It’ll probably come as no surprise to you, but Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, Alicia Keys and Missy Elliott were the big winners at the 2005 Lady of Soul Awards. However since none of them attended the ceremony, it was left for Aretha Franklin steal the show
and she did.

Sister Re took home the Lena Horne Award for outstanding career achievements and gave two rousing performances — “Until You Come Back to Me” with Stevie Wonder on piano and a pumped-up version of her hit “Respect.”

Franklin, the Memphis born and Detroit raised soulful legend pounded out high and low notes, holding her microphone out to the audience on the song’s famous chorus.

“I don’t think I can carry it, but I am absolutely thrilled to be receiving this award,” she said.

On the other hand, since she was in the house, Madame Franklin personally presented the Aretha Franklin Award for entertainer of the year to Amerie, whose bouncy anthem “1 Thing” was a summertime hit.

Brian McKnight, Toni Braxton and Ciara hosted the show taped live at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. It will be syndicated for broadcast later this month.