Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson stunned in a purple-sequin gown at the premiere of Respect at the Regency Village Theatre in LA’s Westwood neighborhood on Sunday.
The Chicago-born 39-year-old hit the black carpet in a strapless creation featuring a side slit and Christian Louboutin heels selected by her styling duo Wayman + Micah.
Jennifer’s show-stopping dress featured a dramatic sequin train spanning over six feet long.
Sparkle time! Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson stunned in a purple-sequin gown at the premiere of Respect at the Regency Village Theatre in LA’s Westwood neighborhood on Sunday
Make-up artist Adam Burrell brought out Hudson’s natural beauty and brought out her brown eyes with lashes and liner.
Hairstylist Kiyah Wright coiffed the Cats actress’ sleek side-parted updo and attached floor-length chiffon to the back of her faux bun.
Jennifer’s chiffon was also attached to her left arm, which she enjoyed fanning out while posing for the lensmen.
Hudson fully embodied the Queen of Soul and even sang live on set in the fully-authorized biopic, which hits US theaters this Friday and UK theaters September 10.
Werrrk! The Chicago-born 39-year-old hit the black carpet in a strapless creation featuring a side slit and Christian Louboutin heels selected by her styling duo Wayman + Micah
What a drag! Jennifer’s show-stopping dress featured a dramatic sequin train spanning over six feet long
Ready for her close-up: Make-up artist Adam Burrell brought out Hudson’s natural beauty and brought out her brown eyes with lashes and liner
Elegant: Hairstylist Kiyah Wright coiffed the Cats actress’ sleek side-parted updo and attached floor-length chiffon to the back of her faux bun
Elaborate: Jennifer’s chiffon was also attached to her left arm, which she enjoyed fanning out while posing for the lensmen
The $55M-budget movie centers on Aretha’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to international superstardom.
‘She’s still with me, almost every day in some way,’ the two-time Grammy winner – who had 80 wardrobe changes – told Variety last week.
‘Sometimes, coming off of the film, while taking pictures with someone, I’m like, “Oh wow, I’m smiling like Aretha.” Or “That response was more Aretha-like.” You identify little things like that in yourself that are still there. Or, a lot of my own personal wardrobe now is things that resemble things that she would wear — a lot of fluffy, furry little jackets with leopard prints and things like that.’
Jennifer continued: ‘Those things helped me embody character at times, because clothing can make you feel like the character you’re portraying. And I still do the piano [after learning it for the film]. I’m still trying to master it. And guess what? The song I can play the most is Natural Woman so far.’
‘Her voice changed everything’: Hudson fully embodied the Queen of Soul and even sang live on set in the fully-authorized biopic, which hits US theaters this Friday and UK theaters September 10
‘She’s still with me, almost every day in some way’: The $55M-budget movie centers on Aretha’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to international superstardom
The real deal: The two-time Grammy winner – who sang at Aretha’s funeral – was handpicked by the 18-time Grammy winner (R), who died age 76 in 2018 at her Detroit home from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
Jennifer – who boasts 17.2M social media followers – posted on Sunday: ‘In honor of premiere day! This is the first time I met @arethafranklin in 2004. I got to open her show that night! I’ll never forget it’
Hudson – who sang at Aretha’s funeral – was handpicked by the 18-time Grammy winner, who died age 76 in 2018 at her Detroit home from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.
‘In honor of premiere day! This is the first time I met @arethafranklin in 2004,’ the American Idol 3 alum – who boasts 17.2M social media followers – posted on Sunday.
‘I got to open her show that night! I’ll never forget it. Thank [you] @jeremylawsonphotography for capturing this life changing moment.’
Joining Jennifer for the festivities was her 11-year-old son David Daniel Otunga, Jr. wearing a short black suit with high-top sneakers.
Her date! Joining Hudson for the festivities was her 11-year-old son David Daniel Otunga, Jr. wearing a short black suit with high-top sneakers
Legacy: David is the American Idol 3 alum’s only child from her decade-long romance with ex-fiancé David Otunga, which ended in 2017
At the helm: Jennifer also posed with filmmaker Liesl Tommy (L), who made her directorial debut with Respect
Catching up: The Tony winner previously helmed episodes of Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, Jessica Jones, and The Walking Dead
HBIC: Jennifer is next scheduled to put her three-octave mezzo-soprano pipes to good use on August 19 at The Apollo Theater in Manhattan
David is Hudson’s only child from her decade-long romance with ex-fiancé David Otunga, which ended in 2017.
The Oh Santa! songstress also posed with filmmaker Liesl Tommy, who made her directorial debut with Respect.
The Tony winner previously helmed episodes of Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, Jessica Jones, and The Walking Dead.
Jennifer is next scheduled to put her three-octave mezzo-soprano pipes to good use on August 19 at The Apollo Theater in Manhattan.
‘He ready!’ Also attending the Respect premiere was Marlon Wayans looking sleek in a three-piece black suit and gleaming white sneakers
Far cry from White Chicks! The 49-year-old comedian portrays Franklin’s first husband Ted White, whom she married at age 19 (pictured in 2019)
Broadway baby: Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald – who plays Aretha’s mother Barbara – struck a pose in a beige cut-out pencil dress and floral pumps
Gentlemen: Also suited up were Emmy winner Tate Donovan (L) and comedian Marc Maron (R), who portray music producers John Hammond and Jerry Wexler, respectively
Also attending the Respect premiere was Marlon Wayans looking sleek in a three-piece black suit and gleaming white sneakers.
The 49-year-old comedian portrays Franklin’s first husband Ted White, whom she married at age 19.
Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald – who plays Aretha’s mother Barbara – struck a pose in a beige cut-out pencil dress and floral pumps.
Also suited up were Emmy winner Tate Donovan and comedian Marc Maron, who portray music producers John Hammond and Jerry Wexler, respectively.