Jennifer Hudson: The 'Dreamgirl's' Rise To The Top Still Feels Like A Dream

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Those who have followed BV Buzz since its inception know I have a long history with Jennifer Hudson.

Long before the countless awards, the recording contract with Clive Davis' J Records and her A-list status, I knew the 'American Idol' finalist was destined for superstardom.

On May 2, 2005, I reported in this space ('Dream Role') that the Chicago native was a frontrunner for the role of Effie White in the film adaptation of 'Dreamgirls.'

Others disregarded my report and claimed names like Jill Scott, Queen Latifah, Frenchie Davis and Fantasia were the ones to beat for the coveted part.

A prominent columnist for a cable news channel told me point-blank: "They'll never cast her. They're looking for a superstar."

Little did he know that by then, Hudson was already a superstar waiting to explode!

On November 16, 2005, I broke news in the 'New York Daily News' that the then 24-year-old singer had been officially cast in the role originated on Broadway by Jennifer Holiday.

Unbeknownst to most, the laundry list of big names that were being tossed around never made it to the final callbacks. Instead the part came down to Hudson and Broadway star Capathia Jenkins and you know how the story goes from there.

Earlier this month, I interviewed the newly engaged 27-year-old at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, Canada where she was doing promotional work for her forthcoming film, 'The Secret Life of Bees.'

In part-one of this exclusive interview, the still-humble star talks candidly about seeing her 'dreams' come true and her excitement about finally releasing her debut self-titled CD.

Does this all still feel like a dream?

It feels like a dream! It hasn't slowed down since the moment I got the call saying, 'Jennifer, you're Effie White.' Every day it's another surprise and something else. Is this really my life? When you're this blessed, you can't help but to think that everybody says, 'all good things come to an end,' but it's not gonna end yet is it? At the same time I like to try to enjoy every single thing and every single moment because I don't take it lightly and it could have easily been someone else. But it's me! It's like I have to appreciate these things. It's a blessing.

What aspect of it do you appreciate the most?

I love it all! Is that greedy? I don't know what I love the most.

So the album is coming out on Sept. 30. It should have been titled 'A Long Time Coming!'

You're right; it should have been called 'A Long Time Coming.' This is my first baby. It doesn't seem real, but that's one of those moments when I need to stop and take this in because with everything going on, and it's so much commotion, it's hard to stop and really enjoy that moment. This is what I dreamed of and this is what I've waited for. It's here, hello. Every day I try to take a moment and take that in.

There were so many rumors about why the CD was pushed back. Tell me why it's just coming out.

Clearly people create their own reasons why the album had been pushed back. It was never scrapped, ever. Actually, a lot of the material on my album is from the starting point of this recording. It was more that this was Clive's baby and he wanted to take his time with it. Everyone was telling me that he's very excited and motivated about this album, which is an honor for me. Because I have film and music and I don't like to do them both at the same time, if I was filming then I was filming. Once we did 'The Secret Life of Bees' I didn't record anything. It was all film. If I'm recording then there's no film. I've done like three films since 'Dreamgirls' and I've been recording since the week after the Oscars, so I've been taking my time on each one.

You recorded Shirley Murdock's 'Go On Without You.' Why didn't that make the CD?

The Shirley Murdock remake didn't make the album. I wanted it to be on there so bad! I still do the song live though. Shirley Murdock was just with me at one of my shows the other night.

So many veteran artists like Shirley Murdock, Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin really love and appreciate what you do. How does that make you feel?

It's been an unbelievable blessing because when I met Whitney Houston she was like, 'Oh my God, you're the one.' This is Whitney and I couldn't even move. She was sitting there cheering me on. Aretha and I sat down and had lunch together. I'm doing a tribute to Patti and Gladys Knight and all of them see me as their baby. If you get it from them, what else do you need? That's just an honor because I looked up and still look up to all of them.

'Spotlight' is the first single from the CD. Tell me about a couple of the other songs on the album.

The Tank song 'We 'Gon Fight' made the album. That's one of the first ones that I recorded and it's on the album and it's one of my favorites. Some people tend to think it's a gospel song, but it's a matter of perception. The second single is going to be 'Pocketbook' which is produced by Timbaland. It's sassy and full of my personality.

Who would you like to tour with to promote this album?

I wouldn't mind touring with John Legend. John and I just saw each other recently and he was bringing it up and I was like, 'that is such a hot, hot idea.' I love that idea. I love Jazmine Sullivan as well. I'm just a fan of her.

You are conquering music and acting. What else would you like to do?

I really want to get back into writing music. That's my next goal. I'm also into photography now. I love taking photos and I love being in front and behind the camera.

The big girls love that you represent them well. How does it feel to be a poster-child for full-figured women?

I always wanted to be that person. It's like, wait a minute...every time I would look at the TV and the big girl never 'makes it' I don't think it was that nobody wanted to receive them, but they weren't backed up the right way or maybe they didn't even believe in themselves the right way. I was like, somebody needs to come out and represent them the right way. I don't mind being that person at all! I love it!

Both Queen Latifah and Jill Scott have clothing lines geared towards the plus-sized woman. Is that something you've considered?

I am about to launch my own fashion line and we're in the early, early stages of it. It was just presented to me so we're definitely going to come out with that because I want the skinny girl trying to be the big girl.

You really haven't changed Jennifer! Are people surprised by how normal and how friendly you are when they meet you?

People are very surprised at how normal I am. Every time I get on the plane and the flight attendant is like, 'You're so nice. You're not like any of the other celebrities.' I wonder what do they do and how you are supposed to be. To me, this is my job just like anyone else's job is their job. I like being normal and I've been normal for so long that it's hard to be anything else and I don't want to.

I know you have to have an Oprah Winfrey story. Everyone who has met her or been on her show does. Tell me yours.

I've been on her show about three times now and she was always like, 'you can come anytime that you want.' Nobody takes people up on those offers unless they want something. I saw her recently because her show is not too far from my house in Chicago . I wanted to see Oprah and say hello. It's not too many people in the industry who do that. She thought it was something wrong with me so she asked me if I was okay and if I needed any money. I told her I just wanted to come say hello and see how she was doing. I forgot when that was, but it wasn't that long ago. I just wanted to stop in and see how she was doing. She's definitely a huge supporter and somebody that I clearly admire.

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Stay tuned for part two of my exclusive interview with Jennifer Hudson where she talks about working on 'The Secret Life of Bees,' the major award that she can't find and the day she got called the n-word!