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Cynthia Erivo stars in ‘Genius: Aretha’ *(WASHINGTON, DC) Today, Double Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo (@CynthiaErivo) marked her birthday by honoring The Queen and unveiling the exclusive key art for National Geographic’s highly anticipated 8-part limited series, GENIUS: ARETHA. Erivo will star as the legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, in the third season of the Emmy award-winning global anthology […]

Jennifer Hudson stars as Aretha Franklin and Forest Whitaker as her father C.L. Franklin in RESPECT A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film — Photo credit: Quantrell D. Colbert *”Respect” is the new MGM film that covers the life of music legend Aretha Franklin. It stars Academy-Award winner Jennifer Hudson, written by “Nashville” creator Callie […]

*A nephew of R&B icon  Aretha Franklin is disputing reports that the 18-time Grammy winner has only days to live. TMZ reported Monday (Aug. 13) that sources close to the family claimed doctors informed them “today (Monday) is the day “Aretha will pass.” ” On Saturday, veteran reporter Roger Friedman first broke the news that Franklin […]

Jennifer Hudson portrays Aretha Franklin in “Respect” *There was a time in my hometown Detroit when everything seemed so magical! As I watched the movie “Respect” about the life of Aretha Franklin this past weekend, I was reminded of that space in time. Detroit, and Michigan at large, is so rich in history of […]

Detroit native Aretha Franklin sings the National Anthem prior to the start of the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings game at Ford Field on November 24, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. *In a fur coat and pom-pom hat supporting her hometown Detroit Lions, Aretha Franklin sat at a piano in Ford Field before her team’s Thanksgiving Day game […]

[…] & Dave – renowned for hits including “Soul Man,” “Hold On, I’m Comin’ ” and “I Thank You” – has written an essay remembering her majesty, the late Aretha Franklin. Moore, who first met Franklin when she was just 15-years-old, peppers his piece with lots of anecdotes recalling their longtime friendship as well as working […]

Aretha Franklin (CNN) — Here’s a look at the life of the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin. Personal Birth date: March 25, 1942 Death date: August 16, 2018 Birth place: Memphis, Tennessee Birth name: Aretha Louise Franklin Father: Rev. C. L. (Clarence LaVaughn) Franklin, minister and gospel singer Mother: Barbara (Siggers) Franklin, gospel […]

* Aretha Franklin’s family is urging fans of the Queen of Soul to boycott “Genius: Aretha,” National Geographic’s four-night limited series about the rise to fame for the late singer.  Franklin’s granddaughter Grace posted a TikTok video in which she noted that the producers refused to collaborate with Franklin’s family on the project. Her […]

The third season of National Geographic’s “Genius” will be exploring the life of the extraordinary singer, songwriter, pianist and civil rights activist, Aretha Frankli, in “Genius: Aretha.“ EUR correspondent Briana Wright spoke to the cast and crew about what the series means to them and why fans should tune in. The award-winning Suzan Lori […]

Jennifer Hudson & Aretha Franklin (Getty) *Jennifer Hudson has spoken out about her Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” competing with National Geographic’s limited series on the queen of soul. The Oscar-winning actress shared a special connection with Franklin. Before her passing in 2018, the music icon gave Hudson her blessing to play her on the […]

Aretha Franklin’s Granddaughter Grace Franklin on American Idol / screenshot *Aretha Franklin’s granddaughter served up her musical talents when she auditioned for “American Idol” during Sunday’s episode. Grace Franklin, 15, also paid tribute to her late grandmother by performing Aretha’s classic “Ain’t No Way” and the Lauryn Hill version of “Killing Me Softly,” […]

Jennifer Hudson (as Aretha) *It’s no surprise that Jennifer Hudson is showing off her dynamic vocals for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in the upcoming biopic, “Respect.”  “Jennifer Hudson, Audra MacDonald, Titus Burgess – everybody on-set have been on Broadway and are Tony-nominated. I know the power of singing live, so it was important. […]

[…] hand at last night’s MTV Video Music Awards in New York to present the final award of the night, but not before paying homage to the late Aretha Franklin. Speaking onstage in front of a huge portrait of Franklin, Madonna began telling the story of her own rags to riches journey in the music […]

 *National Geographic has dropped a teaser for their “Genius” anthology series on the life of the iconic Aretha Franklin.  Cynthia Erivo stars as the late singer in the eight-part series, that will “explore Franklin’s musical genius and incomparable career – and the immeasurable impact and lasting influence she has had on music and […]

*About a week or so ago we told you about the beef between Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick that seemed to come from out of nowhere. As we reported, Franklin told the Associated Press that Warwick “blatantly lied on me . . . fully well knowing what she was doing.” Franklin was referring to a perceived […]