NEW YORK (RUSHPRNEWS) AUGUST 9, 2008–Long before landing the coveted role of “Effie” in the upcoming film version of the legendary Broadway musical “Dreamgirls”, Jennifer Hudson sang for the very first time before a small church in her native Chicago, bringing the congregation to its feet with soul- stirring solo performances week after week.
Hudson, now 25, attributes her vocal ability to her late maternal grandmother.In 2004, she wowed millions of television viewers during season three of the wildly popular Fox series “American Idol”.
It seems just as well she didn’t win the show with the success J-Hud has had since then.Tremendous buzz surrounded Hudson’s much-anticipated “Dreamgirls” film debut as “Effie,” a role she won over nearly 800 actors and singers vying for the part and even won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the character.
Her highly anticipated debut album is finally ready and available in September including her hit single “Spotlight” written by Ne-Yo.
Jennifer discusses her upcoming role in the film adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd’s New York Times bestseller “The Secret Life of Bees”, talks her major label debut, and dishes on what it was like working with Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of “Sex and the City”.
You’ve done so much since “American Idol” including winning countless awards like a Golden Globe and BAFTA. Do you think it was a blessing you didn’t win the show?
Yes definitely. I’m so happy with the way things have unfolded for me and I’m very glad I didn’t win. It looks like the runners up do better than the winners anyway.
I loved the “Sex and the City” Movie like millions of other women out there. How did you identify with Louise’s character?
Our personalities are very similar and we’re both very traditional girls. I actually wasn’t that familiar with the show before I was cast in the role. After I read the script I started doing research and became a big fan. I was watching it all day. There are so many great episodes and it’s an amazing show. The script drew me to the movie and my sister was a huge fan of the show and encouraged me to go for it.
What was it like working closely with Sarah Jessica Parker?
It was unbelievable for me to work with her and the show on its own is phenomenal having run for eight years. To me, the film was like a celebration of the show and they allowed me to be a newcomer which I didn’t take lightly.
How about working in such close proximity with all those clothes and shoes?
One of the most amazing things for me was the fitting. Oh my goodness, it took a whole day just for my character to be dressed and get the wardrobe ready. The level of fashion that Patricia Field is on is like no other and you learn so much working with her like which shoes go with which outfit. I couldn’t keep anything though, I wish I could have!
What other films have you been working on?
“Sex and the City” was after “Dreamgirls” and now we have “The Secret Life of Bees” which will be coming out on October 17th of this year. It’s a very powerful film based on the book of the same name. I act alongside Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning and others. We’re all extremely excited about this film and I can’t wait for it to come out. I hope we all get to record something for soundtrack together because I’m a fan of Queen and Alicia.
Let’s talk about your music and your selt-titled debut album. So Ne-Yo wrote your debut single “Spotlight”?
Yes he did and Stargate produced it. Ne-Yo is an amazing writer, I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do lyrically. I also worked with Timbaland and Ludacris on a song called Pocketbook which is also on the album, The Underdogs, Diane Warren, Robin Thicke and Missy Elliott.
What kind of theme does this album have?
I just wanted to take everyday situations and make music out of them. It’s about life’s variety. I didn’t want every song to be about a relationship so it’s not like that. For example, “Pocketbook” is about my sassiness. I hope this album shows a bit about my personality. Everything is different; I don’t like to be boxed in so I didn’t have any limits strapped onto me. I didn’t write so much for this particular project but next time around I definitely want to contribute more to my album.
It’s definitely a long anticipated album. Are you anxious about peoples’ opinions?
No! I mean I am anxious in a way but nobody’s waited longer than I have. It’s taken me seventeen years to get here. This is what I dreamed of my whole life and now it’s finally here.
How do your family and boyfriend feel about your worldwide success?
Everybody’s been really supportive and believed I would make it. My family don’t like being in the spotlight so they’re all tucked away. They said I chose to be famous and not them. They’re always there for me though.
– By Rashmi Shastri
NEWS SOURCE YO! RAPS MAGAZINE
