::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

  This August the moment Aretha Franklin fans have been waiting for will arrive.  The highly anticipated film  "Respect" starring Jennifer Hudson will be released on August 13. There have be previous movies on the life of the late Queen of Soul but this is the one that Aretha hand picked Jenifer Hudson to star in. Presented by MGM Studios,  "Respect" is the remarkable true story of legendary music star Aretha Franklin’s journey to find her voice in the midst of the turbulent social and political landscape of 1960s America. Academy Award®-winner Jennifer Hudson headlines an all-star cast that includes Oscar®-winner Forest Whitaker (2007, Best Actor, "The Last King of Scotland"), Mary J. Blige, Marlon Wayans and four-time Emmy®-nominee Tituss Burgess. 

HOSTED BY TYLER PERRY, THE ONE-OF-A-KIND CONCERT WILL FEATURE EXCITING AND MOVING PERFORMANCES OF ARETHA'S LEGENDARY HITS BY TODAY'S BIGGEST ARTISTS SANTA MONICA, CALIF. — The Recording Academy ™ , AEG Ehrlich Ventures, Clive Davis, and CBS will pay tribute to the legendary career of 18-time GRAMMY ® winner and 2008 MusiCares ® Person of the Year honoree Aretha Franklin by presenting "Aretha! A GRAMMY Celebration For The Queen Of Soul." Performing songs from her legendary repertoire are GRAMMY winners Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Alessia Cara, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, and BeBe Winans as well as current GRAMMY nominees Brandi Carlile, Chloe X Halle, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, and SZA. Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry will host the unforgettable night. Additional unique performances to be announced in the coming weeks. The live concert will tape Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, at 6 p.m. PT at the...

Singing "Run to You" Voice contestant Kimberly Joye, 26 a former background vocalist for gospel artist JJ Hairston caused a catfight between ex-American Idol alums Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson on Monday night. Clarkson used her only blocking power to keep Hudson from snagging the Connecticut bred singer. The ladies were teaming this season in complete support of each other until Clarkson, who won on her first season as a judge, decided to betray the Dreamgirl. Joye chose Clarkson and said in a clip that she wanted to work with her to learn something new. Hudson, who still has blocking ability, seemed genuinely shocked and promised Clarkson payback. Blake Shelton also hit his buzzer, but stayed out of the fight.

buzzz worthy. . . Oscar winning actress Jennifer Hudson will be  starring in the reboot of "The Color Purple."  Producers confirmed rumors  that the "Dream Girl" actress would be taking on the role of Shug Avery in the Oprah Winfrey backed production Friday.  Hudson tweeted that she was excited to be a part of the play in the coming fall. Hudson is not the only American Alum to be associate with the Broadway version of the play based on the book written by Alice Walker.  Fantasia once played in the lead role as Celie.

buzzz worthy. . . It's out with the old and in with new drama for some celebrities in this week's Slice audio report.  Namely, an old letter that gave details of  alleged sex adventures with the Miami Heat's Dewayne Wade has resurfaced since the birth of a love child came to light days after his proposal to long-time girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Union.  Union brushed off the letter (which twas posted in February  2013), calling the woman a "loon" and dismissing her claims on Twitter when it first happened.  Wade released a statement acknowledging the love child he reportedly fathered with 30-year-old Aja Metoyer and said he conceived his third son when he and his now future wife were on a break. Even though the Heat player and his "Being Mary Jane" leading lady are attempting to move forward, according to an article on IBTIME.COM , Wade cheated  while he an Union were still a couple. Union responded to the messy situation in a round about Tweet on...

The ultimate  women's empowerment, cultural celebration and black music experience --THE ESSENCE FESTIVAL -- get underway today. Multi-platinum superstar Jennifer Hudson will make her debut Festival performance, joined by R&B/Funk icon Chaka Khan and the reunion of New Edition at the 2011 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL celebrating the "Roots of R&B" July 1 , 2 and 3 in New Orleans .  Kem, Miguel, Naughty By Nature, Doug E. Fresh , Marsha Ambrosius , Mavis Staples , Eric Benet , Vanessa Bell Armstrong , Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Brian Courtney Wilson , Kanye West , Mary J. Blige , Trey Songz, Jill Scott , Charlie Wilson , Boyz II Men, Fantasia, George Clinton , Macy Gray and more round out an incredible performance line-up. "The ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL is bringing together the world's best entertainers representing all genres of R&B -- from the inimitable Jennifer Hudson to the iconic Chaka Khan ," said Michelle Ebanks , President, ESSENCE Commu...

Jennifer Hudson sings "it's a new dawn, a new day and I'm feeling good" in a Weight Watchers ad as she shows off a figure that's 80 lbs. lighter than her pre-baby weight.  (Hudson has an 18-month-old son, David II,  with her soon-to-be husband David Otunga ). She has been owning red carpets lately with her curvy new bod, which for some reason we see less of on her on her sophomore CD cover, "I Remember Me." Not sure why her people didn't go with a full length shot, but the lady we love to love looks faaaab-u-lous anyway.  "I Remember Me" will be released on March 22. Meanwhile, she and her fiance are planning to wed some time this year.