Jennifer Hudson stars as American soul singer Aretha Franklin in this biographical drama. The film follows Franklin (Hudson/Skye Dakota Turner)'s life from her relatively privileged upbringing in 1950s Detroit as she discovers her talent for singing and begins performing in her preacher father (Forest Whitaker)'s church choir. Following the tragic death of her mother (Audra McDonald) when she is just ten-years-old, Aretha's early career is shaped by her father as she signs her first recording contract with Columbia Records. However, frustrated by her failed attempts to achieve success as a jazz singer, Aretha begins to find her voice as a soul singer after marrying her new manager, Ted White (Marlon Wayans), and signing with Atlantic Records.