Jennifer Hudson will re-open New York’s Apollo Theater with a live show of her own material and Aretha Franklin classics later this month. 

The venue has been closed since March 2020 but, following the premiere of her biopic ‘Respect’, in which she portrays the Queen of Soul, the star will hit the stage to perform cuts from the flick. 

The intimate show is one of three events sponsored by Mastercard related to Hudson and the release of Respect, to honour Black Business Month. 

The singer says: “I’m excited to celebrate the Black-women owned business entrepreneurs that Mastercard’s Strivers Initiative spotlights both at the event in their honour and at the intimate concert at the Apollo.

“It’s a dream come true to perform at the Apollo and an honour to celebrate with Ms. Franklin’s music, who has been an inspiration to me my entire life. 

“I continue to be in awe of Black female role models who serve as activists and advocates in their communities and I am thrilled, through my partnership with Mastercard, to shine a light on them.”

Jennifer is an ambassador for the financial company, which is set to sponsor the film’s premiere at the Regency Village Theatre before its wider release on August 13. 

Ticket sales for the 1,500-capacity show will benefit Fearless Fund, an investment project built by women of colour.