Just Asking...Jennifer Hudson
John Jurgensen - Associated Press
Sep 29, 2008
Jennifer Hudson made her breakthrough in music four years ago as a contestant on "American Idol," then went on to become known for her film roles, especially her Oscar-winning turn as Effie in the musical "Dreamgirls." But when it came to recording her debut album, Ms. Hudson felt she had to introduce herself. "Everybody knows the characters I've played, but they don't know Jennifer Hudson as a person," she says.
On her self-titled album, she's chosen to represent herself with varied styles, from gospel to romantic R&B and the hip-hop rhythms of "Pocketbook," in which she threatens to wallop an overeager suitor with her purse. In the coming film "The Secret Life of Bees," set in 1960s South Carolina, Ms. Hudson plays a fugitive who finds welcome on a honey farm. She co-stars with Dakota Fanning, Alicia Keys and Queen Latifah.
WSJ: Whether it's covering familiar songs on "American Idol" or performing as characters in films, you've spent a lot of time channeling other people. Did that make it hard to define yourself on the album?
Ms. Hudson: I have a great sense of who I am and I've never been one to duplicate or imitate. What was challenging was that because of the award for "Dreamgirls" and the attention from the film, it added pressure on me - not in the acting, but in the music. I've been singing music from other artists that came from a different time and I'm always compared to them. So it's been challenging to be me and be current, while still connecting to everything I've portrayed so far. It would make me nervous when I'd walk the streets. It's all different kinds of people approaching me, and I'd think, "What am I offering all of them?"
Q: Do you feel like you're playing a movie role when you're singing these songs? Or have I just seen too many movie montages?
A: Sometimes the songs have characters to them and it can be looked at that way. It's emotion more than anything. If I'm acting I want it to come from somewhere real. I have to connect to something in reality. It's the same way with music.
Q: You grew up singing in the church and there's some gospel on the album. Are there any risks to including a song like "Jesus Promised Me a Home Over There" on the same album as "Pocketbook"?
A: That's a huge part of what I am, the biggest part. I chose that song in particular because that's where I come from.
Q: There's a scene in "The Secret Life of Bees" where you're singing "Break-A-Way" by Irma Thomas in the kitchen. Was that in the script?
A: Sometimes I wasn't even sure. We sang lots of songs on the set. I said, "If you have me singing another time, you're going to have me in a musical." It was (my character) Rosaleen singing, it wasn't Jennifer's voice.
Q: You're singing in character?
A: Me, I'm very serious about how I sing every note. For Rosaleen, it's all about the joy of the moment. It was just doodling. But I was glad that more music didn't go in. I didn't want another singing role. I wanted to be a character.
Q: Your song from "Dreamgirls," "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," is included on your album. What's the hardest part about singing that song?
A: I don't consider that song to be the proper way of singing. The high notes are not hard. But there's a lot of what I call dirty tones - rough, edgy notes. It calls for the right execution to get it across. There's many ways you could approach the song, but it has to be portrayed that way. It's not just a song, it's Effie's story. There's a more correct way that I'd prefer to sing it. But you can't cuss someone out without the conviction behind it.
Q: Will that be that be the signature song you'll be singing forever?
A: It looks like that will be the case whether I want to or not. I'm glad I have a song like that. And I hope to have more.
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Copyright 2008 by Associated Press
