Queen of Soul’s marriage on hold
Aretha Franklin won’t be getting fitted for a wedding gown after all: She’s called off her engagement.
A statement released Monday by her representative said Franklin’s wedding to Willie Wilkerson wasn’t going to happen.
“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,” Franklin said. “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.”
Franklin, 69, announced shortly after New Year’s Day that she was getting married.
Franklin said at the time that Wilkerson was the one for her and that the relationship was particularly strong because they had been friends first.
“We’re very compatible, and he supports me and I support him a lot, and he has given me specialized attention that I don’t think I’ve received from anyone else,” she said.
It’s unclear if the pair are still romantically involved.
Morgan up after kryptonite run-in
Comedian and “30 Rock” cast member Tracy Morgan has been released from a hospital after collapsing during the Sundance Film Festival.
Morgan’s publicist, Lewis Kay, confirmed Monday that the actor left the Park City, Utah, Medical Center after he suffered from exhaustion and altitude Sunday night in Park City, where the elevation is 7,000 feet.
Morgan posted a comment Monday on Twitter that the high altitude “shook up this kid from Brooklyn.”
“Superman ran into a little kryptonite,” he quipped.
He also said on Twitter that he would be back to work today on “30 Rock.”
Ron Nyswaner, co-director of the Sundance film “Predisposed,” in which the actor stars, said Morgan’s collapse resulted from “altitude sickness combined with his diabetes. And he hadn’t eaten. He hadn’t had enough water.”
Kay said hospital officials report no drugs or alcohol were found in Morgan’s system.
The birthday bunch
Actor Ernest Borgnine is 95. Singer Ray Stevens is 73. Singer Aaron Neville is 71. Singer Neil Diamond is 71. Actor Michael Ontkean (“Twin Peaks”) is 66. Comedian Yakov Smirnoff is 61. Actress Nastassja Kinski is 53. Actress Matthew Lillard (“Scooby Doo,” “She’s All That”) is 42. Actress Merrilee McCommas (“Family Law”) is 41. Actor Ed Helms (“The Office”) is 37. Actress Tatyana Ali (“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) is 33. Actress Mischa Barton (“The O.C.”) is 26.