The Oscar- and Grammy-winning actress received « marching orders » from legendary singer Aretha Franklin, who hand-picked the « Dreamgirls » star for her true dream role – truly a command performance.
Aretha Franklin’s signature song, « Respect, » was originally recorded by Otis Redding in 1965. Her version, just two years later, is the one that became a classic, and a part of American history Contributor Kelefa Sanneh asked Jennifer Hudson, « Why do you think that song, ‘Respect,’ has become such a touchstone? » « Think about what it represents, » she replied. « You mean to tell me a Black woman in the civil rights era was bold enough to come and take a man’s song, make it her own song, make it an anthem, and it’s a representation of people and of that time? That’s powerful. » Hudson, the Oscar- and Grammy-winning actress and singer, plays Franklin in a new film, « Respect. » « The movie’s called ‘Respect,’ it’s about Aretha Franklin, the movie’s gonna live or die based on your performance of this song, right? » asked Sanneh. « Don’t kill me! » Hudson laughed. To watch a trailer click on the video player below: She said, « That is the song, out of all the songs, that stunted me, that made me stop, say, ‘Wait a minute…' » « How did you comfortable enough to say, ‘I’m just gonna do it’? » « I’m just gonna do it! All I hear is that voice: ‘Jennifer, now you go do,’ you know? And it’s like, okay. Well, I got my marching orders. » Those « marching orders » came straight from Aretha Franklin herself, who was impressed by Hudson’s 2006 performance in « Dreamgirls, » and handpicked her for her true dream role. Hudson said, « The very first thing Aretha said to me when we sat down was, ‘You’re gonna win an Oscar for playing me, right?’ Huh? I didn’t know what to say. And then maybe eight years after that, I was doing ‘Color Purple.’ That’s when she gave me the call and said, ‘Young lady, I’ve made my decision. It is you who I want to play me, and don’t say nothing.’ I was like, ‘Yes, ma’am, I won’t.' » The film chronicles the joys and sorrows of Franklin’s life. She became a mother at age 12.
