(The following post contains Spoilers for the Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect”)
The new Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” shows the Queen of Soul grappling with fame, fortune, finding the right note at the start of her career and everything that followed. But it offers little clarity around one of the most poignant parts of her young life – Franklin’s becoming pregnant as a young girl, whether willingly or otherwise.
In the opening of the film directed by Liesl Tommy, we meet a 10-year-old Aretha (played by 12-year-old Skye Dakota Turner) whose preacher father (Forest Whitaker) brings her downstairs to a party full of famous people and asks her to sing for everybody.
In a later party scene, with the clearly pre-pubescent Aretha preparing to go to sleep in her bedroom, an unnamed man enters, closes the door and says that he’ll be her “boyfriend.” Later, we see the little girl in silhouette,...
The new Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” shows the Queen of Soul grappling with fame, fortune, finding the right note at the start of her career and everything that followed. But it offers little clarity around one of the most poignant parts of her young life – Franklin’s becoming pregnant as a young girl, whether willingly or otherwise.
In the opening of the film directed by Liesl Tommy, we meet a 10-year-old Aretha (played by 12-year-old Skye Dakota Turner) whose preacher father (Forest Whitaker) brings her downstairs to a party full of famous people and asks her to sing for everybody.
In a later party scene, with the clearly pre-pubescent Aretha preparing to go to sleep in her bedroom, an unnamed man enters, closes the door and says that he’ll be her “boyfriend.” Later, we see the little girl in silhouette,...
- 8/13/2021
- by Aarohi Sheth and Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The official trailer and poster for Respect, the biopic of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, have been released.
The film from MGM Pictures in association with Bron Creative and One Community arrives August 13 in theaters and stars Jennifer Hudson as Franklin. The story follows her rise from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to international superstardom.
Also on board for the film are Forest Whitaker as C.L. Franklin, Marlon Wayans as Ted White, Audra McDonald as Barbara Franklin, Tituss Burgess asReverend Dr. James Cleveland, Marc Maron as Jerry Wexler, Kimberly Scott as Mama Franklin, Saycon Sengbloh as Erma Franklin, Hailey Kilgore asCarolyn Franklin, Heather Headley as Clara Ward, Skye Dakota Turner as Young Aretha Franklin, Tate Donovan as John Hammond, and Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington.
Director Liesl Tommy makes her feature film debut with Respect. Tommy is the first Black woman nominated for a...
The film from MGM Pictures in association with Bron Creative and One Community arrives August 13 in theaters and stars Jennifer Hudson as Franklin. The story follows her rise from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to international superstardom.
Also on board for the film are Forest Whitaker as C.L. Franklin, Marlon Wayans as Ted White, Audra McDonald as Barbara Franklin, Tituss Burgess asReverend Dr. James Cleveland, Marc Maron as Jerry Wexler, Kimberly Scott as Mama Franklin, Saycon Sengbloh as Erma Franklin, Hailey Kilgore asCarolyn Franklin, Heather Headley as Clara Ward, Skye Dakota Turner as Young Aretha Franklin, Tate Donovan as John Hammond, and Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington.
Director Liesl Tommy makes her feature film debut with Respect. Tommy is the first Black woman nominated for a...
- 5/19/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The Queen of Soul finds her voice in the new trailer for Respect, the Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson that arrives in theaters this August.
The first full preview for the Liesl Tommy-directed film opens with a young Franklin showcasing her gospel talents at the piano. “Singing is sacred, and you shouldn’t do it just because somebody wants you to,” her mother tells her. “What’s most important is that you are treated with dignity and respect.”
The trailer also focuses on the birth of Franklin’s Otis Redding-penned hit “Respect,...
The first full preview for the Liesl Tommy-directed film opens with a young Franklin showcasing her gospel talents at the piano. “Singing is sacred, and you shouldn’t do it just because somebody wants you to,” her mother tells her. “What’s most important is that you are treated with dignity and respect.”
The trailer also focuses on the birth of Franklin’s Otis Redding-penned hit “Respect,...
- 5/19/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
R-e-s-p-e-c-t for National Geographic, which set the premiere date for “Genius: Aretha” Tuesday and dropped the trailer for the pandemic-delayed season of the anthology, which stars Cynthia Erivo in the title role.
In the trailer, which you can view above, Erivo’s Aretha Franklin is crowned the “Queen of Soul” and spends much of the two-minute video trying to maintain hold of that title while others set out to bring her down.
Nat Geo revealed Tuesday during its day at the virtual Television Critics Association press tour that “Genius: Aretha,” which has suffered multiple production delays over the last year due to Covid-19, will air as a four-night event series beginning Sunday, March 21, at 9/8c. The eight episodes of the season will air in pairs of two, with all available to stream on Hulu by Thursday, March 25.
“Genius: Aretha” will explore “Aretha Franklin’s musical genius and incomparable career, as...
In the trailer, which you can view above, Erivo’s Aretha Franklin is crowned the “Queen of Soul” and spends much of the two-minute video trying to maintain hold of that title while others set out to bring her down.
Nat Geo revealed Tuesday during its day at the virtual Television Critics Association press tour that “Genius: Aretha,” which has suffered multiple production delays over the last year due to Covid-19, will air as a four-night event series beginning Sunday, March 21, at 9/8c. The eight episodes of the season will air in pairs of two, with all available to stream on Hulu by Thursday, March 25.
“Genius: Aretha” will explore “Aretha Franklin’s musical genius and incomparable career, as...
- 2/9/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Jennifer Hudson channels Aretha Franklin in the first teaser trailer for the upcoming biopic of the late Queen of Soul “Respect,” which debuted Sunday during the BET Awards ceremony.
The film, directed by Tony-nominated director Liesl Tommy in her feature film debut, follows the rise of Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church choir to her international superstardom.
In addition to Hudson, the film also stars Forest Whitaker as her Baptist minister father C.L. Franklin, Audra McDonald as her mother, Barbara Franklin, Marlon Wayans as her first husband, Ted White, Marc Maron as music producer Jerry Wexler, Tituss Burgess as gospel music legend James Cleveland, Saycon Sengbloh as sister Erma Franklin, Hailey Kilgore as Carolyn Franklin, Heather Headley as gospel singer Clara Ward, Skye Dakota Turner as young Aretha, Tate Donovan as record producer John Hammond and Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington.
Also Read:...
The film, directed by Tony-nominated director Liesl Tommy in her feature film debut, follows the rise of Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church choir to her international superstardom.
In addition to Hudson, the film also stars Forest Whitaker as her Baptist minister father C.L. Franklin, Audra McDonald as her mother, Barbara Franklin, Marlon Wayans as her first husband, Ted White, Marc Maron as music producer Jerry Wexler, Tituss Burgess as gospel music legend James Cleveland, Saycon Sengbloh as sister Erma Franklin, Hailey Kilgore as Carolyn Franklin, Heather Headley as gospel singer Clara Ward, Skye Dakota Turner as young Aretha, Tate Donovan as record producer John Hammond and Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington.
Also Read:...
- 6/29/2020
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
The first full trailer for MGM’s “Respect,” the upcoming Aretha Franklin starring vocal powerhouse Jennifer Hudson as the Queen of Soul, has arrived. The preview dropped Sunday night following Hudson’s performance at the BET Awards, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.
The film directed by Liesl Tommy was originally slated to open in theaters October 9, but was pushed to a limited Christmas Day debut, to be followed by an expansion kicking off January 8 and a wide opening on January 15, timed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Expect a major awards play for star Hudson, who previously won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her scene-stealing turn in the musical “Dreamgirls.” Watch the trailer for “Respect” below.
The film charts the highs and lows of Franklin’s life and career. She began as a young gospel singer in Detroit and became a smash success after signing...
The film directed by Liesl Tommy was originally slated to open in theaters October 9, but was pushed to a limited Christmas Day debut, to be followed by an expansion kicking off January 8 and a wide opening on January 15, timed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Expect a major awards play for star Hudson, who previously won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her scene-stealing turn in the musical “Dreamgirls.” Watch the trailer for “Respect” below.
The film charts the highs and lows of Franklin’s life and career. She began as a young gospel singer in Detroit and became a smash success after signing...
- 6/29/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
T.I. is set to recur on Genius: Aretha, the next installment of Nat Geo’s popular anthology from Imagine Television and Fox 21 TV Studios that stars Cynthia Erivo as the Queen of Soul.
Antonique Smith and Tina Fears also have joined the project as recurring, while Ethan Henry is set to guest star as Mlk, Jr. Most of the castings happened just before Genius: Aretha, like every other TV series and movies in production, shut down a week and a half ago over the escalating coronavirus-related health crisis.
More from DeadlineCoronavirus: Disney TV Studios Shuts Down Production On 'Genius: Aretha', Postpones Filming On All PilotsNat Geo's 'Genius: Aretha' Team Unpacks The Genius Of The Legendary Singer - TCA'Genius: Aretha': Nat Geo Series Adds Seven To Cast
Additionally, on what would’ve been Aretha Franklin’s 78th birthday today, March 25, Nat Geo released a new image from the show featuring Erivo as the music legend.
Antonique Smith and Tina Fears also have joined the project as recurring, while Ethan Henry is set to guest star as Mlk, Jr. Most of the castings happened just before Genius: Aretha, like every other TV series and movies in production, shut down a week and a half ago over the escalating coronavirus-related health crisis.
More from DeadlineCoronavirus: Disney TV Studios Shuts Down Production On 'Genius: Aretha', Postpones Filming On All PilotsNat Geo's 'Genius: Aretha' Team Unpacks The Genius Of The Legendary Singer - TCA'Genius: Aretha': Nat Geo Series Adds Seven To Cast
Additionally, on what would’ve been Aretha Franklin’s 78th birthday today, March 25, Nat Geo released a new image from the show featuring Erivo as the music legend.
- 3/25/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
As the world mourns the loss of music icon Aretha Franklin, those closest to the star have shared details of her "tough childhood," early motherhood, and years of "silent suffering" later in life. During her early years in Buffalo, NY and later Detroit, Mi, Aretha witnessed her parents' tumultuous marriage and later breakup over her father, Baptist minister and circuit preacher C. L. Franklin's philandering. When she was just nine years old, Aretha's mother, Barbara Franklin, passed away from a heart attack, leaving the young singer and her five siblings to be cared for by other relatives. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) Then, when Aretha was a mere 12 years old, she gave birth to her first child, son Clarence Franklin, in January 1955. According to reports, Clarence's father was Donald Burk, a boy that Aretha knew from school. At age 14, Aretha welcomed her second child, son Edward Franklin, with Edward Jordan. "She had a tough childhood.
- 8/17/2018
- by Julia Birkinbine
- Closer Weekly
The world may have lost one of the greatest musical artists of all time, but we have no doubt that Aretha Franklin's legacy will be honored and celebrated for years to come. You can probably belt out (or at least attempt) all of Aretha's greatest hits: "Respect," "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman," and "Think," among countless others. You may even know she began her career singing gospel at the church where her father was the minister. But do you know where the Queen of Soul's story actually began?
Related: 35 Essential Aretha Franklin Songs You Should Listen to Today
Born in Memphis, Tn, in 1942, Aretha was the fourth child of Clarence Lavaughn and Barbara Franklin, though both had children from outside their marriage. Her father - better known as C.L. - was a preacher from Mississippi, while her mother was a talented singer and piano player.
Related: 35 Essential Aretha Franklin Songs You Should Listen to Today
Born in Memphis, Tn, in 1942, Aretha was the fourth child of Clarence Lavaughn and Barbara Franklin, though both had children from outside their marriage. Her father - better known as C.L. - was a preacher from Mississippi, while her mother was a talented singer and piano player.
- 8/16/2018
- by Corinne Sullivan
- Popsugar.com
The Louisiana man accused of fatally shooting former NFL running back Joe McKnight was indicted Thursday for second-degree murder, People confirms.
If convicted, Ronald Gasser, 55, will receive a mandatory life sentence, according to a news release from Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr.
Gasser allegedly admitted to fatally shooting McKnight — who played three seasons with the New York Jets and one with the Kansas City Chiefs — in what authorities describe as a road rage incident in New Orleans last Dec. 5.
• Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage...
If convicted, Ronald Gasser, 55, will receive a mandatory life sentence, according to a news release from Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr.
Gasser allegedly admitted to fatally shooting McKnight — who played three seasons with the New York Jets and one with the Kansas City Chiefs — in what authorities describe as a road rage incident in New Orleans last Dec. 5.
• Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage...
- 2/3/2017
- by Chris Harris
- PEOPLE.com
Sheriff Brings Up Trump and Black-on-Black Crime While Defending Joe McKnight Shooting Investigation
In a fiery and bizarre 50-minute news conference Tuesday morning, the Louisiana sheriff investigating the shooting death of former NFL player Joe McKnight held forth at length about the criticism his department has faced; about race relations and “black-on-black” crime; and what he called the shameful behavior of some witnesses and the public.
The remarks — nominally focused on a recent arrest in McKnight’s death — swerved passionately and erratically among many topics. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand appeared visibly angry as he defended authorities from criticism. At one point he described the actions of both the suspect and victim as “bad behavior.
The remarks — nominally focused on a recent arrest in McKnight’s death — swerved passionately and erratically among many topics. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand appeared visibly angry as he defended authorities from criticism. At one point he described the actions of both the suspect and victim as “bad behavior.
- 12/6/2016
- by skhelling
- PEOPLE.com
Relatives of Joe McKnight, the former NFL player who was shot and killed Thursday in what investigators have described as a road rage altercation, say they are finding strength through prayer.
“We’re holding on by the grace of God, we’re holding on,” Barbara Franklin, McKnight’s grandmother, tells People. “God’s going to bring justice, and we’re going to continue to pray on one accord, justice.”
McKnight was fatally shot by Robert Gasser Thursday afternoon in New Orleans after an apparent road rage incident, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said at a news conference on Friday. Gasser...
“We’re holding on by the grace of God, we’re holding on,” Barbara Franklin, McKnight’s grandmother, tells People. “God’s going to bring justice, and we’re going to continue to pray on one accord, justice.”
McKnight was fatally shot by Robert Gasser Thursday afternoon in New Orleans after an apparent road rage incident, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said at a news conference on Friday. Gasser...
- 12/6/2016
- by harrietsokmensuer
- PEOPLE.com
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