After talks of Halle Berry as the leading actress for the highly anticipated bio-pic and swirling whispers of Fantasia or possibly Jennifer Hudson, multiple GRAMMY® Award-winner Aretha Franklin sees Audra McDonald as a strong contender to play the Queen of Soul in an upcoming film. During a recent visit to New York City, Franklin attended Broadway’s Porgy and Bess. It was Franklin’s first time seeing McDonald’s on the Great White Way. She was very impressed with her performance and expressed an interest in her for the role.
Audra McDonald is an award-winning television and stage actor who has won four Tony® awards and two Emmy awards. McDonald has starred in ABC’s Private Practice, and in Broadway musicals such as A Raisin in the Sun, Ragtime, Carousel and Master Class. A classical trained singer, she has performed in concerts with the New York Philharmonic and many others.
Franklin is continuing discussions with Hollywood executives and hopes to wrap up negotiations on the film in the coming months. She is not currently in negotiations with McDonald for the starring role in a bio-pic about Franklin. Last month, Franklin celebrated her 70th birthday at a dinner party in New York. She recently received TV Land’s Music Icon Award.
The Think Like a Man soundtrack features new music from artists such as Jennifer Hudson & Ne-Yo, John Legend and Kelly Rowland in addition to tracks from Epic artists, Future, Marcus Canty, Brandon Hines and Billy Wes.
Check out the new video for “Think Like A Man” from Jennifer Hudson and Ne-Yo featuring Rick Ross from the movie Think Like A Man–due for release in theatres in April.
Listen to “Think Like A Man” by Jennifer Hudson featuring Ne-Yo and Rick Ross from the soundtrack to the upcoming movie Think Like A Man, due in theatres March 9.
Hope For Haiti Now, the telethon and organization put together by George Clooney and MTV has raised over $58 million dollars for the Haiti relief effort to date. All of the songs from the broadcast are available on iTunes (Hope For Haiti Now album) and it is currently #1 in 21 countries around the world. All proceeds will benefit the victims of the earthquake.
This was a great use of influence, technology and talent by all parties in coming together to make this event a tremendous success. Please continue to donate to the organization of your choice, as the need will be present for years to come. You can check out some of the clips from the event after the break.
Jennifer Hudson came through Atlanta’s Fox Theater last night with Robin Thicke, and surprise guests Fantasia and Jennifer Holliday. The tour is receiving rave reviews across the country, with the ATL show apparently being one of the best.
Check out the clips below for a taste of Jennifer and Fantasia killin’ it. If you’ve had a chance to catch the tour, let us know what you thought about it. Check out more, including a Dreamgirls performance from the 1982 Tony’s after the jump and “the Jennifers” performing together.
Congratulations to Jennifer Hudson on winning her first Grammy, her powerful Grammy performance and equally stirring rendition of the National Anthem at the Superbowl. From her self titled, Grammy award winning debut album…..
“If This Isn’t Love” (Brian Seals, Terry Thomas, Theron M. Thomas), Arista/2008
