Jennifer Hudson forInStyle.Photo: Chrisean RoseJennifer Hudsonis reflecting on how relating toAretha Franklin’s life story helped her portray the soul legend in the upcoming biopicRespect.Speaking withInStylefor the magazine’s August cover story, the actress and singer admits of taking on the role of Franklin, “As an actor, you have to go to your own real places.““I don’t think I would have been able to dig that deep or connect in a way had I not been through things myself,” said Hudson, 39.While the star didn’t touch on specifics, there are scenes inRespectthat deal heavily with grief and pain, including the death of Franklin’s mother Barbara (Audra McDonald) and the late singer’s abusive relationship with her first husband, Ted White (Marlon Wayans).Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Jennifer Hudson (L); Aretha Franklin.Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic; Michael Stewart/WireImageJennifer Hudson forInStyle.Chrisean RoseFor Hudson, personal losses have included that of her motherDarnell Donersonand brother Jason,who were found fatally shotin 2008, inside the house she grew up in on Chicago’s South Side.“In that moment, it clicked with me like, ‘Is this what she saw in me?’ " theAmerican Idolalum went on of her musings about why Franklin wanted her on board. “Because we parallel in so many ways through our life stories and the things we’ve been through and experienced.““I know, as a person who has suffered a lot of loss, I don’t like having to talk to people who haven’t lost anything,” Hudson added.Quantrell D. Colbert/Metro Goldwyn Meyer PicturesRELATED VIDEO: Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson Reveals the First Thing Aretha Franklin Said to Her When They MetRespect, out next month, is a project 15 years in the making — and Hudson toldInStylethat she was initially “terrified” to meet Franklin, whodied in 2018 of pancreatic cancerat age 76, considering the latter’s reputation.“Aretha said, ‘What? Are you shy or something?’ I said, ‘Well, I am talking to the Queen of Soul!’ " theOscarwinner recalled.“She said, ‘Jennifer, you’re going to do this,’ " Hudson added of Franklin’s gusto about the tole. “I’m like, ‘Well,I’ll do it if she says I can do it, if she thinks I can.’ That’s Ms. Franklin!“Respectpremieres in theaters Aug. 13, with the soundtrack being released on the same day.Jennifer Hudson’s full interview will be featured in InStyle’s August issue, on newsstands Friday.
Jennifer Hudson forInStyle.Photo: Chrisean Rose
Jennifer Hudsonis reflecting on how relating toAretha Franklin’s life story helped her portray the soul legend in the upcoming biopicRespect.Speaking withInStylefor the magazine’s August cover story, the actress and singer admits of taking on the role of Franklin, “As an actor, you have to go to your own real places.““I don’t think I would have been able to dig that deep or connect in a way had I not been through things myself,” said Hudson, 39.While the star didn’t touch on specifics, there are scenes inRespectthat deal heavily with grief and pain, including the death of Franklin’s mother Barbara (Audra McDonald) and the late singer’s abusive relationship with her first husband, Ted White (Marlon Wayans).Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Jennifer Hudson (L); Aretha Franklin.Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic; Michael Stewart/WireImageJennifer Hudson forInStyle.Chrisean RoseFor Hudson, personal losses have included that of her motherDarnell Donersonand brother Jason,who were found fatally shotin 2008, inside the house she grew up in on Chicago’s South Side.“In that moment, it clicked with me like, ‘Is this what she saw in me?’ " theAmerican Idolalum went on of her musings about why Franklin wanted her on board. “Because we parallel in so many ways through our life stories and the things we’ve been through and experienced.““I know, as a person who has suffered a lot of loss, I don’t like having to talk to people who haven’t lost anything,” Hudson added.Quantrell D. Colbert/Metro Goldwyn Meyer PicturesRELATED VIDEO: Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson Reveals the First Thing Aretha Franklin Said to Her When They MetRespect, out next month, is a project 15 years in the making — and Hudson toldInStylethat she was initially “terrified” to meet Franklin, whodied in 2018 of pancreatic cancerat age 76, considering the latter’s reputation.“Aretha said, ‘What? Are you shy or something?’ I said, ‘Well, I am talking to the Queen of Soul!’ " theOscarwinner recalled.“She said, ‘Jennifer, you’re going to do this,’ " Hudson added of Franklin’s gusto about the tole. “I’m like, ‘Well,I’ll do it if she says I can do it, if she thinks I can.’ That’s Ms. Franklin!“Respectpremieres in theaters Aug. 13, with the soundtrack being released on the same day.Jennifer Hudson’s full interview will be featured in InStyle’s August issue, on newsstands Friday.
Jennifer Hudsonis reflecting on how relating toAretha Franklin’s life story helped her portray the soul legend in the upcoming biopicRespect.
Speaking withInStylefor the magazine’s August cover story, the actress and singer admits of taking on the role of Franklin, “As an actor, you have to go to your own real places.”
“I don’t think I would have been able to dig that deep or connect in a way had I not been through things myself,” said Hudson, 39.
While the star didn’t touch on specifics, there are scenes inRespectthat deal heavily with grief and pain, including the death of Franklin’s mother Barbara (Audra McDonald) and the late singer’s abusive relationship with her first husband, Ted White (Marlon Wayans).
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Jennifer Hudson (L); Aretha Franklin.Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic; Michael Stewart/WireImage
Jennifer Hudson forInStyle.Chrisean Rose
For Hudson, personal losses have included that of her motherDarnell Donersonand brother Jason,who were found fatally shotin 2008, inside the house she grew up in on Chicago’s South Side.
“In that moment, it clicked with me like, ‘Is this what she saw in me?’ " theAmerican Idolalum went on of her musings about why Franklin wanted her on board. “Because we parallel in so many ways through our life stories and the things we’ve been through and experienced.”
“I know, as a person who has suffered a lot of loss, I don’t like having to talk to people who haven’t lost anything,” Hudson added.
Quantrell D. Colbert/Metro Goldwyn Meyer Pictures
RELATED VIDEO: Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson Reveals the First Thing Aretha Franklin Said to Her When They Met
Respect, out next month, is a project 15 years in the making — and Hudson toldInStylethat she was initially “terrified” to meet Franklin, whodied in 2018 of pancreatic cancerat age 76, considering the latter’s reputation.
“Aretha said, ‘What? Are you shy or something?’ I said, ‘Well, I am talking to the Queen of Soul!’ " theOscarwinner recalled.
“She said, ‘Jennifer, you’re going to do this,’ " Hudson added of Franklin’s gusto about the tole. “I’m like, ‘Well,I’ll do it if she says I can do it, if she thinks I can.’ That’s Ms. Franklin!”
Respectpremieres in theaters Aug. 13, with the soundtrack being released on the same day.
Jennifer Hudson’s full interview will be featured in InStyle’s August issue, on newsstands Friday.
source: people.com
