Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson Rehearse Grammy Tribute for Aretha Franklin

By Christine Fenno Posted Feb 12th 2011 09:03AM

Before Sunday night's Grammy Awards, five of this generation's most revered singers gathered at Los Angeles' Staples Center to fine-tune their highly anticipated salute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Of course, after the Super Bowl national anthem debacle, all eyes and ears will be on Christina Aguilera at the Grammys, where she'll reportedly sing Franklin's "Ain't No Way." Aguilera, pictured at the center mic, will share the stage with four other vocal divas (from left): Grammy winners Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride and Jennifer Hudson, plus newly-Grammy-nominated frontwoman for Florence and the Machine, Florence Welch.

Hudson couldn't hold back her excitement about the performance.

"Rehearsals are going, and went, very well," she told MTV News, after the quintet's run-through of solos and group efforts. Their medley will reportedly open with all five singing 'Natural Woman,' and finish with everyone belting 'Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves.'

"It's a lot of fun," Hudson continued. "And just being amongst the other ladies, and being around some of my favorite artists, and then tributing Aretha Franklin, it's....surreal. And it's a moment you just have to take in and enjoy....I'm like on cloud nine."

Grammy organizers have called the musical celebration a "valentine" for the 68-year-old Queen of Soul, who underwent surgery in December as part of a rumored battle with cancer. Franklin has since said "the problem has been resolved," and recently told a reporter for JET magazine "I am feeling great."

While Hudson feels great about the upcoming Grammy tribute -- during which she'll tackle Franklin's iconic hit, 'Respect' -- she says she wasn't in charge of song selection. "[Songs] were chosen for us," she said at rehearsal. "I know that had to be the hardest job because Aretha has like catalogues of music. And I remember when they asked me to submit a list, and I'm like, 'Oh my God! Where do I start?'"

The Grammy Awards on CBS will air live on Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. (ET).

Tags: Aretha Franklin, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson

Comments

(13)

Saturday 12 February

By Andrew

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This is definitely gonna be MY favorite performance of the night. What a great way to open the show by showcasing NATURAL talent stripped of auto tune and back up dancers. I hope they all do well.

By rjr357

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A bunch of fatties craving attention.

By Donna

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they don't look too "fat" to me. Open up your eyes...and listen with your ears !!!!

By dlhouser

P R A C T I C E CHRISTINA. MAYBE YOU'LL REMEMBER THE WORDS.

By Jonah

Between Christina and Jennifer, whoever sings second is definitely going to try and outdo the other. Let the wailing begin!

By laroywatermelon

what words? xtina look like she is in pain when she squawks and screams

By mannequin

Oh dear. What a mess.

By Digi

Lets just hope she doesnt start replacing lyrics with her own like she did the anthem...broad looks like shes giving birth everytime she sings anyway

By john

Is it true Whitney Houston is singing eric Claptons, "Cocain?"

By ann

let us hope that Christina rehearses a lot

By Denise

If they want to do a tribute, then use her performances/videos. I have no doubt Christina can belt them out right beside Aretha, but Hudson just screams. Haven't heard the others, but no one is better than the original star and their songs.

By Debra

I hope Christina can wear something a little more modern instead of the barely there (and so last year or the year before) tops she is still showing up in. Her fatty breasts just gross me out and do make her look fat all over. She looks so cute in the photo of the rehearsal in this article.

Tuesday 15 February

By He

No Snookilera was not better than Jennifer Hudson.Marilyn Monroe wannabe was trying hard to outsing everyone on that stage with her wailing and screeching.The force was not with Craptina as it eagerly pushed her off the stage.Jennifer,and Florence the machine rocked it.

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