Audra McDonald initially thought she wasn't right for the role of Aretha Franklin’s mother in 'Respect' biopic

Disney/Todd AndersonAudra McDonald has been cast as Aretha Franklin’s mother in the upcoming Respect biopic, but the six-time Tony Award-winner says producers had to convince her she was perfect for the role.

“When they approached me saying we want you to play her mother, I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, I don’t think I’m right for that,’” McDonald tells ABC Audio. “They said, ‘Oh no, no, no, you’re right for it, and she was a soprano and so are you, and we just think that it’s right.’”

“I know Aretha talked a lot about maybe wanting me to be involved in some way in a