The movie premiere of RESPECT took place Sunday, August 8th in Westwood, California. Jennifer Hudson who portrays Aretha Franklin was on hand to lead the star-studded premiere. Aretha Franklin herself hand-picked Hudson to portray her in the biopic.
Celebrating the legacy of Aretha Franklin with Hudson was director Liesl Tommy and co-stars Marlon Wayans, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Audra McDonald, Tate Donovan, Hailey Kilgore, Saycon Sengbloh, Skye Dakota Turner, Loric Collins screenwriter Tracey Scott Wilson, producers Scott Bernstein, Jonathan Glickman and Stacey Sher, and more
Other guests included Timbaland, Jennifer Holliday, Debbie Allen, Michael K. Williams, Tori Kelly, Derek Hough, Jordin Sparks, Tinashe, Anthony Hamilton, Roma Downey and Mark Burnett.
After the premiere, attendees celebrated outside, complete with food trucks and music from Donald Taylor and the LA Mass Choir. Aretha Franklin’s granddaughter Grace Franklin graced the audience with her grandmother’s favorite song, “Ain’t No Way,” and Aretha’s son Edward Franklin sang “My Girl.”
Check out some photos from the event below.
