Aretha Franklin’s music has shaped generations, and for singer and Broadway singer and actress Cristina Rae, the Queen of Soul’s influence is both personal and profound. As she takes the stage in the national Broadway tour of “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” on Friday, March 7, in Spokane at the First Interstate Center for the Arts, Rae shares her thoughts on the power of storytelling through music, art transcending entertainment, and the responsibility she feels artists have to shape culture.
”R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” is more than just a musical; it’s a celebration of Aretha Franklin’s impact on music, activism and culture. According to Rae, the production blends Franklin’s music with historical context, highlighting the stories behind her songs.
“This one is more musical, but it gives you some details that you may or may not have already known. It’s not heavily detailed, but it lets you know about her relationships, her activism, and what she was writing while she was writing it,” Rae said.
For Rae, the tour is a timely reminder of Franklin’s role in the civil rights movement.
“It’s history repeating itself in some ways,” she said. “Aretha wasn’t just fighting for change in public – she was deeply involved behind the scenes, having conversations in her home, strategizing with those on the front lines. And now, we’re still singing ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ and waiting for change to come.”
In a world where music is often a reflection of the times, Rae believes that art carries a responsibility to elevate culture. In today’s entertainment landscape, she shares that music is not always produced with the intention of growth.
“When we sing Aretha’s music, it’s a reminder of what great music does,” she said. “It unites us, it inspires us, and it makes us feel.”
One of the most important lessons Rae has learned from Aretha Franklin’s story is the power of owning one’s narrative.
“Owning your story means sitting with what’s happening but not letting it control you,” she said.
Reflecting on her experience performing for a variety of different audiences, Rae points out that Franklin’s music has always had universal appeal and realizes the power that music has to bring people together. She emphasizes the impact of sound on the body and mind.
“Sound waves do different things to your body,” Rae said. “Music should help you grow, not control how you think.”
Beyond her music, Rae deeply admires Franklin’s resilience as a no-nonsense woman who suffered no fools. She reflects on how the singer learned how to keep on going when she lost her mother at a young age.
“She had every reason to shut down after losing her mother, but she pushed through.” She said, “It’s the painful moments that we go through that allow us to present the song the way that we do.”
As an artist and a mother herself, she relates to Franklin’s perseverance.
“I’ve gone through a lot – losing loved ones, balancing my career and motherhood – but I keep pushing,” Rae said. “Sometimes we move so fast that we don’t allow ourselves to feel. But we need to process our emotions, sit with them, and then move forward.”
When asked what “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” means to her, Rae shares that we have to be gentle to ourselves; when we do this, we show others how to treat us.
“That also starts with us realizing that we are not machines. We are human beings with emotions.”
Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Rae has been immersed in the performing arts since childhood. Classically trained, Rae shared, “I’ve been singing, acting, and dancing since I was 7.”
“My first professional show was ‘The Wiz’ at the Ryman Auditorium, and my Broadway debut was ‘The Wiz’ on Broadway.”
She has also won Amateur Night at the Apollo twice and gained national recognition on America’s Got Talent. But her aspirations don’t stop there.
“For the past three years, I’ve been part of albums that were nominated for Grammys – either singing or writing,” Rae said. “I know I’m getting closer to having my own Grammy, and that’s my goal. I could have certificates that say you were a part of a project that was nominated for a Grammy, but I want that when it says ‘Cristina was nominated for a Grammy.’ “
Excitedly, Rae shares that an EGOT is on her aspirations radar.
“I’m just waiting for the doors to open for those moments, but more than anything, I want to do all of this with my baby next to me because I have an 8-year-old son and he can sing his butt off.”
Rae aims to never go home empty, making sure that her talent is completely absorbed in every show, reinforcing her understanding that she is a vessel. She eagerly moves towards her next level as she leads with diligence and gratitude.
As the “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” tour makes its way to Spokane, Cristina Rae is not just honoring the legacy of Aretha Franklin – she’s carrying it forward. With her powerful performance and unwavering passion, she reminds us that music is more than entertainment; it’s a force for change, unity, and love.