Jennifer Hudson Honors Aretha Franklin at Pulitzer Prize Ceremony

Michelle Ruoff -

The Pulitzer Prize awards ceremony took place in New York City on Tuesday and Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to Aretha Franklin with a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

Houston performed at the annual Pulitzer Prize luncheon at Columbia University’s Low Memorial Library where the 103rd class of Pulitzer winners were honored.

Franklin was awarded a posthumous special citation “for her indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades.” Franklin is the first female artist to receive the Pulitzers’ Special Citation for the arts since the honor was first awarded in 1930. She joins the list of 41 special citation prizes and less than a dozen musicians to receive the Pulitzers’ Special Citation for the arts.

On the way there, Hudson got caught in some bad weather in the Midwest, which forced her to embark on an all-night road trip to New York to honor the Queen of Soul. Hudson told the Associated Press, “I looked up and I thought, ‘You know what, it’s like Aretha’s spirit is in me. She didn’t believe in flying, she would drive.’ I got here in time, five minutes early to sing, because I wasn’t going to miss it. Honey I said, ‘If I got to walk, if I got to crawl, I’m going to get there.’ And here I am — so it’s in my heart.”


Check out some of the social media posts from the ceremony below.


View this post on Instagram

Special surprise guest, Academy Award-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning recording artist Jennifer Hudson @iamjhud performing "Amazing Grace" at the Pulitzer luncheon @Columbia University today, in honor of 2019 #Pulitzer Special Citation awardee, the #QueenOfSoul @ArethaFranklin. @DonLemon @clivedavis . #PulitzerPrizes. #music. #ArethaFranklin Video by @spinitsocial

A post shared by The Pulitzer Prizes (@pulitzerprizes) on


View this post on Instagram

Ain’t God amazing ! @pulitzerprizes #ArethaFranklin #amazinggrace

A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on


View this post on Instagram

Only 43 special citations have been granted since 1930 , and #ArethaFranklin became the first woman honored with one . Franklin’s citation was a rare move for the @pulitzerprizes. The queen still reigns

A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on


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Article image: Jennifer Hudson performing at the Stand Up To Cancer fundraising telecast on Sept. 5, 2014. (Walt Disney Television [CC BY-ND 2.0] via Flickr.)