Jennifer Hudsondemanded R-E-S-P-E-C-T at the 2021 CMA Awards.
The performance marked Hudson’s debut on the award show stage, and her final notes in the song had everyone in the crowd on their feet cheering.
Jennifer Hudson and Chris Stapleton.Emma McIntyre/Getty; Jason Kempin/Getty
Jennifer Hudson and Chris Stapleton.ABC
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Check out PEOPLE’s full CMA Awards coverage to get the latest news on country’s biggest night.
For Stapleton, 43, the performance marked yet another successful night at the award show — tracing back to his explosion in the country music scene in 2015 when heperformed a medleyof “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Drink You Away” with Justin Timberlake.
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The most nominated artist at this year’s show, Stapleton swept with wins in the single of the year, album of the year and song of the year categories for his albumStarting Overand its title track, as well as male vocalist of the year. He was also up for entertainer of the year.
Chris Stapleton.
Meanwhile, Hudson has also had a successful year with the release ofRespectover the summer. In July, she reflected on howrelating to Franklin’s life storyhelped her portray the legend during an interview withInStyle.
“As an actor, you have to go to your own real places,” she said at the time. “I don’t think I would have been able to dig that deep or connect in a way had I not been through things myself.”
source: people.com
