Aretha Franklin investigating Halle Berry family connection

Soul star Aretha Franklin is investigating claims she is related to actress Halle Berry.

The Respect hitmaker has revealed a family member told her that her grandmother was Berry's grandmother's cousin.

Franklin's publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn, has released a statement to website MadameNoire.com revealing, "The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin may have discovered another famous new leaf on her family tree. Franklin reports that, according to a family member, her grandmother and Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry's grandmother were first cousins.

"Franklin is currently investigating the authenticity of the family member's claim. Franklin has stated in the past that Berry reminds her of the younger version of herself. Maybe it will turn out to be a family resemblance."

The Queen of Soul has previously tipped the Monster's Ball star as her top choice to play her in an upcoming biopic.

Strangely, Berry revealed earlier this week (begs15Oct12) she is a distant relative of former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.