The Queen of Soul expressed interest in 2012 in joining the then-Fox reality singing competition as a judge. As Emily Yahr points out, Idol had a particular connection with Franklin. In 2012, the contestants traveled to Detroit for a special sit-down with her. But it wasn't just Idol that Franklin influenced. "If there was a prize for the song performed most frequently on a reality singing competition show, '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman' would have an easy shot at the crown," says Yahr. Contestants on everything from The Voice to Nashville Star to America's Got Talent "wanted to be like her, and they wanted to sing like her," says Yahr. "Franklin songs from 'Respect' to 'Chain of Fools' to 'Ain’t No Way' continue to be a reality show staple."
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TOPICS: Aretha Franklin, American Idol, A Different World, GLOW, Late Night with David Letterman, Late Show with David Letterman, MTV Video Music Awards, Scandal, Don Cheadle, Trevor Noah, Reality TV