MGM Announces Open Online Auditions for Child Prodigy to Portray Young Aretha Franklin in 'Respect' Biopic
"MUST SING WELL, IDEALLY WITH A SOARING GOSPEL SOPRANO."
MGM Studios is on the hunt for a "charismatic child prodigy" that will fill the role of a young Aretha Franklin in their upcoming biopic feature, Respect.
READ: Aretha Franklin's Sons Contest Validity of Newly Discovered Will
According to Shadow + Act, the studio has put out an open call for online auditions, hoping to find their child star in a flood of phone-or-webcam-shot tapes. The casting description seeks an "African American girl to play ages 10-14." Also, you're gonna have to have the chops. The descriptions demands (all caps like DOOM) that the auditioner must "MUST SING WELL, IDEALLY WITH A SOARING GOSPEL SOPRANO."
If you've got the golden child or know someone that might, you can submit your tapes now. Rehearsals begin next month and production will move forward in October.
READ: Aretha Franklin Wins Pulitzer Prize For Her "Contribution to American Music"
Respect will star Jennifer Hudson as the grown (?) Aretha Franklin in a film directed by Liesl Tommy. According to an early synopsis, the film will chart the icon's ascent from her father's church choir to global soul phenom.
Hit the link below to send in your audition tape.