The Grammys are getting a shot of girl power. Last night, Jennifer Hudson joined Christina Aguilera, Florence + the Machine’s Florence Welch, Martina McBride, and Yolanda Adams during a rehearsal for their tribute performance to Aretha Franklin, opening Sunday’s broadcast.
The quintet practiced a medley of some of the Queen of Soul’s biggest hits, banding together for “Natural Woman” and singing solo. Aguilera belted “Ain’t No Way,” while McBride took on “Until You Come Back to Me,” and Welch tackled “Think.” Hudson sassed up Staples Center with “Respect,” while Adams nailed “Spirit in the Dark.” The women rounded out the rehearsal with “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves.”
After practicing with her peers, J-Hud shared her excitement over the powerful performance. “Rehearsals are going, and went, very well,” she told MTV News. “It’s a lot of fun, and just being amongst the other ladies and being around some of my favorite artists, and then tributing Aretha Franklin, it’s just like surreal. And it’s a moment you just have to take in and enjoy it, and I’m like on cloud nine just in that moment.”
