Sparks t'Sparkle' premieres in Royal Oak

'Sparkle' red carpet premiere held at Emagine Theater

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ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WJBK) -

Aretha Franklin, Martha Reeves and Jordin Sparks walked the red carpet Sunday for a special advanced screening of 'Sparkle,' a remake of the 1976 film.

The film, starring Sparks and the late Whitney Houston, was filmed in Detroit and was supposed to be Houston's comeback before her untimely death earlier this year.

Sparks plays Sparkle, a struggling music prodigy trying to balance a new life and her singing group during the Motown-era. "For me it was a complete learning experience," said Sparks during the premiere at Royal Oak's Emagine Theatre Sunday.

Click the video player to watch a string of interviews with Sparks.

Houston plays Spark's mother. "I admired here and I idolized her when I was younger," said Sparks. "She was just so giving and open and she just wanted to get to know all of us. She wanted to see us shine."

Franklin, who performed on the original 70s soundtrack, was pleased with Sparks' performance. "I like her. I like her a lot," said Franklin. But she admitted seeing her goddaughter Houston onscreen was a bittersweet moment.

'Sparkle' debuts in theaters on August 17.

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