NEW YORK — Aretha Franklin, who says she’s back at “150 percent,” is planning to return to the stage in May for her first post-surgery performance.

The Grammy Award-winning singer will also release an album that month with Walmart Stores Inc. More personally, she’s working on losing more weight — she’s noticeably slimmer since her December surgery.

“I want to not only maintain the weight I am at now, but better it, by one dress size,” the Queen of Soul said Wednesday in a phone interview.

The 68-year-old Franklin has not disclosed the ailment for which she had surgery, but she calls it “more than minor surgery.”

At the time, word spread that her situation was dire, and she received a multitude of prayers and well wishes from fans. She dismissed reports that had her on her death bed.

Since her surgery, Franklin has been working out and walking on a track three times a week.

But she said her biggest health change has been in her diet: She’s given up her beloved chitterlings, pigs’ feet and ham hocks in favor of a whole foods-type diet, and she hopes to get down to a size 16.

“You can’t continue to eat things that are not good for you,” she said.

Grammy winner avoids prison in drug plea deal 

LAS VEGAS — Bruno Mars had two firsts this week. One was winning a Grammy. The other came Wednesday when the 25-year-old singer-songwriter pleaded guilty to cocaine possession.

Unlike the award for his hit, “Just The Way You Are,” his brush with the law in Las Vegas may not last forever.

Mars will avoid prison and will have no conviction on his record if he stays out of trouble for a year and meets other conditions of his plea deal.

Clark County District Judge Jessie Walsh made sure Mars understood that he could face up to four years in state prison if he violates the terms of the agreement.

“You understand the penalty range?” she asked.

“Four years,” Mars replied, standing in a dark suit with his hands at his sides.

The judge gave Mars, whose real name is Peter Gene Hernandez, probation, a $2,000 fine, 200 hours of community service at a nonprofit organization and eight hours with a drug counselor.

Walsh set a Jan. 18, 2012, date for Mars to return to court. His Las Vegas lawyer, Richard Schonfeld, told the judge that Mars intends to meet the requirements.

Mars, who performed Sunday at the Grammys and took home the award for best male pop vocal performance for his song, declined to comment in the court hallway.

He acknowledged having 2.6 grams of cocaine when he was arrested Sept. 19 in Las Vegas.

It’s probation for ‘Partridge Family’ teen idol Cassidy

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Former teen idol David Cassidy will serve a year of probation and have his driving privileges suspended for six months after pleading no contest to driving under the influence on Florida’s turnpike.

The attorney for the 60-year-old “Partridge Family” star entered the plea at a hearing Wednesday. Cassidy did not have to appear in court because the charge was a misdemeanor and he has no prior record.

Cassidy was arrested on Nov. 3 after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper saw his car weaving near Fort Pierce.

The highway patrol report says Cassidy failed a field sobriety test. Breath tests showed his blood-alcohol content at 0.139 and 0.141. Florida’s legal limit is 0.08.

 

 

 

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