Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Netflix
Legendary singer/songwriter Chaka Khan has been named the 2019 Tournament of Roses grand marshal. The Tournament House Front Lawn in Pasadena during a formal announcement on Wednesday morning.
Khan candidly expressed her appreciation and also some trepidation. “I’m so honored. This is something so new and different for me,” she said at the ceremony. “I’m a little bit scared, I gotta tell you the truth. But fear is — for me — has always been a good thing. If I’m scared of something, if something frightens me a wee bit, I’m all about it.”
Khan will appear in the 130th Rose Parade and also participate in the pre-game festivities at the 105th Rose Bowl, both on Jan. 1.
Chaka Khan’s iconic singing career has spanned decades, with her most well-known hits including “I’m Every Woman,” “I Feel For You,” “Tell Me Something Good” and “Ain’t Nobody.” She also made an extremely notable appearance on Broadway for years, playing Sofia in “The Color Purple.”