Aretha Wants Her Cut of the Hat Pie
Franklin says she feels entitled to hat royalties
AP
Aretha Franklin says she feels entitled to profits from inaugural hat sales.
Aretha Franklin made it popular, and now she wants her cut of the big hat pie.
The Queen of Soul thinks she's entitled to royalties from sales of hats inspired by the "festive creation" she sported during her Inauguration Day performance, or so she told a Detroit radio host.
"I think that I should be getting big time royalties from him. That's what I think," Franklin said in an interview on WWJ 950 this week. Her highness also added that she was disappointed the hat maker would not even provide any additional hats for free.
Franklin wore the hat, designed by Luke Song, while singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" on the steps of the U.S. Capitol during President Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony. After receiving a flood of calls, he decided to replicate the hat for sale, Song explained.
The milliner's very appropriate response to the diva's remarks: "You'll never get me to say anything bad about Aretha Franklin," Song told The Detroit News.
Detroit locals seem to have Song's back. "Aretha should know that you don't get in an argument with the person who makes your hats," customer Fred Colson said. "Not with the person who makes your food. It's the same thing."
The retail version of the cloth crown is made of grey felt and its bow is studded with Swarovski rhinestones. It sells for $179.
No formal request has yet been made to share the profits, Song said.
Posted Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 4:57 AM CST
