According to The Wrap, Bishop Charles Ellis III, apologized to pop singer Ariana Grande for "perhaps 'too friendly' touch" and an inappropriate joke that he made about her name.
Ellis officiated the Queen of Soul ?Aretha Franklin's funeral on Friday in Detroit.
After Grande's performance of Franklin's iconic song, ?(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman? Ellis hugged her and held Ariana close.
Pictures were posted online of Ellis gripping Ariana "around her midsection (well) above the waist with his hand close to her right breast."
Bishop Ellis told the Associated Press that he hugged all of the performers and that ?It would never be my intention to touch any woman?s breast."
He added, "I don?t know, I guess I put my arm around her ... Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar but again, I apologize.?
He also made a joke about Ariana Grande's name, saying that he thought it was a new Taco Bell menu item.
He added, ?I personally and sincerely apologize to Ariana and to her fans and to the whole Hispanic community ... When you?re doing a program for nine hours you try to keep it lively, you try to insert some jokes here and there."
