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.
