“She sang for me”: Jennifer Hudson details her last phone call with Aretha Franklin before her death

Jennifer Hudson revealed details of her last phone call with close friend and song legend Aretha Franklin on Sunday before she died aged 76 in 2018.

The Spotlight hitmaker, 39, opened up to the premiere of Aretha’s upcoming biopic, Respect, in which she stars after the iconic soul singer hand-picked her.

“She sang to me on our call,” Jennifer told The Hollywood Reporter of their last conversation. “I really miss her. ”

‘She sands me’: Jennifer Hudson revealed details of her last phone call with close friend and song legend Aretha Franklin on Sunday before her death in 2018

“The last time I heard her voice was August 8,” Jennifer said. “It’s weird that we’re here again, August 8, three years later,” she said of the film’s premiere.

“Right after our conversation, they told me that she wasn’t good enough to speak anymore, but she sang to me when we called and we talked about my son and his cooking.”

“She loves to cook and so does he. I sent her a video of him cooking, “she recalls before adding fondly,” I really miss her. “

Jennifer and Aretha began making regular phone calls after Jennifer wowed the legend with her performance in the 2007 Oscar-winning film Dreamgirls.

Caption: Jennifer is slated to star in Aretha’s upcoming biopic, Respect, after the singer hand-selected her for the role before her death in 2018 at the age of 76 (Photo by Top Of The Pops)

Jennifer fully embodied the Queen of Soul and even sang live on set in the fully licensed biopic, which hits US theaters this Friday and UK theaters on September 10.

The $ 55 million budgeted film follows Aretha’s career from a child singing in her father’s church choir to international stardom.

“She’s always with me, almost every day in some way or another,” the two-time Grammy-winner – who changed 80 wardrobe changes – told Variety last week.

Energy icon: Jennifer walked the black carpet in a strapless Dolce And Gabbana creation with a side slit and Christian Louboutin heels selected by her styling duo Wayman + Micah

“Sometimes when I come out of the movie, when I take pictures with someone, I think to myself, ‘Oh wow, I smile like Aretha. Or “That answer sounded more like Aretha’s.”

“You identify little things like that in you that are still there. Or, a lot of my personal wardrobe now is made up of things that look like things she would wear – lots of little fluffy, hairy jackets with leopard prints and things like that.

Jennifer continued, “These things have sometimes helped me play the character, because the clothes can make you feel like the character you play. And I always play the piano. [after learning it for the film]. I’m still trying to control it. And guess what? The song I can play the most is Natural Woman so far. ‘

“She’s always with me, almost every day in one way or another,” the two-time Grammy winner told Variety last week (Aretha pictured in Chicago in 1992)

‘Her voice changed everything’: Hudson fully embodied the queen of soul and even sang live on set in the fully licensed biopic, which hits UK theaters on September 10th

Jennifer – who sang at Aretha’s funeral – was chosen by the 18 Grammy winner, who died at her home in Detroit from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

“In honor of the day of the premiere! This is the first time I’ve met @arethafranklin in 2004, ‘the American Idol 3 alum – who has 17.2 million social media followers – posted Sunday.

“I have to open his show that night!” I will never forget him. To thank [you] @jeremylawsonphotography for capturing this life changing moment. ‘

Jennifer – who has 17.2 million social media subscribers – posted Sunday: “In honor of premiere day! This is the first time that I meet @arethafranklin in 2004. I was able to open his show that evening! I will never forget him’