President Obama Has Nothing But “R-S-P-E-C-T” For Aretha Franklin

Spelling can be difficult sometimes, we know, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as John Travolta butchering Idina Menzel’s name at the Oscars…

Like a nervous contestant at the spelling bee, President Barack Obama misspelled Aretha Franklin’s signiture song “Respect” during his speech at the Women of Soul concert series at the White House. However, the pumped-up crowd was more than willing to forgive the little slip-up as President Obama continued his speech to honor many great artists and their fight for equality. Much “R-S-P-E-C-T” for that follow-through Mr. President, much respect.

“As someone who always shares this house with brilliant, creative, talented, somewhat stubborn women, I think Women’s History Month is the perfect time to honor a few more: the women of soul,” he said.

The lineup consisted of musical legends Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle to Janelle Monae to the youngest of the group, 20-year-old Ariana Grande. The program was livestreamed at WhiteHouse.gov/live and will be broadcasted on PBS as an “In Performance at the White House” concert on April 7.

Watch the speech below: