Jennifer Hudson Delivers a Tribute to Aretha Franklin During Her First-Ever CMA Awards Performance
CMA Awards 2021: All the Must-See Moments You Missed!
ACM Date Night: Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin, Keith Ur…
Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks Preview ACM Awards and Possible Du…
Gabby Barrett Spills on Working With Miranda Lambert and Luke Co…
Katy Perry and Halle Bailey Embrace Iconic Disney Characters for…
Ariana Madix Shares What She's Learned About Herself From Scando…
Why Prince Harry Will Not Have a Role at King Charles’ Coronation
Drew Barrymore Hints at What to Expect From 2023 MTV Movie & TV …
Met Gala 2023: Keke Palmer on Son Leodis Helping Her Get Ready (…
Met Gala Moments: Iconic Moments and What to Expect at 2023 Event
‘Welcome to Wrexham’: How Taylor Swift Might Contribute to Seaso…
Met Gala 2023: Kim Petras on Being 'Nervous' to Sport Sky-High P…
See Keke Palmer's Met Gala 2023 Look Get Crafted by Sergio Hudso…
Rihanna Shares How Pregnancy No. 2 Is Different (Exclusive)
‘American Idol’: Katy Perry Reacts to Lionel Richie Claiming She…
Bella Ramsey Gets Overwhelmed at First Met Gala (Exclusive)
'90 Day Fiancé': Debbie Walks Off on Oussama After He Tells Her …
Met Gala 2023: Kylie Jenner Stuns in Red From Head-to-Toe!
'Not Dead Yet' Finale: Gina Rodriguez Entertains Meeting Up With…
Jennifer Hudson brought down the house with her performance of Aretha Franklin's track, "Night Life," at the 55th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday. Hudson made her debut, live on the CMA stage from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, alongside Chris Stapleton and a soulful band.
After lending his hands on the guitar, the country star lent his voice to a moving rendition of "You Are My Sunshine," which quickly turned into a gospel-like performance that he and Hudson belting out the lyrics.
Their performance was met with cheers and a standing ovation from the CMAs audience, which saw stars like Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, singing along and dancing to Hudson's terrific tribute to the Queen of Soul.
The singer, actress and star of the acclaimed Aretha Franklin biographical musical drama, Respect, hit the carpet ahead of the awards show in a stunning, red, custom Dolce & Gabbana floor-length gown that featured a lace bodice, a thigh-high slit, and lace leggings underneath. She paired the look with matching lace gloves, wearing her hair in a short bob, while keeping her makeup simple, opting to go for a dark red lipstick that matched the deep tone of the dress.
ET spoke to Hudson at the premiere of the biopic in August, where she revealed one of Franklin's last requests of her.
"I got to tribute her a lot, and one of her last requests was for me to sing 'Skylark,' which I am going to do and there are a couple of others, but I can't think of them right but I know that's one of the standards and I'm in love with the standards now so I have to singer the standards," she explained at the time. "I love 'Accentuate The Positive,' 'This Bitter Earth.' I am a fan, OK? So, I have discovered so much more music during this whole process."
The 2021 CMA Awards aired Nov. 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
See the full list of winners below.
RELATED CONTENT
2021 CMA Awards: The Complete Winners List
Keith Urban Performs at CMAs -- and Nicole Kidman Is Loving It!
Blake Shelton Performs 'Come Back as a Country Boy' at CMA Awards
Related Gallery
