Aretha Franklin Engaged To Longtime Friend

First Published: January 2, 2012 3:53 PM EST Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Aretha Franklin steps out at the 2010 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit Concert & Awards Ceremony at The Apollo Theater in NY City on June 14, 2010Aretha 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, Im 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. ___ Mesfin Fekadu covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/musicmesfin Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.