CNN's Don Lemon Brought To Tears Remembering Aretha Franklin

Rebecca Shapiro
Updated

CNN anchor Don Lemon didn’t hold back in reacting on air to the news of Aretha Franklin’s death live on the air, celebrating the icon and remembering his friend through tears.

“I’m sorry,” he said while crying. “I just woke up and got the news. I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect to have this reaction. It’s sad... we lost a legend.”

Lemon grew even more emotional recalling how Franklin would text him “out of the blue” to compliment him on his work.

“She’d say, ‘I saw something you did on CNN and I’m so proud of you, and you’re doing such a great job.’ And to think that won’t happen anymore is just really awful,” he said.

He described her music as the soundtrack to his childhood (he grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.)

“It’s hard to even think that I’m referring to her in the past tense right now,” Lemon said. “But I know what she would say. She would say, ‘I want you to be strong, Don.’”

The “Queen of Soul” became friends with the Lemon after Franklin saw his reporting on TV and got in touch with him to express her appreciation. She appeared on his CNN show in 2015, and over the years Lemon regularly attended her birthday parties in New York.

“You never knew who was going to show up,” he said. “Aretha was the biggest legend but it would be one legend after another, and she just ate it up,” he said. “She loved it.”

Take a look at the video above to hear Lemon remember his friend.

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Aretha Franklin in 1971.
Aretha Franklin in 1971.
Posing for a portrait lying on a couch circa 1973.
Posing for a portrait lying on a couch circa 1973.
Circa 1968.
Circa 1968.
In 1970.
In 1970.
Smoking a cigarette as she works in the studio by a microphone at Muscle Shoals Studios in 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Smoking a cigarette as she works in the studio by a microphone at Muscle Shoals Studios in 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Performing in an undated photo.
Performing in an undated photo.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Appearing on "The Andy Williams Show" in 1969.
Appearing on "The Andy Williams Show" in 1969.
Posing for a portrait circa 1967.
Posing for a portrait circa 1967.
At the Muhammad Ali Variety Special in 1975.
At the Muhammad Ali Variety Special in 1975.
Singing circa 1972.
Singing circa 1972.
Wearing a leather jacket in a 1990 portrait.
Wearing a leather jacket in a 1990 portrait.
Performing on stage in 1968.
Performing on stage in 1968.
Portrait in 1973.
Portrait in 1973.
At a news conference in 1973.
At a news conference in 1973.
Standing backstage wearing a gold embroidered gown and holding a Grammy Award, circa 1970.
Standing backstage wearing a gold embroidered gown and holding a Grammy Award, circa 1970.
Holding her Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues performance of the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water," in 1972.
Holding her Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues performance of the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water," in 1972.
Alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic at the 142nd Street Armory in New York in 1972.
Alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic at the 142nd Street Armory in New York in 1972.
Performing with James Brown at the Taboo nightclub in Detroit in 1987.
Performing with James Brown at the Taboo nightclub in Detroit in 1987.
Reviewing a copy of her album "Aretha Franklin -- Soul '69" at Atlantic Records studios in 1969 in New York City.
Reviewing a copy of her album "Aretha Franklin -- Soul '69" at Atlantic Records studios in 1969 in New York City.
Performing onstage at the New Victoria Theater in the United Kingdom circa 1980.
Performing onstage at the New Victoria Theater in the United Kingdom circa 1980.
During the 59th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2005.
During the 59th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2005.
In 1968.
In 1968.
At the rehearsal for the "Aretha Franklin: Duets" concert to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis at New York's Nederlander Theatre in 1993.
At the rehearsal for the "Aretha Franklin: Duets" concert to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis at New York's Nederlander Theatre in 1993.
Holding up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand and her shoes in the other as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards. 
Holding up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand and her shoes in the other as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards. 
Singing outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.
Singing outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.
Performing in 1989 at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Performing in 1989 at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
With Arista Records chief Clive Davis at New York's Plaza Hotel for a pre-Grammy party thrown by Davis in 1997.
With Arista Records chief Clive Davis at New York's Plaza Hotel for a pre-Grammy party thrown by Davis in 1997.
Rehearsing with the Blues Brothers at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. 
Rehearsing with the Blues Brothers at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. 
Performing at "VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2001.
Performing at "VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2001.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.