Aretha Franklin Calls Off Engagement to Willie Wilkerson

Iconic soul singer Aretha Franklin has called off her engagement to longtime friend William “Willie” Wilkerson, just three weeks after announcing their plans to marry.

Franklin, 69, released the following statement regarding her decision:

“Will and I have decided we were moving a little too fast, and there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly. There will be no wedding at this time. We will not comment on it any further because of the very personal and sensitive nature of it. We appreciate all of the many well wishes from friends.”

Prior to canceling her wedding, Aretha said she hoped to tie the knot with Wilkerson in either Miami or the Hamptons on Long Island and revealed she was considering Vera Wang, Valentino and Donna Karan to design her dress.

Had she gone through with it, Franklin’s marriage to Wilkerson would have been her third. The Queen of Soul was previously married to Ted White and Glynn Turman. She has four children from the two relationships.

It was not immediately clear if Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson plan to remain a couple.

via People