Jennifer Hudson will be honored at the Palm Springs International Film Awards with a distinguished award.
The Respect actress, 40, will get the festival’s highest prize, the Chairman’s Award, for her “legendary performance” as Aretha Franklin and her “phenomenal acting and singing talents” in the singer’s biography.
Harold Matzner, the festival’s chairman said: “In Respect, Jennifer Hudson brings to life Aretha Franklin’s rise from childhood gospel singer to international star. Hudson transforms into the Queen of Soul singing her heart out in this legendary performance. It is our honor to recognize Jennifer Hudson’s phenomenal acting and singing talents with the Chairman’s Award.”
Hudson received an award at the festival in 2007 for her Oscar-nominated performance in the film adaption of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Jessica Chastain, Amy Adams, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, and many more have previously received the festival’s award.
Hudson remarked of her nerves playing Franklin when the film was released in September, despite the civil rights activist handpicking her to play her in the film, which was based on Franklin’s 1967 song of the same name.
She told the NME: “Even when it was time to film, I was still freaking out in my mind about it. But because she had said, ‘I want you to play me,’ that gave me the courage to be able to get through it.”
Hudson also stated her belief that the film — that she helped produce — would leave audiences with new “respect” for Aretha.
She explained: “We all have a respect for Miss Aretha Franklin, but by the time you’re done with this film, I hope you walk away with newfound respect. When you see her humanity and all the things she overcame to prevail in life, I hope that makes you respect her even more.”
The awards will take place on Jan. 6, 2022, and the festival will commence on Jan. 17.
