Jennifer Hudson and Carole King on Aretha Franklin, ‘Natural Woman’ and Co-Writing Original Song for ‘Respect’ – Jennifer Hudson and Carole King each have a lot to celebrate this year. King will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a performer at the next ceremony in October, after previously qualifying as a songwriter. Hudson, who won a supporting actress Oscar in 2007 for her first film role, in “Dreamgirls,” is being talked up as a serious contender in the upcoming awards races for her starring turn as Aretha Franklin in the long-awaited biopic “Respect,” which reaches theaters Aug. 13. Besides possible time spent at awards podiums in the near future, something these two artists share is having co-written an original song for “Respect” that brings something new out of their eras-spanning connections to the Queen of Soul. The end-titles theme they co-wrote with Jamie Hartman, “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home),” ties up Franklin’s story, but though they’re too humble to say so, it’s their theme, too — two greats in their own right whose paths homeward have just happened to pass through Aretha’s shadow. – Read more at Variety
Jennifer Hudson calls into the Ryan Seacrest Radio Show to Chat About Respect – “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. – On Air with Ryan Seacrest
Jennifer Hudson Talks Playing Aretha Franklin, Plus: Would She Consider a ‘Sex and the City’ Return? – “Extra’s” Rachel Lindsay spoke with Jennifer Hudson as she promoted her new film “Respect.” Along with opening up about playing legendary singer Aretha Franklin, Jennifer discussed the “Sex and the City” reboot and whether she would consider bringing back her character Louise from the first big-screen “Sex and the City” movie if asked. Watch! “Respect” is in theaters August 13. – Extra
Harper Grace to open for Nelly
Singer-songwriter Harper Grace, cut at the Top 50 on American Idol season 16 in 2018, will be the opener for Nelly on his upcoming tour. Nelly competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2020 and was the third celebrity guest to leave the competition along with his pro-partner Daniella Karagach. The tour begins on October 9 in Amarillo TX.
*
View this post on Instagram
*
Singer Olly Murs hospitalised after horrific mid-concert accident – Singer Olly Murs has been taken to hospital after injuring his leg in a horrific onstage accident. He explained that he had just had surgery after he jumped during a performance and a fragment of bone lodged itself in the back of his knee. The star told fans via his Instagram: “I am so sorry I look like a bag of sh*t this morning but I wanted to send you a message to let you know what is going on.” – News.com.au
*
View this post on Instagram
*
