 12:14 PM CST
FILE - In this May 17, 2011 file photo, singer Aretha Franklin appears at a taping of "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular," in Chicago. Franklin released a statement Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, saying she's ready to tie the knot with longtime friend William “Willie” Wilkerson. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast,...   (Associated Press)

Aretha Franklin says she's ready to tie the knot with longtime friend William "Willie" Wilkerson.

Franklin told The Associated Press in a statement Monday that the pair was considering a summer wedding, perhaps on Miami Beach. 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 didn't say whether the pair had gotten engaged, and a representative didn't immediately reply to a message seeking clarification.

The Grammy-winning singer has been married twice before.