Halle Berry is fuming over the lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T she’s getting from the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin!
The Oscar winner, 49, is furious about being passed over for the starring role in a biopic about the singer.
“Halle is heartsick,” an insider revealed exclusively to The National ENQUIRER. For some time, the 73-year-old Aretha wooed Halle for the project – even gushing, “Halle Berry is my pick,” to Wendy Williams.
But Halle has been dissed for “American Idol” alum Jennifer Hudson, 34, who’s set to sign on as Aretha in the flick being fast-tracked by the producers of “Straight Outta Compton.”
“When Halle heard Jennifer is on the inside track for the role, she called Aretha to read her the riot act,” said the source. “Aretha wouldn’t take Halle’s calls! She had someone reply, saying casting Jennifer is just a sound business decision.”
Halle – who nabbed a Best Actress Oscar for “Monster’s Ball” and portrayed singer Dorothy Dandridge in an HBO movie – welcomed Aretha into her home and counted her as a trusted friend, revealed the source.
“Halle feels duped. It’s not her fault producers and Aretha dragged their feet for years!” the source added.
The setback is the latest to befall Halle. As The ENQUIRER recently revealed, Halle hasn’t been wearing her wedding ring, and she and third husband, French actor Olivier Martinez, are living separate lives and facing a $100 million divorce.
“Halle feels like nothing’s working right for her, professionally or personally.
“Halle is holding a massive grudge. She says she’ll never speak to Aretha again!”
But Aretha told The ENQUIRER there’s no truth to bad blood between the two, adding: “Halle and I appreciate each other. She was just on the front row of my Los Angeles concert at the Microsoft Theater.”
