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Jennifer Hudson on Competing Aretha Franklin Limited TV Series: ‘If It’s Not a Film, It’s Nothing’

Jennifer Hudson on Competing Aretha Franklin Limited TV Series: 'If It's Not a Film, It's Nothing'

Jennifer Hudson was handpicked by Ms. Aretha Franklin herself to portray the late singer in a biopic. But that’s not the only project in the works that is celebrating the life of the “Respect” singer.

Cynthia Erivo is slated to star as Franklin in the National Geographic network’s limited series Genius: Aretha.

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The TV series has an impressive team consisting of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks as the showrunner, who will also executive produce alongside Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, music mogul Clive Davis, Atlantic Records Chairman, and CEO Craig Kallman and Ken Biller of Fox 21 Television Studios and Imagine Television Studios.

But according to Hudson, Aretha wanted to be on the big screen or not at all. During a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, the Academy Award-winner said Aretha was “adamant that [her life] be a film. If it’s not a film, it’s nothing. I’m just honored that she picked me to play her. I mean, who can say that? And again, I would have never done it without her wishes.”

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In the wide-range interview, Jennifer Hudson admitted that she re-reads conversations with Aretha for inspiration.

Respect starring Hudson as Aretha also stars Forest Whitaker as Franklin’s famous father, Rev. C.L. Franklin, alongside Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige, and Marlon Wayans.

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Following a limited release on Christmas Day, the biopic will be released on January 15, 2021.

The post Jennifer Hudson on Competing Aretha Franklin Limited TV Series: ‘If It’s Not a Film, It’s Nothing’ appeared first on The Source.

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Ray J’s NSFW Confession Shares Awkward Flirt Fest with Nicki Minaj On Instagram Live

Ray J

Regarding social media dynamics, Ray J and Nicki Minaj’s collaboration is always a spectacle. Their Instagram Lives create buzzworthy moments, whether spilling tea or engaging in playful banter. However, on November 26, things escalated to new heights. Depending on how you see it, their chat took an eyebrow-raising turn as Ray J dropped a bombshell NSFW confession that left even Nicki Minaj speechless and viewers equal parts amused and utterly baffled.

It all started innocently enough, with Minaj grilling Ray J on some of their usual whirlwind of topics he made concerning Diddy. However, the conversation took a bizarre turn when Ray J decided to, quite candidly, share some details about his personal preferences. Ever the queen of comebacks, Nicki Minaj questioned his comment about “getting his groceries eaten,” asking for clarification. Specifically, he boldly confirmed his enjoyment of a certain intimate act, casually adding, “I always get in the shower before I have sex, so my ass is always gonna be clean.”*

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Nicki, caught entirely off guard by a detailed explanation she wasn’t ready for, looked simultaneously confused and horrified. Sensing her reaction was a mix of disbelief and reluctant amusement only fueled his boldness. The awkward hilarity of the moment was enough to leave fans pausing and rewinding the video clip to see every second of her visibly perplexed face wrestling whether to laugh, grill Ray J further, or log off, screaming, “Did he really just say that?”

Much to Nicki’s dismay, things took an awkward turn when Ray J pivoted the conversation into shameless flirting behavior. He gushed poetic about her beauty, suggesting that even the mere utterance of his name was enough to “turn him out.” Trying to defuse the situation, Minaj dismissed his comments, but Ray J only doubled down, biting his lip seductively on camera while complimenting her. If awkwardness were an Olympic sport, Ray J might’ve snagged the gold medal.

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Even the queen of holding her ground, Nicki quickly shut him down. “Don’t ever do that [again] in your life,” she warned sternly. After Ray J failed to rein in his antics, she delivered an ultimatum: stop, or she’d end the call. Predictably, Ray didn’t double down, his compliments flowing as freely as his earlier confessions, offering another apology laced with admiration. The rapper, clearly fed up, issued a final warning: “Stop playing like that, it won’t be the ending you want.” True to her word, Minaj promptly hung up, leaving viewers to process one of the oddest exchanges in their ongoing IG Live saga.

Throughout the chat, Nicki confidently navigated Ray J’s playful flirtations, maintaining her characteristic composure (mostly). While this may rank as their most bizarre live session to date, one thing is sure: these celebrities know how to keep people talking online, leaning into the absurdity of it all. Whether people love it or are shaken by it, fans can’t help but speculate about what unpredictable antics the duo will share next.

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Trey Songz’s Legal Woes Take a Costly Turn With Judgment To Pay A Police Officer $11 Million

Trey Songz

Once celebrated R&B superstar Trey Songz, a name synonymous with chart-topping hits and smooth vocals, now finds himself in the middle of a legal storm carrying the weight of a judgment ordering the artist to pay a staggering cost of $11 million to Tyrelle Dunn. A Las Vegas court judge ruled against the singer in a case brought by Tyrelle Dunn, a Maryland Capitol police officer, over an alleged 2021 altercation that left Dunn physically and emotionally scarred. The judgment, stemming from Songz’s non-response to the lawsuit, underscores the gravity of the allegations.

The case revolves around a harrowing 2021 incident at a Las Vegas hotel. According to Dunn, in the plaintiff’s lawsuit, his wife was escorted by the defendant’s security personnel to Songz’s hotel room 6014 under the pretense of a meeting with the artist. Once inside, she was allegedly assaulted, with her phone confiscated when she tried to leave. Hearing her screams for help, Dunn rushed to intervene while attempting to rescue his wife, only to face a violent confrontation himself. The aftermath was devastating: Dunn suffered fractures to both eye sockets and injuries to his nose, ribs, and head. He described the attack as life-altering, leaving him with lasting physical and emotional scars.

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The 911 call made by a hotel worker reveals the troubling aftermath of an incident involving a man named Dunn. The call indicated that Dunn had been “battered” and robbed of his money and chain. The seriousness of the injuries was apparent, with Dunn requiring a lengthy recovery time, which caused him to miss over a month of work. What complicates this case is its dual nature. Although singer Songz was found innocent of any criminal wrongdoing in April 2022, the civil lawsuit proceeded, ultimately leading to the default judgment. Songz’s refusal to respond or participate during the legal process effectively sealed the decision against him, raising questions about his strategy or lack thereof in addressing such severe accusations and claims.

For Dunn, the court decision represents a measure of accountability, offering a sense of justice for an incident that he shared continues to impact his life daily. “The attack has had a profound and everyday impact on my life,” he stated, emphasizing the enduring emotional trauma extends far beyond just the physical injuries he suffered.

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The judgment could have significant financial and reputational repercussions for Songz. Whether he plans to appeal the ruling or remain silent on the matter is yet to be seen. One thing is sure: the memories from that night in Las Vegas will stick around long after the courtroom battle is resolved. This case is a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of personal actions and public identities that can have lasting effects and sometimes lead to difficult situations.

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