Jennifer Hudson...Something Like a Dream
- Shaleia Reid

Empress Magazine got the opportunity to interview the rising star of Dream Girls Jennifer Hudson.  In this revealing interview Jennifer talks about everything from “dropping” out of college to pursue her passion, how her life has changed since being propelled into the spotlight and future projects.

S.R: What gave you the courage to drop out of college?

Well, I don’t actually consider myself a college dropout, I consider myself a college fugitive. But I just got an opportunity and the reason why we go to school, you know is to get that career path and I had an opportunity to take it. So why would I not take that opportunity, and umh to do what I love to do in my career of singing and I had the opportunity to do a play and I took that chance. I believed in myself and went for it.

S.R: And it actually paid off, you were a finalist on American Idol and you are in Dream Girls now.

"Effie" was the underdog and pushed out of the spot light for the more mainstream looking lead, although she was a great singer and could hold the spotlight on her own, she was placed on the back burner. In real life it seems that the media was trying to do the same but is now realizing that you the break through star of this movie. The different worlds seem parallel, any thoughts on that.

I never really thought about it like that, or really even thought about it. I’m just happy to be in the movie, you know. Umh, but I think everyone did what we were supposed to do. We played the roles that we were supposed to be and its an ensemble piece, not so much of another sticking out. You know what I mean.

S.R: As far as your costars, did you have any special moment you shared with them?

Well every moment was something just being able to work with my favorite stars like Beyonce and Jamie Fox was special to me. So I can’t even began to pull out or pick out a certain moment

S.R: So there isn’t a specific thing y’all shared or like a joke you would continue for a week, like how you would with your girlfriends?

No we had a good time. Everyday every moment was something different and fun and we enjoyed each other’s company.

S.R: What role would you like to play next? And who would you like to play opposite of?

Wow, I would love to do something with Denzel Washington {laugh}. I want to do something more serious more, well, dramatic, umh; on story in particular I am interested in is the Jackie Robinson story.

S.R: Oh really, why would you pick Jackie Robinson’s story?

Cause you know when you read into it, I just think it is something that’s interesting and special and of course it is about our culture and history. I like to do things with substance and a meaning and I think it has great substance and a meaning.

S.R: Would you ever do a comedy?

Oh I would love to do a comedy, I think that would be more challenging next to doing a musical cause I think of course I haven’t had much experience in acting but just from learning and being apart of it I think that it is harder to do a musical and the comedy will follow behind. Unless action, but I’m not trying to do all of that

S.R: No flipping over or anything like that. What do you prefer more, if you prefer one over the other, is it singing or acting?

Music has always been my life and I would always pick music first, but then again acting has been so good to me {laugh} so I don’t know, but what I hope to do is continue to do them both and I hope I never have to choose.

S.R: Oh ok, that would be a challenge. What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?

First off, within the next two years I plan on going back to school because that is an ultimate goal for me to get my diploma. What else? Just continue doing what I am doing. I hope to be able to have longevity. I want to be around 10, 20 years from now and that is what I am hoping for.

S.R: So you want to become a legend ultimately?

Yup

S.R: Backtracking to college, what was your major?

I didn’t get to a major, in one because I didn’t want to major in music because never wanted to teach it. I couldn’t perform it then I wasn’t interested, but I took general courses. I was probably looking more into Art because I draw as well as sing

S.R: Now with you being a rising star and all the attention you are getting from the media, and being on TV and all of that. Have you run into any issues as far as in dating, and friend wise and family wise, have you lost any friends or is it a challenge balancing that?

For the most part my family and my friends, I still have the same people around me and they’ve watched me go through this, and know how bad I wanted it so they are all very supportive. I am very blessed to have a great and supportive background. I don’t think I am really faced with those issues, but from time to time you do run into people that just try to attach to you just because of who you are and what they can get from you and what they can accomplish. But eventually they get weeded out anyway.

S.R: Do you have any other projects coming up like, clothing, a linger line, perfume, something like that and what is in the future for you?

Well my album is next for me, but I don’t have anything like that coming up, but you gave me some ideas, I like that.

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