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Jennifer Hudson Is the Queen of Respect

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jennifer hudson poses inside a home wearing an animal print bodysuit and multicolored blazer


Blazer, $3,745, bodysuit,$675, Dolce & Gabbana. Earrings, Bulgari, $2,390

Greg Williams

About a quarter of the way through Respect, audiences see Jennifer Hudson as a young Aretha Franklin, covering Dinah Washington’s “This Bitter Earth” at the Village Vanguard. Seconds later, Mary J. Blige’s Washington, seated in the middle of the New York City jazz club, flips her table, yelling, “Bitch, don’t you ever sing the Queen’s songs when the Queen is in front of you!”

While vivid and memorable, the scene is not historically accurate. Rather, it appears to be a composite of two incidents—a similar outburst Washington had lobbed at Etta James and a critique about the messiness of Franklin’s dressing room. But it underscores, in a meta way, one of the greatest truths of the film: how damn near impossible, perhaps even blasphemous, it is to attempt to conjure the Queen of Soul, even for a prodigiously talented star like Hudson.

“It was my dream to play her. So then for her to say she wanted me to play her, it was a dream come true.”

“I sit and think about it, like, What artist is built like that?” Hudson says, via Zoom, while trying to describe Franklin’s gift. “She was music. She was anointed, and her life was anointed.” But Franklin clearly saw something in Hudson, asking to meet with her following her Oscar-winning performance in Dreamgirls, and finalizing the decision while Hudson was in The Color Purple on Broadway. “It was my dream to play her,” says the actress, 40. “So then for her to say she wanted me to play her, it was a dream come true.”

The film, directed by Liesl Tommy, addresses the childhood traumas—including the untimely death of her mother—that helped inform Franklin’s singular voice, as well as the abuse she endured from her first husband and manager, Ted White (Marlon Wayans), and her eventual descent into alcoholism. But it is also book-ended by salvation through religion and song, beginning with Franklin singing alongside her father, Rev. C. L. Franklin, and ending with the recording of her seminal gospel album, Amazing Grace, at a Baptist church in Los Angeles.

Like Franklin, the Chicago-raised Hudson grew up in the church (her initial performance on American Idol was the first time her family heard her sing secular music). And her first onscreen appearance in Respect takes place during a rousing church service. “After the take was done, the congregation was still carrying on,” Hudson says with a laugh.“They were shouting in the spirit, and I’m still singing, and the camera people were like, ‘What is happening?’ But it was like, ‘We having church.’ ”

jennifer hudson wears a hot pink suit, sitting on a desk within an office

Jacket, $630, pants, $430, XULY.Bët. Necklace, Bulgari. Slingback pumps, Giuseppe Zanotti, $995

Greg Williams

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    Also like Franklin, Hudson has experienced more than her fair share of trauma. In 2008, her mother, brother, and seven-year-old nephew were murdered. Hudson’s estranged brother-in-law is serving a life sentence for the crimes. Toward the end of Respect, Hudson’s Franklin has a vision of her late mother, stepping away from her piano to embrace her daughter and remove a drink from her hand. “That scene, in that moment, felt so real to me,” Hudson says. “One of my last moments with my family was in my home by the piano. And for me, when I’m trying to find my inner peace, I always go to the piano and play a song that was inspired by my mother.”

    A challenge for Hudson, who describes herself as “very talkative and expressive,” was to convey Franklin’s subtlety. “Even when she was her most powerful and most fabulous, [Franklin] was very careful with her words,” Tommy says. “I was attracted to that side of her, why she was that way and how she changed from someone who was unsure and shy to someone who was clear about herself, who had agency, and who stepped into her own power. That was the journey I was interested in.”

    The role marks a full-circle journey for Hudson as well. Her audition song for American Idol was Franklin’s “Share Your Love With Me,” after all. And this past August, Hudson wowed audiences at the We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert in Central Park with a breath-taking performance of “Nessun Dorma,” the aria Franklin famously sang at a moment’s notice at the 1998 Grammys, when Luciano Pavarotti fell ill. Hudson gave an encore performance of the piece the following weekend at Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda show in Venice.

    Also over the summer, Hudson signed on to star in an anthology project called Tell It Like a Woman. Her segment, “Pepcy & Kim,” directed by Taraji P. Henson, centers on the true story of Kim Carter, a former addict who now helps other women take back control of their lives. While Hudson acknowledges that “music is the undertone” that helps her connect to emotion in her work, she’s also excited about the prospect of just acting. The next dream biopic role she’s currently manifesting: “I would love to play Oprah,” she says.

    But for now, Hudson has reentered the awards-season conversation, with many touting her Respect showing as a worthy contender for the Best Actress Oscar. To costar Wayans, the accolades couldn’t be more deserved. “She did take after take after take, singing live. The woman never even asked for lemon and hot water or salt water to gargle with. She was a machine,” he says. “I’m just so happy that I got to watch that type of greatness. A queen played a queen. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”

    jennifer hudson on the cover of elle

    Greg Williams

    Hair by Kiyah Wright at Muze Hair; Makeup by Adam Burrell for M.A.C. Cosmetics; Manicure by Francesca Brown; Produced by Jonathan Bossle at Tightrope Production

    This article appears in the November 2021 issue of ELLE.

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Fashion

Jennifer Lopez Joined Ben Affleck In L.A. With Kids For Thanksgiving

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Jennifer Lopez Joined Ben Affleck In L.A. With Kids For Thanksgiving


On Wednesday night, Jennifer Lopez arrived in Los Angeles with her 13-year-old twins Max and Emme. The family was likely there to join Lopez’s boyfriend, Ben Affleck, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Lopez recently returned from the much colder climate of British Columbia, Canada, where she was filming her latest project, The Mother.

J. Lo touched down in her private jet wearing a teddy fur coat from Coach’s Autumn/Winter 2019 collection, and a pair of Ugg boots. Classic airplane outfit, celebrity style. Lopez and Affleck originally dated in 2002 and broke up in 2004. Their romance was rekindled earlier this year, soon after Lopez ended her relationship with baseball player Alex Rodriguez. The new couple went official in July, while celebrating Lopez’s 52nd birthday abroad.

Affleck’s most recent relationship with Ana de Armas ended in January after about a year together. He had divorced ex-wife Jennifer Garner in 2015 after being married for almost a decade. Garner and Affleck had three daughters, Violet, Seraphina, and Sam.

Before traveling back to the U.S., Lopez posted a story to Instagram Reels about how grateful she was to be headed home.

“Hey everybody, it’s my last day here shooting on The Mother out in Smithers in the snow, it’s been beautiful, but tonight I’m on my way home,” she said, as she walked through the wild landscape in a black coat and beanie.

“I’m so excited for Thanksgiving! I hope everybody has an amazing weekend with their families and their loved ones, there’s so much to be grateful for this year. I’m on my way!”

This is the first major holiday of the year since Lopez and Affleck reunited, so it’s likely to be a big one for both families.

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Everlane’s Black Friday Sale is Packed With Winter Essentials

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This is not a drill: Everlane just kicked off its Black Friday sale. Now through Monday, November 29, the direct-to-consumer brand is offering 20 to 40% off its cozy sweaters, minimalist activewear, and popular jeans. If you’re not super familiar with Everlane, let me spell it out for you: this is a big deal.

The e-tailer might be known for making sustainable, ethically made clothes and accessories at a fair, affordable price, but Everlane rarely has sales beyond its Choose What You Pay section. So, if you want to stock up on cute basics for less, now’s your time to shop.

And, in true Everlane fashion, the brand is taking this opportunity to give back. Everlane is partnering with Rodale Institute and help U.S. farmers transition their farmland to regenerative organic—and donating $15 per order to the cause. A great sale that gives back? I’m sold.

But, hurry! These deals are going to sell out fast, so you won’t want to waste any time filling your e-cart.

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1

The Cloud Turtleneck

$150 $105 (30% off)

Sweater weather is officially here, so why not pick up a few fresh layers? This turtleneck is the S’s: snuggly, stylish, and on sale. 

2

The Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny Jeans

everlane

$78 $58 (25% off)

Looking for a great pair of jeans, minus the markup? Everlane’s classic skinny style is not only super stretchy, but it’ll look good with everything from chunky sweaters to silky blouses.

3

The ReNew Teddy Slippers

everlane

$65 $39 (40% off)

Why limit the shearling trend to the upper half of your body? These plush slippers will give even your most worn-in sweats a stylish edge.

4

The Chunky Cardigan

everlane

$110 $77 (30% off)

Sure, this may not be the cardigan Taylor Swift was talking about. But, with an exaggerated collar and ribbed finish, this style would definitely score top marks from the singer herself. 

5

The Canvas Utility Boots

everlane

$115 $59 (40% off)

Brave the cold weather in style with Everlane’s chic boots. The canvas uppers and thick sole make these an ideal, all-weather option.

6

The Lofty-Knit Henley

everlane

$150 $105 (30% off)

Made with a nubby blend of merino wool, alpaca, and recycled nylon, this henley is perfect for a cozy night in, yet stylish enough to wear in public.

7

The Perform Bike Shorts

everlane

$45 $22 (51% off)

No, you can never have too many stretchy pants. Everlane’s bike shorts ooze major Lady Di vibes — for under $25, no less.

8

The ReLeather Court Sneakers

everlane

$110 $66 (40% off)

Made with recycled leather, these refresh sneakers will serve up major curb appeal — and Mother Nature’s seal of approval. 

9

The Field Dress

everlane

$100 $60 (40% off)

Found: a fun, flouncy frock you can wear year-round. For a wintry take, pair with opaque tights and your favorite chunky boots.

10

The Cozy-Stretch Wide-Leg Sweatpants

everlane

$150 $75 (50% off)

With a straight-legged silhouette and wool material, it’s safe to say these are the chicest sweatpants we’ve ever seen. To sweeten an already enticing offer, this pair is half off.

11

The Organic Cotton Flannel Popover

$80 $56 (30% off)

Everlane reimagined the traditional flannel with a cropped silhouette, voluminous sleeves, and a slew of minimalist colors.

12

The Studio Bag

everlane

$275 $192 (30% off)

Large enough to fit all your essentials, but not too big that it’ll weigh you down, Everlane’s Studio Bag is the perfect everyday purse.

13

The ReNew Long Liner

everlane

$158 $118 (25% off)

House Stark was right: winter really is coming. Made with recycled materials, this liner is a great layering piece that’s considerably chicer than the yesteryear’s Michelin Man-worthy parkas.

14

The Felted Merino Beanie

everlane

$50 $30 (40% off)

All set on clothes? Pick up this cheery beanie, which is 40% off its original price.

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29 Winter Fragrances That Exude Main Character Energy

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29 Winter Fragrances That Exude Main Character Energy



29 Winter Fragrances That Exude Main Character Energy

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