Chaka Khan has been stunning fans lately with a new look (she’s lost 60 pounds) and a refreshing, new outlook on life. The Grammy Award winning artist has been speaking out about her past struggles with drugs and alcohol. She was also overweight and was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. Friends say that she has undergone a profound spiritual change as well. Elev8 reports:

Ten-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Chaka Khan joined David Foster and Friends at the Kennedy Center Spring Gala in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, May 6, to raise money for arts education. Foster’s other “friends” included singers Jewel and Peter Cincotti, along with trumpeter Chris Botti, violinist Caroline Campbell, soprano Angel Blue and a multicultural group of new and developing artists. Chaka performed “Through the Fire,” “I’m Every Woman,” and the newly penned “The Promise That We Make,” which she performed for the finale with all performers and 40 wives of military servicemen.

The evening before, Chaka electrified a sold-out crowd at the historic Howard Theatre. Performing for an audience of loyal and devoted fans, she sang her signature classic hits, including “I Feel For You,” “Tell Me Something Good,” “Sweet Thing,” “Everlasting Love,” “Ain’t Nobody” and more. The Washington Post headline for its rave review read, “Chaka takes the crowd through the fire.” Chaka shared her testimony with the audience about her days of alcohol and drug abuse and the desperate and urgent pleas from her daughter and mother that put her on the road to recovery. During an interview at the Howard Theatre, TV and radio personality Tavis Smiley shared with DeNeen Brown of the Washington Post, “I’ve seen her so many times, but I’ve never seen her go to church. Tonight’s concert was a spiritual experience.” April Ellington, daughter of Duke Ellington added, “Chaka is in absolutely fine voice. She looks better than ever.”

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