Jennifer Hudson reveals being handpicked by Aretha Franklin for biopic | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
June 02, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, JUNE 02, 2025
Jennifer Hudson reveals being handpicked by Aretha Franklin for biopic

Glitz

Reuters
10 August, 2021, 10:20 am
Last modified: 10 August, 2021, 10:32 am

Related News

  • Michael Jackson biopic undergoes reshoots to address legal complications
  • Britney biopic in works as Universal buys memoir rights
  • Oppenheimer overtakes Bohemian Rhapsody to become highest-grossing biopic of all time
  • Ranbir Kapoor talks about Sourav Ganguly's biopic, confirms working on Kishore Kumar's biopic
  • Michael Jackson's nephew to star in King of Pop biopic

Jennifer Hudson reveals being handpicked by Aretha Franklin for biopic

Franklin, who died in 2018 at age 76, handpicked Hudson, an Oscar winner for "Dreamgirls"

Reuters
10 August, 2021, 10:20 am
Last modified: 10 August, 2021, 10:32 am
Jennifer Hudson reveals being handpicked by Aretha Franklin for biopic. Photo: Collected
Jennifer Hudson reveals being handpicked by Aretha Franklin for biopic. Photo: Collected

Jennifer Hudson says she is nervous and excited for people to see "Respect," her personal tribute to the late Aretha Franklin in which she was cast for the role by the Queen of Soul herself.

Franklin, who died in 2018 at age 76, handpicked Hudson, an Oscar winner for "Dreamgirls," to play her in the biographical movie that arrives in theaters on Friday.

The new film, the second screen project this year to tell Franklin's remarkable story, focuses on the challenges of her life from a child in her father's gospel church choir through domestic violence and alcohol addiction as she finds worldwide fame.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Hudson, 39, who sang at Franklin's funeral, said she felt the two had a lot in common.

"Our faith - that's one. I didn't realize she had the tragedies that she had in her life - that as well," Hudson said. The film, she said, is "from the heart, and it's a tribute to Miss Franklin, and I hope in the best possible way."

Hudson had weekly phone calls with Franklin before her death, and the singer stressed that she wanted her faith to be the main theme of the movie.

"That was her base and premise, and that was the most important thing to me to remind everyone of and keep the context of throughout that process," Hudson said.

Director Liesl Tommy said Franklin's darker moments were a key part of her journey.

"You can go to any church and listen to any choir and there's astounding voices. But she had something different. And that was her ability to bring emotionality to her songs, to her storytelling," Tommy said.

"You had to understand - her trauma is what led to her triumph," she added

"Respect" also stars Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron and Marlon Wayans.

British actress Cynthia Erivo played Franklin in the limited TV series "Genius: Aretha" that was released in March and which earned her an Emmy nomination.

Jennifer Hudson / Aretha Franklin / Biopic

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Photo: Collected
    All eyes on Yunus-led interim govt as national budget set to unfold today
  • Major (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan. Photo: Collected
    Major Sinha murder: HC upholds death sentence of Pradip, Liakat, life imprisonment of 6 others
  • 17 makeshift cattle markets leased in Dhaka for Eid: Who gets the most
    17 makeshift cattle markets leased in Dhaka for Eid: Who gets the most

MOST VIEWED

  • Infographic: TBS
    Govt targets Dec opening of Dhaka airport's 3rd terminal but Japanese consortium wants 2 more months
  • Infograph: TBS
    Low imports, low confidence, low growth: Is Bangladesh in a slow-burning crisis?
  • Representational image. Photo: Reuters
    Remittance hits second-highest monthly record of $2.97b in May ahead of Eid
  • Budget may offer major tax breaks for capital market
    Budget may offer major tax breaks for capital market
  • Teesta River overflowing at one of its gates on 1 June 2025. Photo: UNB
    44 gates opened as water levels in Teesta rise
  • Infographic: TBS
    Jobs drying up as private sector struggles to survive

Related News

  • Michael Jackson biopic undergoes reshoots to address legal complications
  • Britney biopic in works as Universal buys memoir rights
  • Oppenheimer overtakes Bohemian Rhapsody to become highest-grossing biopic of all time
  • Ranbir Kapoor talks about Sourav Ganguly's biopic, confirms working on Kishore Kumar's biopic
  • Michael Jackson's nephew to star in King of Pop biopic

Features

Sketch: TBS

Budget FY26: What corporate Bangladesh expects

3h | Budget
The customers in super shops are carrying their purchases in alternative bags or free paper bags. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

Super shops leading the way in polythene ban implementation

2h | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Slice, store, sizzle: Kitchen must-haves for Eid-ul-Adha 2025

22h | Brands
The wide fenders, iconic hood scoop and unmistakable spoiler are not just cosmetic; they symbolise a machine built to grip dirt, asphalt and hearts alike. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Resurrecting the Hawkeye: A Subaru WRX STI rebuild

1d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Delicious Fish Cake

Delicious Fish Cake

11m | TBS Programs
Why is OPEC+ increasing production even though oil prices are falling?

Why is OPEC+ increasing production even though oil prices are falling?

41m | Others
Major Sinha murder: High Court upholds death sentence of OC Pradeep and Liakat

Major Sinha murder: High Court upholds death sentence of OC Pradeep and Liakat

1h | TBS Today
What is IFIC Bank doing to recover Salman Rahman's anonymous loans?

What is IFIC Bank doing to recover Salman Rahman's anonymous loans?

2h | TBS Programs
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net