Audio By Carbonatix
On Tuesday, March 16's all-new E! News Daily Pop, Cynthia Erivo caught up with E!'s Justin Sylvester and discussed her role in the third installment of Genius. As E! News readers well know, the new season, titled Genius: Aretha follows the incredible career and life of the Queen of Soul.
"I felt like I had a responsibility to try and tell the story as fully and as truthfully and as honestly as it possibly could," Cynthia started off. "So, daunting, yes. But also, really exciting."
While the small-screen treatment of Aretha's life will be premiering on Nat Geo this weekend, the Jennifer Hudson-led biopic is also coming later this year. Yet, as the Harriet actress noted on Daily Pop, both Aretha-centric projects deserve your "Respect."
"I'm greedy. So, any Aretha I can get, I'm getting," she shared. "I want to hear Aretha coming out of Jennifer's mouth. Those two have a really special relationship."

Renewed and Canceled TV Shows 2021 Guide
As she continued, the 34-year-old actress and singer said she was "so excited" that there are multiple projects celebrating Aretha. She expressed, "It's something that we as Black women barely get so, to have her celebrated like this is so cool."
Cynthia and Jennifer previously worked together in the 2015 Broadway revival of The Color Purple. In fact, this production marked Jennifer's Broadway debut and earned Cynthia the Best Actress in a Musical award at the 70th Tony Awards.
Fun fact: Justin was present for Cynthia and Jennifer's "Purple Rain" tribute to Prince following his death in 2016. As the Daily Pop co-host recalled, the two stars led their Color Purple castmates in a musical tribute following their curtain call.

Stars playing real people
"I was depressed because Prince had died," Justin shared with Cynthia. "I'm sitting in the audience, saw the play, sobbing crying and then, all of a sudden, you and Jennifer Hudson came through and served everybody the gospel of Prince."
For Cynthia's full Daily Pop appearance, including what she'd say to the late Aretha after portraying her, check out the video above.
Latest Stories
-
2026 FIFA World Cup: What African fans will pay to watch their teams
4 hours -
2026 World Cup: How FIFA priced Africa’s ordinary fan out of the tournament – and why the gap with the rest of the world is impossible to ignore
4 hours -
Creative industries ‘incredibly worried’ about OpenAI-Disney deal
4 hours -
Low condom use among young people in Volta Region disheartening – AIDS Commission
5 hours -
Prada to launch $930 ‘Made in India’ Kolhapuri sandals after backlash
5 hours -
Gov’t moves to fix Armed Forces housing crisis with 2000 new units and jets
5 hours -
Boy, 13, shot dead as youth torch mining vehicles in Adelekezu
5 hours -
‘Architects of AI’ named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year
6 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Berekum Chelsea edge Hohoe United to end winless run
6 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Mensah’s penalty helps Bechem United beat Eleven Wonders
6 hours -
Did Ghana need 110 brand new hospitals at once?
7 hours -
Benin: Ex-president’s son arrested after foiled coup attempt
7 hours -
Reconsidering Ghana’s presidential age limit: Why Article 62(b) of the 1992 Constitution deserves review
7 hours -
ECOWAS unanimously endorses President Mahama for African Union chairmanship
7 hours -
Douri-Naa predicts victory for ‘Second Dombo’ Bawumia in NPP primaries and 2028 election
7 hours
