JENNIFER HUDSON ON HOW DRESSING UP BROUGHT HER CLOSER TO ARETHA FRANKLIN
The showstopping purple sequin Dolce & Gabbana gown Jennifer Hudson chose for the black carpet – teamed with Christian Louboutin heels – at the Los Angeles premiere of Respect blew onlookers away.
It was a fitting outfit for the Oscar winner, whose leading man for the night was 12-year-old son David Daniel Otunga Jr (from her past relationship with actor David Otunga) – as she herself was full of praise for the costumes she wears in her latest leading role.
The wardrobe for portraying the “icon, a legend and an international treasure” in the much-anticipated Aretha Franklin biopic included more than 80 different outfits, says Jennifer. “The clothes actually taught me a lot about her. I remember there is a scene when it’s her birthday and I had to wear a gown and fur coat; I said: ‘Who gets dressed up like this? Oh, of course, the Queen of Soul!’ It taught me how she spoke more through her presence and expressions, which were very subtle for women during that time. “Aretha is a queen, so I did try to embody that regal presence, that stillness, soulfulness and spirit she had.”
The 39-year-old Chicago-born actress and singer was chosen by Aretha herself before her death in 2018. “Yeah, it’s the crazy thing. It was over 15 years ago, right after I won my Oscar for Dreamgirls, that we had our first conversation, so you can only imagine how I feel now it’s here and it’s done. To see it actually manifest and for her to choose me... I can’t even begin to put it into words. It’s a dream come true.
I don’t want to sound cheesy but it is.”
While reviews have been mixed for the film, which also stars Forest Whitaker and Mary J Blige, there has been resounding praise from critics for the leading lady, which would have been music to the ears of Aretha, who predicted Jennifer would win another Oscar.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
“That is actually the first thing she said to me when we sat down and met in New York. She was like: ‘You’re going to win an Oscar for playing me, right?’ I was like: ‘Well, I can try!’” recalls Jennifer, who also performed at her funeral. “I’m just so humbled that she picked me to play her and I just want to honour her legacy and make her proud in the best way possible.”
In preparation for the role, Jennifer and Aretha were in regular contact. “We spoke weekly before she passed. I feel like in the midst of those conversations, she taught me more about life, while teaching me about her life. Those were words of wisdom coming from the Queen of Soul herself. That helped me embody the story that much more.”
When asked what she hopes the audience will feel after watching the film, due out in the UK on 10 September – just two days before Jennifer celebrates her 40th birthday – she says: “Musically, we all know who Aretha is but to get to know her as a person, as a mother, as a preacher’s kid, a sister, means everything to me.
“This is Aretha the person, the human, which is sometimes hard to see when someone is an icon to the extent she was and always will be.”
Taking the role was clearly a moment of reflection in her own life too, as she says: “When I look back at how Aretha influenced me musically, I truly feel like my whole life prepared me for it.
“Even when I was on American Idol, my audition was an Aretha Franklin song. To fast-forward from then to now and to see the outcome, it’s like coming full circle.”
‘ I want to honour her legacy and make her proud in the best way possible’