News | Entertainment
29 Mar 2024 10:58
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Jennifer Hudson felt under pressure playing Aretha Franklin in 'Respect'

    The 40-year-old singer stars in the new biopic about the music icon, and she's admitted it was a "scary" role to take on


    She shared: "I mean, playing the queen herself, Aretha Franklin, it was the scariest thing ever.

    "Obviously she can’t be duplicated. I know what she represents and what she means to the world - including myself. It’s not easy when you’re entrusted with something like that; I did not take it lightly at all."

    However, Jennifer benefited from being a long-time fan of the late star.

    She told The Independent: "Already knowing a lot of the music helped me prepare.

    "But at the same time, when it came to actually recreating these moments and scenes, it’s like, ‘Wait a minute: in this scene she doesn’t know the song [yet], so I can’t sing it as I know it to be or what it became to me.’ That’s when it got tricky at times."

    Jennifer can relate to some aspects of Aretha's journey to stardom.

    The award-winning singer - who rose to fame in 2004 on 'American Idol' -

    said: "So many things [about Aretha’s early career] resonate to me in my own life as far as my artistry."

    Jennifer has also been inspired by Aretha's activism.

    Discussing her admiration of the 'I Say a Little Prayer' hitmaker - who passed away in 2018, aged 76 - Jennifer said: "[She] showed you that you can use your platform to step up and make a difference. We all have a duty to do that. I know it inspired me in that way.

    "I remember while filming, all of these [BLM protests] were going on.

    [Her work] still relates and connects to that. It’s our duty to carry that torch and make a difference."

    © 2024 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     29 Mar: Whoopi Goldberg stormed off the stage of 'The View' to tell off an audience member for filming it on his phone
     29 Mar: Machine Gun Kelly is said to be in "good spirits" despite Megan Fox admitting they once called off their engagement
     29 Mar: Inside Islamic State's transformation, from life support to 'slaughtering with gusto'
     29 Mar: Stephen Colbert regrets being one of the famous faces who stoked conspiracy theories about Catherine, Princess of Wales ahead of her cancer treatment announcement
     29 Mar: John Lydon felt as if he lost "half" of himself when his wife died
     29 Mar: Jessie James Decker's husband Eric has had a vasectomy
     29 Mar: Joely Richardson struggled to find an agent after she turned 50
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Calls for Rugby Australia to back their women's game from Chiefs Manawa fullback Renee Holmes More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Innovative New Zealand apple producing company Rockit is focussing on its international expansion More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Whoopi Goldberg stormed off the stage of 'The View' to tell off an audience member for filming it on his phone 10:53

    Cycling:
    Star Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert has had surgery after suffering multiple fractures in a crash which has put his Giro d'Italia entry in doubt 10:47

    Law and Order:
    Cordons remain in place in Auckland's Brown's Bay as police investigate a death following an assault 10:27

    Law and Order:
    The tangi of one of the men who died after a mass brawl at a 21st birthday party in Gisborne last weekend will be held today 10:27

    Entertainment:
    Machine Gun Kelly is said to be in "good spirits" despite Megan Fox admitting they once called off their engagement 10:23

    Rugby:
    Calls for Rugby Australia to back their women's game from Chiefs Manawa fullback Renee Holmes 10:07

    Tennis:
    The men's semifinals at the Miami Open will feature a rematch of this year's Australian Open final 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Inside Islamic State's transformation, from life support to 'slaughtering with gusto' 9:57

    Entertainment:
    Stephen Colbert regrets being one of the famous faces who stoked conspiracy theories about Catherine, Princess of Wales ahead of her cancer treatment announcement 9:53

    Business:
    Innovative New Zealand apple producing company Rockit is focussing on its international expansion 9:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd