Jennifer Hudson on Playing Aretha Franklin in 'Respect' Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Close
Jennifer Hudson Fulfills Her Destiny in Playing Aretha Franklin in Respect
The film and music star on the Queen of Soul Whitney Houston and her mom s enduring wisdom
Emily Shur/August Seeking Whitney br
When I was a kid and saw Whitney Houston, I was, like, I want to do that. I want to be like that. Role models teach you what to do. But you can also learn what not to do, you know? It s gospel
In church you learn to sing with a purpose and for a higher being, other than yourself — you learn how to sing with a message, with substance. That's what gives music the power to help people, to comfort, to change, to resonate with others. Without that connection, it's just sound. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Destiny s child
Jennifer Hudson stars as Aretha Franklin in "Respect." Quantrell D. Colbert/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures I believe in destiny. I sang Aretha Franklin's “Share Your Love With Me” for my American Idol audition. To play her was a dream of mine. I met her 15 years ago, and she said, “I want Jennifer to play me.” While filming Respect, I'm, like, This is actually happening. It manifested! Being famous
Everyone used to say, “Jenny's got her grandmother's voice!” My grandmother Julia Kate could have been a gospel star like Mahalia Jackson, but she never wanted to be famous, “because you have to sing when you don't feel like it!” Sometimes I feel like that. But when it's a passion and a love, even when you're tired, you push through and go out there and perform. That before this
Everything prepares you for what's next. You may not understand in the moment why you're going through something, but it's molding you. My dream was to be a singer — I didn't know about acting or what the Oscars were. But I won an Oscar before I won a Grammy, and I did a film before I did an album. Sometimes things pick you. Mother s wisdom
I have a whole room in my house dedicated to all the sayings of my mother when I was growing up. [Hudson's mother, brother and nephew were shot to death in 2008.] I put them on the walls as an homage to her. My own saying is “You never know how much a parent loves you until you have a child to love.” Gun violence
People think, Oh, [gun violence] can't happen to me. But it can happen to anyone. I know that all too well. We have to build awareness and put a stop to it by getting out and marching and using our platforms to make a difference. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > The voice
David is very musical. He sings and plays the piano. He's a rapper and writes songs and beautiful poems. We sing together. The other day I told him, “You don't understand how much you inspire me!" What chill looks like
I love the sun. Drawing. Chocolate. And sitting at the piano — certain chords of music calm me. I love being with my son and my animals. I find it soothing to get in a car, put on music and just drive. It's an escape. I don't even want a destination, just to drive. Like Aretha, I love road trips. Looking forward
By 50? I want my JHud Productions to be a staple in the industry like Oprah's Harpo Studios and Tyler Perry's studio and Walt Disney's. I want to keep doing what I love to do. And I want to give kids and dreamers opportunities. —As told to Natasha Stoynoff Oscar–Grammy–Golden Globe winner Jennifer Hudson, 39, appears as Aretha Franklin in the upcoming biopic, Respect, in theaters Aug. 13. More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS