Jennifer Hudson Talks the 'Massive' Pressure of Playing Aretha Franklin in Upcoming Biopic

Jennifer Hudson rocks a bold cat-eye on the cover of As If Magazine.

Here’s what the 38-year-old singer/actress shared with the magazine:

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Jennifer Hudson

On being cast as Aretha Franklin in Respect: “Wow, what can I say? I couldn’t be more humbled, intimidated and excited. It’s a blessing, but scary at the same time. I go to sleep listening to Aretha, and I wake up listening to Aretha. I just want to do her justice and do the best job I possibly can.”

On the “massive” pressure of playing Aretha: “That’s the part that makes it worrisome, it’s so massive. I feel overwhelmed. To take on the lifespan of the career and legacy of this iconic figure is a huge responsibility. Even the way she spoke was so beautiful. I’m trying to pay as much homage to her as I possibly can. After watching Amazing Grace for the second time I felt like I was watching a different film because I interpreted it completely differently. I have far more of an understanding of her now, and there’s so much more to go.”

On the advice she got from Aretha before her death: “We spoke a lot. I feel like she gave me pieces into her life. When I would talk to Aretha I felt I knew exactly what she was talking about. When people are that iconic it’s easy to forget they had a life and that they are more than just an entertainer. They are a person, they’re a sister, they’re a child, they’re a wife, they’re a friend. In our conversations she was teaching me more about life than her life.”

Respect is scheduled to be out in theaters on October 9 – watch the first teaser!

For more from Jennifer Hudson, head to As If Magazine