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.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.