newsmakers

newsmakers

Franklin is engaged to longtime friend

NEW YORK

Aretha Franklin is engaged to longtime friend William “Willie” Wilkerson.

The Grammy-winning singer told The Associated Press in a statement Monday that she and Wilkerson are considering a summer wedding, perhaps in Miami Beach, Fla.

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 and Wilkerson became engaged over the holidays.

She is considering Vera Wang, Valentino and Donna Karan to design her dress.

Franklin has been married twice before.

Walk this way, again: Steven Tyler is engaged

NEW YORK

Steven Tyler is ready to walk this way, again: The 63-year-old singer is engaged.

Tyler’s representative confirmed Monday that the Aerosmith frontman is engaged to Erin Brady.

No other details were provided.

Tyler has been married and divorced twice.

He is one of the judges on the hit Fox TV show “American Idol.”

Associated Press