Aretha Franklin has suggested that she would like Audra McDonald (Private Practice) to play her in the upcoming biopic on the Queen of Soul. Franklin saw McDonald in a role on Broadway (Porgy and Bess) and was impressed with her work.
Franklin added that there has been no contact with McDonald, but said she admires her stage presence and singing voice.
The biopic is based on her 1999 best-selling autobiography, From These Roots, and will get the same title.
Over the past year, names floated for the role have included Jennifer Hudson, Halle Berry and Fantasia.
Meanwhile, Franklin has pegged Denzel Washington to portray her father Rev. Clarence LaVaughn, with Blair Underwood playing her brother Cecil Franklin, Nia Long playing her older sister Erma and Kerry Washington playing her younger sister Carolyn.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Entertainment News
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.