Jennifer Hudson eyeing Aretha Franklin’s role in biopic

New York: US Singer Jennifer Hudson used a surprise performance on Tuesday to strengthen her chances to win a role as ‘The Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin in an upcoming film.

The 32-year-old actress/singer appeared in a short dress and sang a medley of hits by Franklin and Whitney Houston at a 125th anniversary party for the late newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. “She introduced the (Franklin) song ‘Oh Me Oh My’ and said it was her plan to portray Aretha someday,” the New York Post quoted a source, as saying. “Jennifer then asked the audience, ‘Is anyone listening?’ to imply someone in the crowd should give her that role,” she said. Franklin has mentioned a wish list of supporting actors for her life story — including Terrence Howard, Denzel Washington, Audra McDonald, Nia Long and Kerry Washington — but has not endorsed any actress to play her role, since floating Halle Berry’s name early last year. ANI