The 32-year-old appeared in a short dress and sang a medley of hits by Franklin and Whitney Houston at a 125th anniversary party for the late newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, reported New York Daily Post.
"She introduced the (Franklin) song 'Oh Me Oh My' and said it was her plan to portray Aretha someday. Jennifer then asked the audience, 'Is anyone listening?' to imply someone in the crowd should give her that role," she said.
Franklin has mentioned a wish list of supporting actors for her life story - including Terrence Howard, Denzel Washington, Audra McDonald, Nia Long and Kerry Washington - but has not endorsed any actress to play her role.