Aretha Franklin's nephew has described her as being in good spirits and says he believes his aunt will "pull through", days after she was said to be gravely ill.
Tim Franklin said the singer was "alert, talking, laughing, joking" when he and his brother visited her last week.
In the interview with People magazine he went on to say that while the 76-year-old star "is sick", the family "believe she'll pull through it".
He also said: "She believes she'll pull through it, and that's the important thing."
Various sources have described Franklin as being seriously ill, and she recently cancelled shows due to ill health.
Earlier this week, Evrod Cassimy, a friend of the star, described the singer as being "surrounded by friends and family".
She was diagnosed with cancer in 2010.
Dubbed the Queen of Soul, she announced her partial retirement last year, saying she would release one last album and perform at "some select things".
Her most recent performance was in November last year at Sir Elton John's Aids Foundation's 25th anniversary gala in New York.
Stevie Wonder and Reverend Jesse Jackson were among the stars to visit Franklin at her home in Detroit, Michigan, over the last few days.
More from Aretha Franklin
Numerous other artists – including Beyonce, Jay-Z and Mariah Carey – had also sent their best wishes.
Franklin's best-known songs span many decades and include Respect, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, I Knew You Were Waiting For Me and Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves.
[contf] [contfnew] 
Sky News
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
