After winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Dreamgirls in 2007, Jennifer Hudson met with music icon Aretha Franklin, who personally chose the American Idol finalist to portray her in a movie.
Three years after Aretha Franklin’s passing, her long-awaited biopic finally came to life in 2021, with Jennifer Hudson in the lead role.
Jennifer Hudson leaving Late Night With Seth Meyers studio after promoting her new movie Respect on August 17, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Jennifer Hudson’s Deep Connection to Aretha Franklin: A Role That Felt Personal
Jennifer Hudson shared that filming the Aretha Franklin biopic resonated deeply with her own life, particularly in scenes reflecting personal struggles similar to those she has faced.
Jennifer Hudson, portraying Aretha Franklin, exudes vintage elegance in mustard tones and classic brown kitten heels while filming the final scene of Respect in lower Manhattan on February 15, 2020 (Credit: L. Gallo / WENN / Instar)
She believes her own life experiences and triumphs enabled her to authentically portray Franklin, suggesting that Franklin saw in her a capacity perhaps even Hudson herself hadn’t recognized.
“I feel like while we were filming, I think it goes beyond the singing and how Jennifer sings and acts. It’s within the scene when Aretha’s mother comes to her; it felt so true to my own life. And in the moment I was like, ‘I don’t think I would’ve been able to tell the story without my own life experience and triumphs,’ and I feel like she saw far more than what I saw,” she shared.
“In that moment, I said, ‘This is what it was – this is why.’ It was things that I discovered throughout the film that at least I told myself, ‘This must be the reason,’” Hudson told Variety when asked why Aretha picked her.
“I feel like that was the takeaway for me: owning your voice,” she added. “She was always big about that. And it wasn’t until she owned her voice that we got our Queen of Soul. So if we all took that moment to go within ourselves and own what we have, what king and queen lies under there?”
Jennifer Hudson channels vintage sophistication as Aretha Franklin in Respect, wearing a mustard coat draped over a coordinating dress, accessorized with gloves and a bold silk scarf, while filming in Manhattan
The film follows Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church choir to her international superstardom. The iconic American singer was involved with the development until her death on August 16, 2018. Delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie premiered in Los Angeles on August 8, 2021.
How Jennifer Hudson Brought Aretha Franklin to Life: Singing, Piano, and Passion
In addition to doing all her own singing live on set for Respect, she learned to play the piano for the movie. “I started piano lessons,” David Otunga’s ex revealed in an interview with People.
“Aretha got me back in music school. It’s still a process, but the film has made me more passionate about learning an instrument and expressing myself musically.”
Jennifer Hudson plays piano and does her own singing as Aretha Franklin in Respect (Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Bron Studios)
“It was an actor’s choice to say ‘I cannot play Aretha Franklin without learning some element of the piano’. And now, when I’m learning music, I no longer just look at the top line, the melody line, the singing line,” she added in an interview with The New York Times.
“I’m considering it as an arranger. What key is that in? What is the progression?”
Jennifer Hudson’s Unforgettable Performances: Singing and Playing Like the Queen of Soul
Aretha Franklin’s songs covered by Hudson in the movie include “Respect,” “Ain’t No Way,” “I Never Loved A Man,” “Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Think,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” and “Amazing Grace.”
Jennifer Hudson’s Style and Stories: A Star’s ‘Respect’ Tour Across NYC
Jennifer Hudson has been busy promoting the biographical music drama in New York City. In August 2021, she dropped by Late Night with Seth Meyers, where she talked about the first time she met Aretha Franklin.
Jennifer Hudson first encountered Aretha Franklin in 2004, shortly after finishing seventh on “American Idol,” when she opened for Franklin’s concert in Merrillville, IN.
In a lighthearted moment shared with W Magazine, Hudson recalled Franklin’s humorous directive not to perform any of her songs.
When I got to open up for her concert, she allowed me to sing my own songs, but I got to watch her perform her songs.
Eight years after their initial meeting, Jennifer Hudson received a pivotal phone call from Aretha Franklin, who chose her to portray the music legend in a film.
Jennifer Hudson radiates confidence in a figure-hugging yellow Versace Spring 2021 midi dress, styled with pointed-toe PVC pumps, layered jewelry, and a chic floral mask (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Jennifer Hudson Opens Up About ‘Cats’: A Role She’s Still Proud Of
“You know what? I think it was a bit overwhelming,” she admitted about her role as Grizabella the Glamour Cat in the 2019 musical fantasy film Cats.
“It’s unfortunate that it was misunderstood. I think later down the line, people will see it differently. But it is something I am still very proud of and grateful to have been a part of,” Hudson told Seth Meyers.
Jennifer Hudson’s Show-Stopping Fashion Moments While Promoting ‘Respect’
The 39-year-old singer looked incredible in a bright yellow form-fitting dress from Versace’s Spring 2021 collection.
It features a deep scoop neckline with a contrasting built-in black bra that showcased her cleavage. The midi dress also boasts buckled shoulder straps and a fluted hem that falls just right below her knees.
Jennifer Hudson wears her short hair in tight curls and highlights her eyes with mascara and eyeliner (Credit: Mega / WENN)
J.Hud enhanced her appearance with diamond necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, alongside embellished nails by Mr. Luis Nails, and donned a floral-printed face mask.
Beauty-wise, Jennifer wore voluminous tight curls, highlighted her eyes with eyeliner and mascara, and wore a swipe of red lipstick with matching blush. A pair of clear black pointed-toe pumps rounded out Jennifer’s look.
Jennifer Hudson pairs her yellow fluted midi dress with black PVC pumps (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Jennifer Hudson’s Most Dazzling Shoe Moments: From Pumps to Crystal Sandals
Last week, the Grammy-winning singer was pictured leaving her NYC hotel in a bright orange midi dress.
The ribbed dress hugged J.Hud’s curves as it features a form-fitting silhouette with lace-detailed side slits fastened together by tonal ribbons. It also has long sleeves with puff shoulders and a sweetheart neckline that shows a hint of her cleavage.
Jennifer Hudson exudes elegance in an orange ribbed midi dress with lace-detailed slits, pairing the bold look with multicolored gem-embellished sandals and layered necklaces leaving her NYC hotel on August 12, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Not one to skimp on accessories, the Cats star styled her look with diamond drop earrings, bracelets, rings, and several dainty necklaces, including a Respect necklace, layered around her neck.
Looking all glammed up, the mom-of-one wore her short tresses in a classy vintage side-swept curled hairstyle. She then wore dark mascara, winged eyeliner, and bold red lipstick that matched her cheeks.
Jennifer Hudson styles her short hair in retro curls and wears bright red-orange lip color and winged eyeliner (Credit: Mega / WENN)
To complete her stunning look, Jennifer slipped her feet into Christian Louboutin multicolored gem-embellished sandals with asymmetrical straps, open toes, and about 4-inch heels.
Jennifer Hudson shows off her feet in Christian Louboutin multicolored crystal sandals (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Continuing her winning style streak, Jennifer looked every inch the movie star while outside The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where she performed the title track from her new film.
Jennifer Hudson turns heads outside The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in a dazzling feather-trimmed Zuhair Murad mini dress, paired with crystal-embellished mesh booties and oversized sunglasses on August 12, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)
She wore a Zuhair Murad sheer black cape-like mini dress covered in multicolored geometric sequins and a bow neckline. Adding to its flamboyance was the multicolored feathered hem grazing her thighs.
Jennifer wore a little black dress underneath the see-through mini to protect her modesty.
Jennifer Hudson wows in a Zuhair Murad sheer mini dress with multicolored geometric sequins and a feathered hem (Credit: Mega / WENN)
The award-winning singer-actress elevated the look further with crystal-embellished hoop earrings, a necklace, and a pair of oversized acetate-framed sunglasses with gradient lenses.
She then styled her short hair in glamorous curls and wore bright magenta lip color.
Jennifer Hudson wears magenta lip shade with shimmering eyeshadow and cat eyeliner (Credit: Mega / WENN)
While her dress was already striking, Jennifer finished her look with a sparkling pair of Le Silla ankle booties.
Jennifer Hudson steps out in dazzling Le Silla crystal-sock booties, featuring a mesh design adorned with shimmering rhinestones and a sleek stiletto heel (Credit: Mega / WENN)
This scene-stealer features a clear PVC pump with an ankle strap inside a black crystal-embellished sock-like net. It also has a pointed toe and a stiletto heel measuring about 4.7 inches.
Le Silla’s Gilda booties have clear PVC pumps covered with crystal-embellished net
Jennifer Hudson’s Show-Stopping Red Carpet Look at the ‘Respect’ Premiere
At the Los Angeles premiere, Jennifer brought her fashion A-game to the red carpet at Regency Village Theatre.
Jennifer Hudson at the premiere of Aretha Franklin’s biopic, Respect, held at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles on August 7, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)
She stunned in a purple sequin gown from Dolce & Gabbana with a custom silk chiffon veil from Jolleson draped over her shoulder.
The fitted gown is entirely covered in glittering sequins and features a strapless sweetheart neckline, a thigh-high slit, and a floor-sweeping hem with a dramatic long train.
Jennifer Hudson dazzles in a regal Dolce & Gabbana purple sequined gown with a dramatic Jolleson chiffon veil, completing the look with sparkling Christian Louboutin Degrastrass pumps (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Styled by Wayman and Micah, J.Hud accessorized her already shimmering look with a selection of Bulgari jewelry. She also wore bedazzled pointy nails done by celebrity nail tech Badazznailzz.
Makeup artist Adam Burrell highlighted Jennifer’s natural features with mascara, eyeliner, pink smokey eyeshadow, and lip gloss.
Meanwhile, hairstylist Kiyah Wright styled the singer’s hair into a sleek side-parted updo and attached the veil to her bun.
Jennifer Hudson styles her hair in a neat side-parted bun and wears neutral makeup with pink smokey eyeshadow (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Continuing with her look’s glimmering elements, Jennifer displayed her feet in Christian Louboutin Degrastrass pumps. These iconic heels have a PVC upper covered in strass crystals and nude patent leather trims.
Jennifer Hudson sparkles in Christian Louboutin Degrastrass pumps, featuring a transparent PVC upper adorned with strass crystals and signature red soles for a dazzling finish (Credit: Mega / WENN)
Jennifer Hudson’s affinity for Christian Louboutin’s exquisite designs has been evident in her numerous standout appearances.
Jennifer Hudson’s Christian Louboutin Obsession: A Love Story in Shoes
At the official photo call for The Voice UK in 2019, she captivated audiences in a Self-Portrait mini dress paired with Louboutin’s ‘Tres Frais’ sandals, exuding modern elegance.
Similarly, during the Revlon ‘Love Is On’ luncheon, Hudson showcased sophistication in a bodycon turtleneck dress complemented by Louboutin’s ‘Uptown’ pumps.
Her red carpet choices further highlight her impeccable taste; at the Cats world premiere, she donned the ‘Top Vague’ pumps, adding a touch of glamour to her ensemble. These instances underscore Hudson’s consistent selection of Louboutin footwear to enhance her distinctive style.