Check out Jennifer Hudson at the Los Angeles premiere of the Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect. The American Idol alum, who plays the Queen of Soul, wore a glittery purple Dolce and Gabbana gown that featured a thigh-high slit and long gauzy train.
Many stars joined her on the red carpet, including American Idol alums Jordin Sparks and Tori Kelly. Her son David Otunga Jr. and sister Julia were also in attendance. See the photo gallery below.
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Jennifer shared her thoughts on the red carpet before the premiere.”She’s always been one of my idols,” Jennifer explained about what it meant to play Aretha Franklin on the big screen. “And then for her to pick me to do, this is beyond a blessing, a dream, an honor. I do not take it lightly and I just wanted to give every bit of my own to pay tribute to her yet again.” Jennifer added, “And also it was my dream to play her. So add all those things up. You know, that’s what it means to me.”
“She’s blessed so many of us through her music”
She also shared what she hoped to accomplish through the film, explaining that she wanted to “allow [Aretha’s] influence that she’s always had on me to come through.” Jennifer hoped to “tell the story from the most honest, careful, vulnerable place I possibly could.”
“She’s blessed so many of us through her music,” Jennifer said. “And I think all of us have been influenced by her musically.” She added, “That’s the importance of biopics–telling the stories of the legends, of the icons that are timeless, to make sure it carries on for generations and generations to come.”
Jennifer Hudson stars in Respect, which opens in theaters on August 13.
When Jennifer met Aretha
On her Instagram, Jennifer posted photos of the first time she met Aretha in 2004. “In honor of Premiere Day!” Jennifer wrote. “This is the first time I met @arethafranklin in 2004. I got to open her show that night ! I’ll never forget it. Thank u.”
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