Queen of Soul hopes to hold court soon
Aretha Franklin won’t say what caused her latest health problems, but says she’s had a “miraculous” recovery and is looking forward to performing soon.
“My treatments are going very well. My last CAT scan, my doctor at the CAT scan and everyone who sees this says that this is miraculous, absolutely miraculous,” Franklin said in a phone interview with the Associated Press on Tuesday.
The 71-year-old Queen of Soul has canceled several concerts and public appearances over the last few months due to unspecified health concerns. On Monday, she said she was unable to personally accept an award honoring her work with civil rights from Major League Baseball on Saturday in Chicago.
When asked directly what her health concern was, Franklin declined to go into specifics: “I’m not one to go into my personal health things.”
But she said it was very common to women and “I just had to deal with it.” She said it was partly related to the health concern she had about three years ago that led her to cancel shows at that time.
Cowell relishes impending father role
British TV mogul Simon Cowell says he’s looking forward to being a father, his first public confirmation that he will be having a child with married New York socialite Lauren Silverman.
Cowell, who had previously dodged questions about the affair, told the BBC that “things are changing in my life right now, for the better,” adding: “I’m proud to be a dad.”
The 53-year-old Cowell was speaking at the world premiere of the film “One Direction: This Is Us” in London on Tuesday.
Dr. Oz joins first responders
After a yellow cab jumped the curb and struck a New York City pedestrian, Dr. Oz was there.
Celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz heard the accident Tuesday morning outside Rockefeller Center and rushed to the scene to help out. The studio where he tapes his syndicated talk show is nearby.
Oz said in a statement that emergency medical crews were already treating the injured woman who had a bad leg wound. He said a good Samaritan made a tourniquet out of a belt for the woman. The fire department said the woman was hospitalized.
The birthday bunch
Actor-director Melvin Van Peebles is 81. Singer Kenny Rogers is 75. Actor Clarence Williams III is 74. Rock ’n’ roll guitarist James Burton is 74. Singer Jackie DeShannon is 72. NBC newsman Harry Smith is 62. Actress Kim Cattrall is 57. Rock singer Serj Tankian (System of a Down) is 46. Actress Carrie-Anne Moss is 43. Actress Alicia Witt is 38. Olympic gold medal sprinter Usain Bolt is 27. Actor Actress Hayden Panettiere is 24.