Whitney

Whitney was influenced by Aretha though.

Aretha created the blueprint.

Non-Americans name singers like Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Elvis, MJ, on and on.., etc as influences way more often than vice-versa. That’s just how it is. & there are probably way more influential non-American singers than this Mina woman like Francoise Hardy, Jacques Brel (and that’s ignoring more obvious picks like Freddie Mercury, Joni Mitchell, yada yada etc)

A claim like this should have some backing by OP if they aren’t just looking for laughs…

m-m-m-m-meatball music 😃