Chaka Khan Loses Weight, Resembles Nicki Minaj (PHOTOS)

Chaka Khan may have celebrated her 59th birthday just this past March, but now its time for a new celebration in honor of her dramatic weight loss.

Khan revealed her slimmed-down figure at the 38th Anniversary Benefit Concert For Jazz in Atlanta, The Daily Mail reports, the result of a healthier lifestyle she's adopted since being diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. (Khan even championed greater awareness about heart disease earlier this year, donning a Chris March gown and walking the runway in the Heart Truth's annual Red Dress Fashion Show.)

The past few years seem to have been dedicated to getting healthy. In February, Khan, who has been sober for eight years, opened up about her battle with substance abuse in a segment of ABC News' "Cause Celeb" with celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch.

"I'm just a human being and scared most of the time like everybody else is," she said, referencing her public struggle with drug and alcohol use. "I don't regret anything in my life because... it made me the amazing chick that I am."

The singer has also been rallying the support of her fans via Twitter, some of whom say that side by side pics of a young Chaka closely resemble Nicki Minaj. Khan agreed, saying she does see the similarity.

PHOTO: Chaka Khan before and after.

Earlier on HuffPost:

Chaka Khan's style throughout the years

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Comments

[Von Vonne]

10:53 PM on 02/08/2013

Chaka does not look like Minaj; if at all, it would be the other way around.

[big mike 315]

09:34 PM on 12/29/2012

She still is sooo damn fine....lol. A very beautiful, mature woman. WOW!!!!!!

[Ponniah Mahmuwd]

07:08 PM on 10/18/2012

Incredible. The woman has one of the greatest virtuoso singers of our time and all people care about is her weight.

[M Smoove]

12:36 PM on 06/04/2012

Chaka looks great!!! But like Nicki Minaj... I don't see it!!! I actually think Chaka looks way better than Nicki Minaj, who tends to look like a clown at times.

[Better B Good 2me]

03:32 PM on 06/01/2012

Chaka looks sooooo much nicer than Ms. Minage. Minage ain't got nothin' on Chaka!!!

[laffFUwant]

07:14 PM on 05/30/2012

Yay Chaka!!!!

[tazshanghi1]

09:25 PM on 05/26/2012

Let's clarify that statement, Nicki Minaj favors Chaka Khan. Give the real Diva her props, she earned it.

[trebutts]

11:36 AM on 05/31/2012

Exactly.

[sweetpea4700]

08:50 PM on 05/26/2012

now here comes the movie

[AppealforJustice2010]

11:51 AM on 05/26/2012

The Queen of Funk looks fabulous! Rock it out Chaka Khan!

[SkreetGil1]

09:24 AM on 05/24/2012

Luv Chaka Khan! She and Nicki do resemble each other.

[UnspoiledGenYer]

10:59 PM on 05/23/2012

I love Miss Chaka Khan either way. That's my baby. I am excited that she's a lot healthier now, though. I love great news like this.

I'm in my 20s, but after watching the many videos online of the past decades and listening to my old school CDs (yes, I still buy those LOL), I feel like i'm my mama's age LOL all the fellas who got the chance to witness Chaka, Donna, Natalie, and the rest of the lovely women of the 70s back in the day were LUCKY!

[Ms. Lou]

10:52 PM on 05/23/2012

I always thought Chaka was pretty; before and after. Good for her.

[charlieup2]

05:09 AM on 05/19/2012

Chaka Khan has ALWAYS been beautiful!

[Jim W Jones Jr]

05:02 PM on 06/06/2012

I agree! However you wanna give it to us,....just give it! Chaka is just the deal no matter what!

[mr whiteffolks]

04:54 AM on 05/19/2012

Chaka was a brick house in her younger days !

[CAVet4Peace]

06:59 PM on 06/01/2012

And mighty, mighty!

[Linda Battaglia]

12:36 AM on 05/19/2012

you mean Nicki resembles Chaka

[AppealforJustice2010]

11:51 AM on 05/26/2012

Agreed!