A new clip released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios from the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect shows Jennifer Hudson, who portrays the “Queen of Soul” in the movie, performing “Think.”
“This song goes out to anyone who’s ever felt mistreated,” J. Hud introduces the invigorating performance from the movie with a soft-spoken tone.
During a chat with Apple Music 1‘s Zane Lowe on Tuesday, Hudson explained how Franklin knew she was the right person for the job in portraying her.
“When I did the BET tribute to her, in my mind, I was like, ‘This is my audition.’ Although we’ve had conversations about it long before then, our first conversation was right after I won the Oscar for Dreamgirls,” she recalled. “And then she called me during Color Purple and was like, ‘It’s you who I want to play me. Don’t say a thing.'”
“I feel as though I was one of the last people to speak to her before she passed,” Hudson added. “I didn’t even realize just how sickly she had gotten. And I’m like, ‘She called me. Wow.’ And that call to me was her saying, ‘I hope you’re ready because it’s time.'”
Hudson also explained that she performed the music in the film live because she wanted to channel Franklin’s exact approach and emotions to the songs.
The biopic, which premiers on Friday (August 13), chronicles Aretha Franklin’s musical journey, beginning from her participation in her father’s church’s choir to her rise as an international superstar.
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