From American Idol to The Voice UK, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will be tearing up the G-A-Y stage at Heaven this Saturday night. But who really is the woman they call J-Hud?
Jennifer Hudson: In her own Voice
When you come seventh on American Idol – or any of those shows – the future can’t look that rosy, be honest. And yet Jennifer Hudson, who not only did that badly but also got the worst tongue-lashing Simon Cowell has ever given out, is arguably now the most successful American Idol contestant of all time, with an Oscar, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, a Grammy and, most importantly, a judging spot on The Voice UK, to her name.
From singing on a cruise ship to losing big style on TV, it was Dreamgirls that turned it all around for Jennifer, playing Effie and – so they said at the time – outshining Beyoncé and beating her to that Oscar!
Among the hits and the awards and the bit parts in Sex and the City movies and the Broadway shows (she won a second Grammy for playing Shug in the musical version of The Color Purple) came personal tragedy when her mother, nephew and brother were murdered in 2008.
But you cannot keep a good diva down and now she’s back on top of the world with that Voice gig, a new single and album, and a show at G-A-Y to showcase them. Here’s what Jennifer had to say on her glittering career, in her own words…
On being a bit irritating…
‘I’m always, always singing. You cannot stop me. I do it all day, every day, and have done ever since I was a baby. But I would be too afraid to sing [in public]. I didn’t start singing with my eyes open until I was 19 years old.’
On the murder of her mother, brother and nephew…
‘I have definitely seen the highest of highs and the lowest of the lows. You don’t know how strong you are until you are placed in that kind of moment. I don’t really know what else to say… My mother always told me no matter how negative your life seems to be, you must always look for a positive.’
On how she wasn’t bothered about American Idol when it started…
‘To start with I was like, “Whatever”, but when Kelly Clarkson won the first series I was literally nauseous. I realised it could be for real. I was beating myself up that I didn’t go and audition.’
On not winning American Idol…
‘It was better to lose, in some ways. When I went to audition for Dreamgirls, I was still in that “I am not going to let anything stop me” kind of mood.’
On her personal twerking skills…
‘One of the times that actually, at Pharrell’s birthday party, Miley happened to be there and she twerked for me, and I tried to do it and nothing but my knee was moving. No, I cannot twerk. But I’m going to work on it…’
On stepping up, even when Beyoncé is in the room…
‘I was like, “Beyoncé, I’m your biggest fan, but right now, it’s my turn. I’ve got to get on and do my job here.” We’re all just people at the end of the day. And you bet I grabbed the opportunity [of Dreamgirls].’
On putting on weight to play Effie in Dreamgirls…
‘Jennifer’s a very healthy eater. I only eat chicken, fish and turkey, no fried foods. I don’t even drink soda. But for Effie, I had to change it a little bit and eat cookies and cakes and pies at all the wee hours of the night, and I got away with it because I had to gain and maintain the weight. Anytime I lost an inch, [wardrobe] was like, “Nope, you gotta go back up!”’
On playing for gay audiences…
‘It’s just so fun. I really enjoy myself… You can just give it. It’s that type of audience, so you shouldn’t hold back. And I try not to!’
On singing And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going for the gays…
‘The song has its own spirit. It has an effect on everyone, but definitely on the gay community. I think they relate to it in a different type of way – in a special way. A lot of gay men I’ve met, they’re like, “In my heart, I am Effie.” I relate to Effie, and I think that’s part of the connection.’
On what she loves about the gays…
‘What I’ve always admired about the gay community is the independence and the confidence. Just that attitude. I’m so inspired by that, and I feel like, for me, that is my connection.’
Jennifer Hudson is at G-A-Y this Saturday 25 March, 10.30pm – 5am.
G-A-Y at Heaven, Under the Arches, off Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NG.
Entry is £6 with a wristband from the G-A-Y Bar.
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