PETA Takes On Aretha Franklin

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has locked horns with a new celebrity fur-wearer, the Queen of soul, Aretha Franklin, who they have named the Biggest Loser in an online poll of 2008’s Worst-Dressed Celebrities.

The organization’s vice president, Dan Matthews, lashed out at the legendary songstress after she was spotted in a fur coat at the Grammys almost two weeks ago.

“Music lovers may think of you as a ‘queen,’ but to animal lovers, you are a court jester,” Matthews wrote in his letter to the star. “I’m sorry, Aretha, but your furs make you look like a clown.”

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Matthews suggested Franklin should part with her animal-skin coats and give them to the needy.

“Why not shed the old-fashioned look that adds pounds to your frame and detracts from your beautiful voice? Won’t you donate your furs to the poor as ‘queen of compassion,’ Mariah Carey, did? You’ll get a tax credit for the donation, and we at PETA will all sing your praises,” he said.

But PETA didn’t stop there. On their blog, official PETA blogger, “Jack” referred to Franklin as looking like “a walrus in a cat” by wearing a white fur to the event.

However, Franklin wasn’t the only star PETA took aim at. Shock-rocker Marilyn Manson and his penchant for leather landed him on the list and “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Longoria-Parker was told she needs “a quickie divorce from her stylist” for her fur wearing. In 2007, Eva was dubbed PETA’s worst-dressed celeb.

Lindsay Lohan also fared poorly, being called a real-life “mean girl” for donning fur. PETA even went so far as to say she looks “skanky” on their Web site.

Meanwhile, Brit model Kate Moss was accused of going from “Supermodel to super tramp” for wearing a fur coat, while Aussie chanteuse Kylie Minogue was called “cold-blooded” for having a python purse.