The new trailer debuted during the virtual BET Awards. It shows Hudson taking on the role of the Queen of Soul, hitting all the right notes, and delivering a couple of memorable lines—including “You have to disturb the peace when you can’t get no peace.”

Aretha Franklin hand-picked Jennifer Hudson to play her before passing away in 2018. The Oscar-winning actress told Sunday Today that her only goal is to honor the famous singer, and that’s she’s hoping she’ll make her proud and do her justice.

After several delays, Respect is expected to premiere on December 25th. It will also star Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Queen Latifah, and Mary J. Blige

The post Jennifer Hudson Channels Aretha Franklin in New “Respect” Trailer appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Hudson announced she wrapped the production on Respect by sharing a photo from the set, and describing how important this project is to her.

“Too overwhelmed to get into it right now but words can’t express how grateful I am to be chosen by the queen herself and to live out yet another dream! It was my honor, to honor the Queen’s request!” wrote the actress on Instagram.

In addition to being handpicked by the Queen of Soul herself to play her in a biopic, Jennifer Hudson also sang the timeless hit “Amazing Grace” at Franklin’s funeral in 2018.

Respect is scheduled to come out on October 9th, and it will also star Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, and Mary J. Blige.

The post Jennifer Hudson Reflects on Playing Aretha Franklin appeared first on EverydayKoala.

National Geographic will bring back this series on May 25th, and the new season will follow Franklin’s journey to building a successful career in the music industry and leaving behind countless timeless songs that influenced music and culture around the world.

Erivo is no stranger to portraying important historical figures. She recently scored an Oscar nomination for her role in the Harriet Tubman biopic. She also won a Grammy and Tony awards for her work in musical theater, so she’ll have no trouble performing Franklin’s biggest hits.

“Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a little girl. Her strength, passion, and soul are evident in her everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon,” said the actress in a statement.

The post Cynthia Erivo is Aretha Franklin in New “Genius” Teaser appeared first on EverydayKoala.

While it was originally believed that Aretha Franklin has no will, not one, but three have now been discovered, one of which was behind the sofa cushions.

The Queen of Soul passed away in August of last year at the age of 76. Nine months after her death, the niece of the “Say a Little Prayer for You” singer, Sabrina Owens, has found a will dated 2014 in a notebook underneath some couch cushions. Another two handwritten wills, dated 2010, were also located in a locked cabinet.

Owens filed the documents in court on May 20th, with their validity to be examined at a hearing on the 12th of June.

According to the documents, the late music icon requested her son, Kecalf Franklin, serve as the estate’s personal representative, as opposed to Owens who currently holds the position.

The post Aretha Franklin’s Will has been Discovered appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Season Three of Nat Geo’s Emmy-nominated scripted anthology will be based on the life and career of the Queen of Soul. The first two seasons centered on Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, which means the forthcoming season will mark the first time the series will center on a woman.

The upcoming season was initially planned to feature author Mary Shelley, however, following Franklin’s death in August, plans were changed and the network decided to devote the season to Franklin. According to Deadline, the “Mary Shelley story remains in consideration for future installments of the anthology series.”

The news was announced by the network during its TCA panel. It was also announced that Pulitzer-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks will serve as executive producer and showrunner for the upcoming season.

“Aretha Franklin had the ability to empower generations through her iconic music, and I’m excited to finally be able to tell her story, a career passion of mine. All through her life she used her voice to elevate people and the causes she believed in, especially the women’s and civil rights movements,” executive producer  Brian Grazer said in a statement. “You can hear the hopes and sorrows of a divided nation in her soulful voice, penetrating and motivating people at their core in a deeply emotional way. She cut through the pain of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination to help heal and unite America with her music and, in the process, ushered in the post-gospel era of rhythm and blues. We’re so grateful she shared her genius with the world.”

Filming on the Franklin-centered Genius season is set to begin this summer. Genius: Aretha Franklin is expected to premiere in 2020. 

The post Next Season of Nat Geo’s “Genius” to Center on Aretha Franklin appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Neon has acquired the North American rights to the late iconic singer’s documentary, Amazing Grace. The 1972 concert was shot by Sydney Pollack at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. It chronicles Franklin’s return to gospel at the age of 29.

The news comes one month after the movie premiered at DOC NYC. According to Variety, the film was originally planned by Warner Bros. Pictures as a companion documentary to the double live album of the same title.

Sabrina Owens, Franklin’s niece and personal representative of the Aretha Franklin Estate, said in a statement: “Amazing Grace is the heart and soul of Aretha Franklin. This film is authentic and is my aunt to her core. Our family couldn’t be more excited for audiences to experience the genius of her work and spirit through this film.”

According to the outlet, Neon is now planning an early 2019 theatrical release.

The post Aretha Franklin Documentary Bought by Neon appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Aretha Franklin passed away on the 16th of August at the age of 76 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

In the week leading up to her funeral, the body of the Detroit native was made available for public viewing at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History.

The funeral itself took place at the Greater Grace Temple where stars such as Ariana Grande, Fantasia, and Faith Hill performed tributes to the late icon who was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.

Aretha was eulogized by former US President, Bill Clinton, who described himself and his wife Hilary as “groupies”.

The “Respect” singer had performed at Clinton’s inauguration as President in 1993, with the statesman saying, “She lived with faith. Not without failure, but overcoming her failures. She lived with power. Not without weakness, but overcoming her weaknesses. She took the talent, and the family, and decided to be the composer of her own life song. And what a song it turned out to be.”

Stevie Wonder also paid tribute, stating that “Through the pain, she gave us the joy and said let’s make love great again,” before playing out the funeral by dedicating his song, I’ll Be Loving You Aways, to Aretha.

Across the pond, the Band of Welsh Guards at Buckingham Palace played a rendition of Respect whilst changing the guard.

The post Aretha Franklin Laid to Rest appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Loved ones of Aretha Franklin are believed to have gathered at her Detroit home, where she is said to be “gravely ill”.

During their On The Run II tour performance in Detroit, Beyoncé and Jay Z dedicated their concert to the 76-year-old.

After performing the opening song with Jay-Z, Beyoncé said: “This show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin,” while also saying, “We love you and thank you” #OTII #Detroit

— Ford Field (@fordfield) August 14, 2018

“This show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin. We love you and thank you,” declared the Lemonade singer.

Other stars have also sent their well-wishes, including Mariah Carey:

Praying for the Queen of Soul #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/5cfNPrQrq3

— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) August 13, 2018

LaToya Jackson who recently lost her father:

My Prayers to Aretha Franklin and her family! It's been reported that the Queen of Soul is gravely ill!
Continued prayers to you! pic.twitter.com/2jCBi2VfM4

— La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) August 13, 2018

And Missy Elliot:

My prayers are with Aretha Franklin & her family during this difficult time LOOK BELOW @ what I tweeted at the top of the year we MUST CELEBRATE the Living Legends while they are here to see it. So many have given us decades of Timeless music… https://t.co/VVacLxcMSI

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 13, 2018

Aretha, we are saying a little prayer for you.

The post Thoughts are with Aretha Franklin appeared first on EverydayKoala.

MGM studios picked up the project and will finance it, while the role of executive producers will be taken by Straight Outta Compton‘s Scott Bernstein and music producer Harvey Mason Jr. who collaborated with Franklin during her career. Hudson and Mason Jr. previously also worked together on the film Dreamgirls, for which Hudson received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Jennifer Hudson rose to fame after participating in the third season of American Idol. She then landed the role of Effie White in Dreamgirls, delivering a critically acclaimed performance which brought her roles in movies like Sex and the City, Winnie Mandela, and Monster. Hudson found success in the music world as well, with her debut album Jennifer Hudson receiving a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. She obviously has the talent required for the role of Aretha Franklin.

Aretha Franklin is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 75 million records sold during her 60 years long career. She won a total of 18 Grammy Award including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994 and was also the first performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Franklin recorded 41 studio albums, with 2014s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics, on which she covered ten famous female artist songs, being most recent one.

The post Jennifer Hudson to Play Aretha Franklin in Upcoming Biopic appeared first on EverydayKoala.

The new trailer debuted during the virtual BET Awards. It shows Hudson taking on the role of the Queen of Soul, hitting all the right notes, and delivering a couple of memorable lines—including “You have to disturb the peace when you can’t get no peace.”

Aretha Franklin hand-picked Jennifer Hudson to play her before passing away in 2018. The Oscar-winning actress told Sunday Today that her only goal is to honor the famous singer, and that’s she’s hoping she’ll make her proud and do her justice.

After several delays, Respect is expected to premiere on December 25th. It will also star Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Queen Latifah, and Mary J. Blige

The post Jennifer Hudson Channels Aretha Franklin in New “Respect” Trailer appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Hudson announced she wrapped the production on Respect by sharing a photo from the set, and describing how important this project is to her.

“Too overwhelmed to get into it right now but words can’t express how grateful I am to be chosen by the queen herself and to live out yet another dream! It was my honor, to honor the Queen’s request!” wrote the actress on Instagram.

In addition to being handpicked by the Queen of Soul herself to play her in a biopic, Jennifer Hudson also sang the timeless hit “Amazing Grace” at Franklin’s funeral in 2018.

Respect is scheduled to come out on October 9th, and it will also star Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, and Mary J. Blige.

The post Jennifer Hudson Reflects on Playing Aretha Franklin appeared first on EverydayKoala.

National Geographic will bring back this series on May 25th, and the new season will follow Franklin’s journey to building a successful career in the music industry and leaving behind countless timeless songs that influenced music and culture around the world.

Erivo is no stranger to portraying important historical figures. She recently scored an Oscar nomination for her role in the Harriet Tubman biopic. She also won a Grammy and Tony awards for her work in musical theater, so she’ll have no trouble performing Franklin’s biggest hits.

“Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a little girl. Her strength, passion, and soul are evident in her everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon,” said the actress in a statement.

The post Cynthia Erivo is Aretha Franklin in New “Genius” Teaser appeared first on EverydayKoala.

While it was originally believed that Aretha Franklin has no will, not one, but three have now been discovered, one of which was behind the sofa cushions.

The Queen of Soul passed away in August of last year at the age of 76. Nine months after her death, the niece of the “Say a Little Prayer for You” singer, Sabrina Owens, has found a will dated 2014 in a notebook underneath some couch cushions. Another two handwritten wills, dated 2010, were also located in a locked cabinet.

Owens filed the documents in court on May 20th, with their validity to be examined at a hearing on the 12th of June.

According to the documents, the late music icon requested her son, Kecalf Franklin, serve as the estate’s personal representative, as opposed to Owens who currently holds the position.

The post Aretha Franklin’s Will has been Discovered appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Season Three of Nat Geo’s Emmy-nominated scripted anthology will be based on the life and career of the Queen of Soul. The first two seasons centered on Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, which means the forthcoming season will mark the first time the series will center on a woman.

The upcoming season was initially planned to feature author Mary Shelley, however, following Franklin’s death in August, plans were changed and the network decided to devote the season to Franklin. According to Deadline, the “Mary Shelley story remains in consideration for future installments of the anthology series.”

The news was announced by the network during its TCA panel. It was also announced that Pulitzer-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks will serve as executive producer and showrunner for the upcoming season.

“Aretha Franklin had the ability to empower generations through her iconic music, and I’m excited to finally be able to tell her story, a career passion of mine. All through her life she used her voice to elevate people and the causes she believed in, especially the women’s and civil rights movements,” executive producer  Brian Grazer said in a statement. “You can hear the hopes and sorrows of a divided nation in her soulful voice, penetrating and motivating people at their core in a deeply emotional way. She cut through the pain of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination to help heal and unite America with her music and, in the process, ushered in the post-gospel era of rhythm and blues. We’re so grateful she shared her genius with the world.”

Filming on the Franklin-centered Genius season is set to begin this summer. Genius: Aretha Franklin is expected to premiere in 2020. 

The post Next Season of Nat Geo’s “Genius” to Center on Aretha Franklin appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Neon has acquired the North American rights to the late iconic singer’s documentary, Amazing Grace. The 1972 concert was shot by Sydney Pollack at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. It chronicles Franklin’s return to gospel at the age of 29.

The news comes one month after the movie premiered at DOC NYC. According to Variety, the film was originally planned by Warner Bros. Pictures as a companion documentary to the double live album of the same title.

Sabrina Owens, Franklin’s niece and personal representative of the Aretha Franklin Estate, said in a statement: “Amazing Grace is the heart and soul of Aretha Franklin. This film is authentic and is my aunt to her core. Our family couldn’t be more excited for audiences to experience the genius of her work and spirit through this film.”

According to the outlet, Neon is now planning an early 2019 theatrical release.

The post Aretha Franklin Documentary Bought by Neon appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Aretha Franklin passed away on the 16th of August at the age of 76 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

In the week leading up to her funeral, the body of the Detroit native was made available for public viewing at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History.

The funeral itself took place at the Greater Grace Temple where stars such as Ariana Grande, Fantasia, and Faith Hill performed tributes to the late icon who was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.

Aretha was eulogized by former US President, Bill Clinton, who described himself and his wife Hilary as “groupies”.

The “Respect” singer had performed at Clinton’s inauguration as President in 1993, with the statesman saying, “She lived with faith. Not without failure, but overcoming her failures. She lived with power. Not without weakness, but overcoming her weaknesses. She took the talent, and the family, and decided to be the composer of her own life song. And what a song it turned out to be.”

Stevie Wonder also paid tribute, stating that “Through the pain, she gave us the joy and said let’s make love great again,” before playing out the funeral by dedicating his song, I’ll Be Loving You Aways, to Aretha.

Across the pond, the Band of Welsh Guards at Buckingham Palace played a rendition of Respect whilst changing the guard.

The post Aretha Franklin Laid to Rest appeared first on EverydayKoala.

Loved ones of Aretha Franklin are believed to have gathered at her Detroit home, where she is said to be “gravely ill”.

During their On The Run II tour performance in Detroit, Beyoncé and Jay Z dedicated their concert to the 76-year-old.

After performing the opening song with Jay-Z, Beyoncé said: “This show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin,” while also saying, “We love you and thank you” #OTII #Detroit

— Ford Field (@fordfield) August 14, 2018

“This show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin. We love you and thank you,” declared the Lemonade singer.

Other stars have also sent their well-wishes, including Mariah Carey:

Praying for the Queen of Soul #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/5cfNPrQrq3

— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) August 13, 2018

LaToya Jackson who recently lost her father:

My Prayers to Aretha Franklin and her family! It's been reported that the Queen of Soul is gravely ill!
Continued prayers to you! pic.twitter.com/2jCBi2VfM4

— La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) August 13, 2018

And Missy Elliot:

My prayers are with Aretha Franklin & her family during this difficult time LOOK BELOW @ what I tweeted at the top of the year we MUST CELEBRATE the Living Legends while they are here to see it. So many have given us decades of Timeless music… https://t.co/VVacLxcMSI

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 13, 2018

Aretha, we are saying a little prayer for you.

The post Thoughts are with Aretha Franklin appeared first on EverydayKoala.

MGM studios picked up the project and will finance it, while the role of executive producers will be taken by Straight Outta Compton‘s Scott Bernstein and music producer Harvey Mason Jr. who collaborated with Franklin during her career. Hudson and Mason Jr. previously also worked together on the film Dreamgirls, for which Hudson received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Jennifer Hudson rose to fame after participating in the third season of American Idol. She then landed the role of Effie White in Dreamgirls, delivering a critically acclaimed performance which brought her roles in movies like Sex and the City, Winnie Mandela, and Monster. Hudson found success in the music world as well, with her debut album Jennifer Hudson receiving a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. She obviously has the talent required for the role of Aretha Franklin.

Aretha Franklin is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 75 million records sold during her 60 years long career. She won a total of 18 Grammy Award including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994 and was also the first performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Franklin recorded 41 studio albums, with 2014s Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics, on which she covered ten famous female artist songs, being most recent one.

The post Jennifer Hudson to Play Aretha Franklin in Upcoming Biopic appeared first on EverydayKoala.