Aretha Franklin still won't reveal the ailment that forced her to undergo surgery last winter (speculation was that she had pancreatic cancer), but she's happy to talk about its results: The singer — who has a new album due out soon — has pledged to live a healthier lifestyle and has already lost 85 pounds.
The Huffington Post reports that she showed off her new body on The View this week. "I feel wonderful, I've got more energy, I've changed my diet, going to Whole Foods now, getting the best stuff," she said. "Dropped the chitlins, drop the ham hocks, getting some — I won't say better food, I'll say other food."
She had some advice on topics beyond nutrition, too, weighing in on relationship issues, with advice to women dealing with breakups: "Don't sit at home by the telephone. Put on a happy face because it ain't going to ring. Men rarely sit at home when it's over. They are out and they are looking and checking, and you should get out and be happy and do the same."
Franklin's secrecy about her illness is still perplexing. But there's no better technique than switching the focus to her new album, body and attitude to make it seem like last year's news.
A previous version of this article misidentified The View as the Today show.
Read more at the Huffington Post.
In other news: White House Honors Labor Heroes.
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