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Aretha Franklin was more than just an idol for Jennifer Hudson. The Oscar-winning actress and Grammy award-winning singer shared with Ryan Seacrest she developed a special bond with the legendary singer prior to her passing in 2018.
"It still runs through my body to this day," Hudson shared of Franklin requesting she portray her in upcoming biopic Respect. "It's excitement and it's scary all at the same time. That's the ultimate task and not only that she wanted me to play her [but] it's my dream too. … That was 15 years ago when we had our first meeting about me playing her so I was like 'Oh my goodness! This is beyond a dream!' It's one thing when you get to meet some of your idols, but then for that to happen it's so beyond."
Jennifer shared she misses hearing from the icon the most.
"We would speak weekly and she was very present," she added. "She was a figure in my life so I miss that. I miss the person. … I go back in my phone and look at our messages often because I miss hearing from her."
Listen back to the full interview to hear more from Jennifer and catch Respect in theaters August 13.