Genius: Aretha | Behind the Scenes with the A-Team

The team behind the scenes of the third season of Emmy-winning anthology series GENIUS explore the craft and care that goes into honoring Aretha Franklin's musical genius, legacy and lasting influence, and bringing her story to life.

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Genius: Aretha | Behind the Scenes with the A-Team

National Geographic

[NatGeo]

The team behind the scenes of GENIUS explore the craft and care that goes into honoring Aretha Franklin's musical genius, legacy and lasting influence, and bringing her story to life.

[tvland]

I'll wait for the Jennifer Hudson biopic to hit theaters in August!

[kathrinecollins-williams]

Cynthia put her own twist on Aretha's music and it was fantastic, I'm waiting on the soundtrack.

[nnsense]

I met her once in i thing 2003 on a flight to DC from Detroit when i was 13.... I didn't know it then, but later on I'll never forget her smile :)

[kendalmoraes]

When Ted hit her and she hit him back, I literally cheered!

[leighatl]

I really enjoyed this series! Cynthia did an awesome job. Not to mention Paulette Washington's role as Big Mama. Thank you Genius.

[americapie]

Cynthia is going to bring it on and Jennifer Hudson will probably get another Academy award. Both of these women are great.

[seriousone]

I'm a big fan of Aretha's, and this series was excellent. I expected it to gloss over some of the unpleasant details of her life (i.e. the two pregnancies at an early age, her father's womanizing and drinking, her parents' divorce, etc.) like Aretha did in her autobiography. Instead, the series shows her struggles and how she overcame them to become an international star.

[Rapcom]

People like her are what makes this country even greater. God rest her soul.

[iona]

Thank you for sharing this story I grew up in Detroit and so many memories came back. I loved every minute of this story.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍😍😍

[sunlion]

I am so totally skeptical about his. There is only one Aretha Franklin.Nobody could portray Aretha.

[lukeolney]

She looks and sounds absolutely nothing like Aretha Franklin. Aretha had a much higher speaking voice and a very distinct speech pattern (See any vintage interview, or Jennifer Hudson’s voice in the “Respect” teaser.) This project feels very disrespectful. Also interesting that they don’t have the rights to use any of Aretha’s music in their promos.

[salliemae]

Aretha Franklin R.I.P.The Queen of Soul.The first woman inductee to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.She is the greatest female soul singer .When she is on stage she commands the attention of everybody with her aura and extraordinary talents.Truly a legend smiling from up above.She will be played by an extraordinary talents that i am a fan of Cynthia Erivo who won the Emmy The Grammy The Oscar the Tony.She is another legend in the making.Thank you @Nat Geo channel.

[mysuernameisthis]

What an amazing spot! I’m looking forward to this one :)

[mk_master]

glad they chose Aretha for the next Genius season

[vikkismith]

Great video footage from behind the scenes. I love it Thanks for the uploaded. Have blessed day Babe!

[carolbenson]

Watched last night on National Geographic..she did the most excellent superb acting!!!👍

[andrejones]

For those in doubt Aretha Louise Franklin was an artistical GENIUS. The Queen of Music literally stunned the world when she sang opera that time. Her GENIUS allowed her to express admiration for a genre galaxies away from the field in which she has un disputedly been designated as a GENIUS i.e. soul expression. Aretha recognized that GENIUS does not only exist in categories in which she excelled, but all music possesses some level of GENIUS. To all my classical and opera purists, PLEASE do yourselves a favor and go listen to music outside your comfort zone and in doing so you might expand the breadth of your own Love Always Andre'.

[staxoffunk]

NatGeo needs to do a series on Dionne Warwick

[dignifiedblackman]

Excellent series I had no idea Aretha went through so much at a young age. Now I understand why she was mean later in life she had a tough life.