Life has certainly been a dream for Jennifer Hudson, the Chicago native with the big voice, who rose from the ashes of reality TV to become an Oscar winner and global superstar. This month the spotlight will once again shine on the singer when she releases her debut album.
I’m loving your new single Spotlight’ what made you go with that as a first single?
I just trusted Clive’s (Davis) professional expertise and his decision to make it the first single. And because Dreamgirls and Sex & The City both have such a huge following, I think it’s a great introduction that targets everyone rather than just box me into one specific genre.
So what can we expect from the rest of the album?
I would have to say it’s more experimental than anything – I don’t like limits. A lot of times when you have a big voice people expect you to just sing big ballads. But that’s not true in my case; I can give a lot of variety and that’s what I’ll be showing on my album
Who are you working with on the album?
Wow, let’s see, well I’m working with Timbaland, Robin Thicke. Diane Warren, Missy Elliot. I worked with some great artist and writers.
You’ve had such an interesting journey of highs and lows over the last few years. How did you pick yourself up following your early departure from American Idol?
I always look at things like if it’s meant for me it’s meant for me. It clearly wasn’t meant for me to win the show. And now I’m so glad that I didn’t win, and I truly believe Fantasia should have won that season. But I love the way things have turned out instead.
Would you encourage up and coming young singers to go the reality show route, by appearing on shows such as American Idol?
Oh yeah! Shows like American Idol and the X-Factor are like a boot camp for the industry. If you can’t take the experience of the criticism from those shows then you’re definitely not cut out for the real deal industry because it can be really harsh, it’s just as bitter. These shows warm you up and brace you for what’s to come.
Simon was very critical of you on the show. Did you get that personal apology from him?
Yes I did. He apologised to me when I was going on the Oprah show, and I think when I was going to the Oscars he congratulated me on the nomination.
I guess a lot of people are happy to see him eat humble pie
I know, right. A lot of people say that.
Have you met Leona Lewis as yet?
Not yet, but I so love that girl. I would love for her and I to do a duet.
Are you into any other British artists?
I love, love, love Adele! I was home one day and was watching music videos and her video came on and I was like, “wow, who’s that artist?”
Do you ever feel pressure to slim down considering that thin is the industry standard at the moment?
No. I say why fix something that’s not broke? Plus sized people, curvy sized people, whatever you wanna call it, we all need someone to look up to, and I don’t mind being that person who says it’s okay to be who you are and all you are. I’m just an average size person. I was out the other day and saw this poor lady who looked anorexic and was all skin and bones. That was very sad because somebody embedded in her head that she needs to be a size zero so she’s killing herself walking around concerned with being thin. To me that’s so sad.
Do you read gossip blogs, and how do you react to unflattering comments about yourself?
[Laughs] Actually I do! I have a bad habit of doing that. With regards to comments about me, it depends on what they say. The first thing I always tell myself is, ‘They don’t know me’. If they knew me then maybe I’d be offended, but they can’t really judge me. You can only go on what you think you know.
You still live in Chicago; do you think you’ll ever move to somewhere like LA?
You know what? I’d rather not live someplace like LA because I don’t like the unrealistic nature of it. Everyone is walking around with a plastic face or is a size zero or size 2 - that’s not normal to me. I’m from Chicago, it don’t get no more normal than that. I’m used to seeing people of all shapes and sizes with their natural features.
What’s the best and worse thing about being a celebrity?
Okay, I can answer the worse thing first. There is no privacy. There are times when you don’t wanna be bothered, or if I’m just trying to come out the house to go to dinner. Like for instance the other day I was out with friends trying to have lunch and we couldn’t. We had to leave the restaurant because the waiters couldn’t do their jobs; it turned into a bad situation. We had to get up and leave and sit in the car and be hungry [laughs]. It’s like we don’t have a chance to have a off day. I’m Jennifer Hudson 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and that’s the downside. The upside is that there’s really nothing else to complain about - I’m blessed to do what I do.
Are you still engaged?
I was never engaged! Everybody is trying to marry me off and I’m like ‘Why is that?’ But no I’m not engaged but I’m dating. My work is my main focus at the moment.
The album Jennifer Hudson is out on September 29th
