VIDEO: Jennifer Hudson Finds Her Voice in Trailer for Aretha Franklin Biopic ‘Respect’

Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald, Marlon Wayans, and Marc Maron co-star in the Aug. 13 film

May 19, 2021

Actress, musician, and Stern Show veteran Jennifer Hudson finds her voice in the new trailer for “Respect,” an upcoming biopic about legendary singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist Aretha Franklin.

The clip begins in Memphis, well before the Queen of Soul has earned her moniker, as a young Aretha Franklin (Skye Dakota Turner) learns a few valuable lessons about life and music. It then cuts to a grown-up Franklin (Hudson) struggling to understand why her first batch of records hasn’t found much success. The superstar-in-waiting eventually realizes she just has to look within.

“I need a change. I want to sing what I want to sing,” Hudson says (above) before recording Aretha’s version of the film’s titular anthem.

Directed by Tracey Scott Wilson, “Respect” co-stars Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Titus Burgess, and Marc Maron who plays famed journalist turned music producer Jerry Wexler.

As Stern Show fans will remember, Maron made his Stern Show debut in 2013. Hudson, meanwhile, sat down with Howard in 2014, memorably opening up about everything from her “American Idol” days to her award-winning performance in “Dreamgirls.” Watch a clip from her interview (below).

“Respect” opens Aug. 13 in theaters.

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