These days, our knowledge of
celebrities too often originates with paparazzi images and snarky quotes by
anonymous “insiders.” After a while, it’s easy to forget that stars are real
people. When she auditioned for “American Idol” in 2004, a fresh-faced Jennifer
Hudson admitted to the judges that she had just finished work singing on a
Disney cruise ship. “We’re going to expect something better than a cruise ship
performance, right, today?” Randy Jackson grilled her. “Yeah, definitely that,”
Hudson said.
celebrities too often originates with paparazzi images and snarky quotes by
anonymous “insiders.” After a while, it’s easy to forget that stars are real
people. When she auditioned for “American Idol” in 2004, a fresh-faced Jennifer
Hudson admitted to the judges that she had just finished work singing on a
Disney cruise ship. “We’re going to expect something better than a cruise ship
performance, right, today?” Randy Jackson grilled her. “Yeah, definitely that,”
Hudson said.
Ten years later, with a couple
of Grammys and an Oscar under her belt, 32-year-old Hudson has come full
circle: she’s one of the marquee names set to perform at 49 port stops for the
Carnival LIVE Concert Series in the next year, joining the likes of Gavin
DeGraw, Jewel and Lady Antebellum as part of the cruise company’s effort to
spice up their already wildly popular vacation packages. Before a powerful
performance at New York’s The Cutting Room, where she sang favourites such as
“One Night Only” and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” Hudson took some
time out of her increasingly busy schedule to talk to Huffington Post
Celebrity’s reporters. Excerpts:
of Grammys and an Oscar under her belt, 32-year-old Hudson has come full
circle: she’s one of the marquee names set to perform at 49 port stops for the
Carnival LIVE Concert Series in the next year, joining the likes of Gavin
DeGraw, Jewel and Lady Antebellum as part of the cruise company’s effort to
spice up their already wildly popular vacation packages. Before a powerful
performance at New York’s The Cutting Room, where she sang favourites such as
“One Night Only” and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” Hudson took some
time out of her increasingly busy schedule to talk to Huffington Post
Celebrity’s reporters. Excerpts:
We take it that going back on
a boat is a kind of homecoming for you …
It hits close to home. I guess that’s where the connection came
from, because I worked on a cruise ship right before I auditioned for “American
Idol.” So this is full circle in a way for me. The coolest part about it is
that it’s incredible artists with major careers [who are] going on a ship to
perform, that’s unheard of. One of the most memorable things for me, from being
on a ship, is just watching the entertainment.
a boat is a kind of homecoming for you …
It hits close to home. I guess that’s where the connection came
from, because I worked on a cruise ship right before I auditioned for “American
Idol.” So this is full circle in a way for me. The coolest part about it is
that it’s incredible artists with major careers [who are] going on a ship to
perform, that’s unheard of. One of the most memorable things for me, from being
on a ship, is just watching the entertainment.
How did performing for two
months straight on a ship transform you as a singer?
It helped me learn the art of live performing, because no two
shows are alike. You have to be prepared for anything. I remember being on the
ship and the whole cast went down because it was rocking. But we had to keep
going. So it teaches you how to be a live performer. And I got to grow, and
actually use that as a test. I was like, I’m going to go on this ship, and if I
can make it through this, then that means I’m cut out to go audition for
“American Idol.” And if I can’t get through this, then I should just hang it
up. So it was a teacher. And I made it, so now I get to go on.
months straight on a ship transform you as a singer?
It helped me learn the art of live performing, because no two
shows are alike. You have to be prepared for anything. I remember being on the
ship and the whole cast went down because it was rocking. But we had to keep
going. So it teaches you how to be a live performer. And I got to grow, and
actually use that as a test. I was like, I’m going to go on this ship, and if I
can make it through this, then that means I’m cut out to go audition for
“American Idol.” And if I can’t get through this, then I should just hang it
up. So it was a teacher. And I made it, so now I get to go on.
You have a new album coming
out soon. What can we expect from it?
I think it’s going to come out in the spring, there’s no
official date yet. We’re literally still in the studio recording, I was just
there a day ago. But the single’s out, it’s called”I Can’t Describe (The Way I
Feel),” and the video is going to be released on the 23rd of January and it’s a
different side of me. I’m not going to say I discovered anything, but I’m
introducing a new side of me.
out soon. What can we expect from it?
I think it’s going to come out in the spring, there’s no
official date yet. We’re literally still in the studio recording, I was just
there a day ago. But the single’s out, it’s called”I Can’t Describe (The Way I
Feel),” and the video is going to be released on the 23rd of January and it’s a
different side of me. I’m not going to say I discovered anything, but I’m
introducing a new side of me.
Is it your fierce side?
It is. I call her Jones. That’s Jones, that’s not Jennifer. It’s
so different, it’s really cool, and the music is, too. I love the energy. I got
to work with Timbaland, and Pharrell, and R. Kelly.
It is. I call her Jones. That’s Jones, that’s not Jennifer. It’s
so different, it’s really cool, and the music is, too. I love the energy. I got
to work with Timbaland, and Pharrell, and R. Kelly.
You surprised fans when you
told Chelsea Handler in October that you’ve been sober your entire life. Do you
really not drink?
Let me tell you something. No, I don’t! I’ve never had a drink
in my life, but I got a little story for you that just literally happened to
me. I was performing at a private event, it was a wedding. One of the groom’s
kids ran up on the stage and she had a drink. I thought it was my drink that
they sent on stage for me. It turns out to be heralcoholic beverage. And I was
like, what is this? Turns out I had my first drink, unfortunately.
told Chelsea Handler in October that you’ve been sober your entire life. Do you
really not drink?
Let me tell you something. No, I don’t! I’ve never had a drink
in my life, but I got a little story for you that just literally happened to
me. I was performing at a private event, it was a wedding. One of the groom’s
kids ran up on the stage and she had a drink. I thought it was my drink that
they sent on stage for me. It turns out to be heralcoholic beverage. And I was
like, what is this? Turns out I had my first drink, unfortunately.
No way! What was it?
I don’t know! It tasted like sugar. At first I was like, is this
sparkly water? Because I’ve never had a drink. It was kinda watered down, which
might’ve saved me.
I don’t know! It tasted like sugar. At first I was like, is this
sparkly water? Because I’ve never had a drink. It was kinda watered down, which
might’ve saved me.
What’s your guiltiest
pleasure?
Probably not that guilty. Probably shopping, chocolate. Love,
love, love, love chocolate. This past holiday season all I did was eat
chocolate chip cookies that I would bake for my son. I don’t really do much.
pleasure?
Probably not that guilty. Probably shopping, chocolate. Love,
love, love, love chocolate. This past holiday season all I did was eat
chocolate chip cookies that I would bake for my son. I don’t really do much.
What’s one thing you do when
you’re alone that you wouldn’t do in front of someone else?
[Laughs.] Skip!
you’re alone that you wouldn’t do in front of someone else?
[Laughs.] Skip!
Is it okay to recline your
seat on an airplane?
You know what? I have a problem with that. Yes and no, you
should have the right to, but I never want to do it because I’m pushing back on
someone else. Eee-ee. And I’m a girl with long legs so, I’m on the fence. Even
in [first class], it’s [only] a little better. I get excited when I’m on the
last row and I’m like, it’s okay to recline back here. But any time I think
about it I kinda don’t want to extend my chair on someone.
seat on an airplane?
You know what? I have a problem with that. Yes and no, you
should have the right to, but I never want to do it because I’m pushing back on
someone else. Eee-ee. And I’m a girl with long legs so, I’m on the fence. Even
in [first class], it’s [only] a little better. I get excited when I’m on the
last row and I’m like, it’s okay to recline back here. But any time I think
about it I kinda don’t want to extend my chair on someone.
What or who is overrated right
now?
Girl, I can’t. Ooooh … Singing about the same old things in music is so
overrated. Sex, drinkin’, the club. Okay, especially sex. Like, we [are]
grown-ups, we ain’t got over that, like, really? Aren’t you too old for that
kind of thing? Can you talk about something else? I get annoyed with those
things. But I can’t answer the last question, ohhh though I want to.
now?
Girl, I can’t. Ooooh … Singing about the same old things in music is so
overrated. Sex, drinkin’, the club. Okay, especially sex. Like, we [are]
grown-ups, we ain’t got over that, like, really? Aren’t you too old for that
kind of thing? Can you talk about something else? I get annoyed with those
things. But I can’t answer the last question, ohhh though I want to.
When do you feel most at
peace?
I feel most at peace either when my son hugs me and cuddles me.
He holds mama. It’s so sweet. That. And, also, when I’m listening to just music
— no voice, just music. Like a piano or an instrument, just that is so
peaceful to me. Or if I’m playing with my closet at home. Yeah. Try to leave it
at that.
peace?
I feel most at peace either when my son hugs me and cuddles me.
He holds mama. It’s so sweet. That. And, also, when I’m listening to just music
— no voice, just music. Like a piano or an instrument, just that is so
peaceful to me. Or if I’m playing with my closet at home. Yeah. Try to leave it
at that.
