Jennifer Hudson was honored Tuesday night during the ELLE’s Women in Hollywood event.

During her acceptance speech, J-Hud paid RESPECT to Aretha Franklin and shared how the late singer’s faith in women helped get her through filming the iconic role.

That’s what we’re supposed to do for each other as women—encourage each other

“As I came in tonight, I couldn’t help but to look around the room at all the women, to see how well we take up space today,” she said. “And I related that to playing Miss Franklin because, doing the research, I was studying the era she grew up in, where women didn’t have the capacity, the opportunity, the chance to speak their minds or take up space. And one of the main things I had to keep in mind was the minimal space women were allowed to have. I remember thinking, ‘How am I supposed to play this role when I am very outspoken? When I walk into a room, you’re gonna hear me. I’m gonna say what I’m gonna say.’” 

She continued, “Because women back during that time, that era, couldn’t even say what they thought or how they felt. But to look at us today, to see each and every one of us hold our space? We’re on the right track. The thing that got me through filming was Miss Franklin’s encouragement, and her faith that she had in women, and that’s what we’re supposed to do for each other as women—encourage each other. And that’s not an easy task to take on.”