To celebrate Aretha Franklin on what would be her 79th birthday today, many celebrities, including Mariah Carey, Ledisi and Tevin Campbell, turned to social media to show their appreciation for the legacy of the soul singer and record-breaking artist.
One of the most touching tributes to the late singer comes from Jennifer Hudson, who used her Instagram to show a developing mural in her honor. Hudson will star as Aretha in a biopic of the soul singer called RESPECT, which should debut later this year.
Cynthia Erivo, who became the Queen of Soul in the National Geographic series Genie: Aretha ended last night, also paid tribute, recognizing how the Detroit singer opened the door for her even before she was born.
Beyoncé also highlighted the singer’s “celestial anniversary” on the homepage of her official website, Beyonce.com.
Franklin helped break down barriers when his career started at just 12 years old. She became one of the most recognized and revered singers to date, becoming the first female artist to be included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She was also honored with a Pulitzer Prize for her contribution to music posthumously. in 2019. His legacy continues to be an impacting influence for decades to come.