Why Brains Of Obese People Are Different From Those With…
Meet The Clutch's Less Expensive Cousin
By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
She may be on the road to Oscar gold, but 'Dreamgirls' star Jennifer Hudson isn't pulling any punches getting there.
The heavyset Chicago native, who is nominated for a Best Supporting Actress trophy at this year's Academy Awards, tells 'Essence' magazine that her experience on the top rated televised talent competition, 'American Idol,' was "abusive."
"On 'American Idol,' you go through this mental thing," she said in a revealing interview with 'Essence' contributor Denene Milner -- to be published in the magazine's March edition.
"You've been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think. You become a character ... I just knew I had to sing my way out of it."
"I don't believe in looking back, and I didn't look back."
This is coming from the woman who Simon Cowell lambasted when her version of Barry Manilow's "Weekend in New England" got her booted off the hit show.
"You get one shot ...you ain't never gonna be seen again," he scolded.
Well, as we all know -- she's getting the last laugh and possibly will gain more notoriety than any of the actual winners of 'American Idol.'
"The show couldn't take away my talent," Hudson said.
That's true. Everyone from Oprah Winfrey to BV Buzz columnist Jawn Murray -- who broke the news that Hudson was cast in the starring 'Dreamgirls' role -- is singing her praises every opportunity they can get.
Earlier this week, she appeared on 'Oprah' singing her Oscar nominated song 'Love You I Do.' It was there that she revealed plans to sing during the international telecast, and go into the studio for her J Records debut in March.
Hudson also had words about original 'Dreamgirls' star Jennifer Holliday, who have been making the media rounds about the movie -- and making sure people don't forget her legacy. (The two-time Grammy Award winner and one-time Tony Award winner's original version of the song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is etched into music history as a preeminent tour de force.)
"First off, don't let that be the only song you're performing. Pursue other things and don't just limit yourself to that. I don't intend to say, '[OK], I'm going to sing this song for the rest of my life, and this will be the only character that I portrayed.' I'm Jennifer, not Effie. I'm flexible and different and have other dreams and other goals and songs to pursue."
Wow wee.
BV Extras:
-- Broadway and television veteran Roz Ryan took over the role of Effie in the original Broadway production of 'Dreamgirls'. Find out what the diva dished about the role, past and present here.
Comments: (603)
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By: Sam on 2/04/2007 9:54PM
keep your head up baby. you got it and you can make it anywhere. Sing your heart out because that's what you do. It's always going be someone out there trying too bring you down. (YOU GO GIRL KEEP ON SINGING TOO ME LOVE YOU YOUR # 1 Fan )
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By: coretta on 2/05/2007 10:44PM
iam happy for ms hudson but she do need too check her attitude and yes she has a nice voice but she has nothing on ms holiday
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By: LUVLUV on 2/04/2007 11:58PM
I agree with Jennifer Hudson's points however, there is a time, place, season and a certain way to do and express everything under the SON/sun.
The Bible says, "It is humility before honor and pride before a fall." On The Oprah Show Jennifer Hudson said she humbled herself and prayed and asked GOD to give her the part of Effi in the movie Dreamgirls and HE did. GOD honored her prayer. GOD shined HIS LIGHT on Jennifer Hudson and He answered her prayers. However in the Essence article it sounds like she's shinning the light on American Idol and what they did or did not do. She could have focused the Essence article more on what the LORD has done and how he used American Idol and Simon to make her strong for HIS purpose and destiny.
GOD deserves all the glory for her amazing story not American Idol. GOD used Idol without it's permission to give Jennifer Hudson a vehicle on which to showcase her talent and develop enough confidence to pursue higher heights. After being broken by Idol and Simon in-front of millions nothing can break Jennifer Hudson's spirit now. After Idol, she was ready for the world. If she looks at every situation from now on through GOD's eye's she will see that she is not a victim of American Idol she is a VICTOR. She's got the VICTORY because she turned a negative situation into a positive experience.
With the right guidance, counsel, and team Jennifer Hudson will soon learn the art of getting her point across without having to share the unnecessary details and putting people down along the way. I am not saying that she should not speak her truth because she should. I think it's healthy for her to do so. The truth will set her free however there is a way for her to speak her truth about people and situations so that others will learn from her testimony and GOD will get the GLORY in the process.
The Bible say's, What the devil meant for bad GOD will work it out for your good. "Be slow to speak and quick to listen." Evidently, American Idol hurt Jennifer a lot more than what we know and I am not ignoring her pain however I would simply like to encourage Ms. Hudson to continue to focus more on what the LORD has done that is good, and not what American Idol did that was bad.
Now as far as Jennifer Hudson's comment about Jennifer Holiday is concerned I agree with Robert (Comment #14) that "Maybe there are opportunities afforded to Ms. Hudson today that a "heavyset" girl like Ms. Holiday didn't have in her heyday."
Ms. Hudson is in the unique position of having the choice to bring life back to Ms. Holiday's career. Jennifer Hudson can restore Jennifer Holiday back to power if she decides to speak encouraging words over her and include her or simply do a duet with her. Jennifer Holiday is a preachers kid. They are both believers. I believe that God named Jennifer Hudson (J. H.) as a hint, symbol and sign for her to help restore Jennifer Holiday (J. H.) back to the life and HIS LIGHT.
We should restore each other back to power if we've lost our way in some way. It does not matter how old or young JUST DO IT! Now that's GOD's LOVE in action and anything else is selfishness and self-centered ness in action. Restoration maybe our assignment in a person's life. GOD has got a plan, and HIS plan is always GOOD and it will give us a hope and a future. SEEK GOD'S WILL AND PLAN PERIOD NOT YOUR OWN. MUCH LOVE
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By: Debra on 2/05/2007 8:53AM
I'm happy for Jennifer and by not winning on American Idol was a stepping stone for her.It gave her the exposure to stardom. But, to belittle another person is wrong. If I can remember awhile back I believe Jennifer Holliday made a negative remark about another singer singing the same song that she sung in 'Dreamgirls'and it wasn't nice and no one is defending that. For Jennifer Hudson, I would personally would like to say that her talent is a God given talent and she is from a singing gospel family don't forget where your talent came from. You can be hot one day and cold the next day. It's weird that they both share the same initals.
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By: Johnny on 2/05/2007 1:18AM
I totally agree with Jennifer Hudson on pursing other options in the entertainment industry, however, Jennifer Holiday, after Dreamgirls, has recorded more than a few albums, has appeared on many television shows and has done many different singing engagements (No cruise ships). Perhaps to many, Ms. Holiday's star may not have burnt as bright as Ms. Hudson's, but due to Ms. Holiday, Ms. Hudson's star burns bright. Ms. Holiday was the major force in creating the Effie White character. I love you Jennifer Hudson, but don't step on too many toes. Hollywood and the entertainment industry will love you today and forget about you tomorrow. Clive Davis also produced one of Ms. Holidays CD's, in which she re-recorded Angela Bofill's "I'm on your side." This was a great CD for Holiday but Clive and/or his company did not give this product the push that it merit. Which proofs that everything that Clive Davis turns to gold. I saw on E.T. that Ms. Holiday will attend the Oscar's in support of Ms. Hudson. Jennifer Holiday is a classy lady. I believe that Jennifer Hudson will win her 1st Oscar due to her talent and due to the road prepared and traveled 25 years old on Broadway, the original Dreamgirls- Jennifer Holiday, Loretta Devine and Sheryl Lee Ralph should be proud of their baby. I hope that Ms. Hudson will remember the original Dreamgirls along with the many thank you's, as she holds the golden lady in her hands.
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By: Johnny on 2/05/2007 1:20AM
oops, I need a proof reader, I meant to say that "everything that Clive Davis touches, does not turn to gold!"
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By: Ms. Smith on 2/05/2007 11:07AM
Heavyset? Okay the character was but Jenifer is not. She lost the weight she gained for the role. Geesh! If a size 10 is heavyset then we are all doomed. That is not even plus sized. Also, she has been as graceful as anyone could possilbly be. Peopla have been saying all sorts of irrelevant things about her--including Jennifer Holliday who is quite frankly a little sad these days. She is showing that she has brains to go with all of that talent. Kudos!
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By: JETTA on 2/05/2007 2:12AM
First of all I don't understand all the hype about Jennifer Hudson . She can sing but her voice does nothing for me. Having a big voice is okay but when I listen to her I don't feel one drop of soul in her singing. I don't feel moved one bit. When I saw her performance on Aretha Franklin's salute, I was not impressed at all. After seeing the film dreamgirls I feel the only reason people liked the JENIFER HOLIDAY song was due to the fact she was half bent over singing the song.Everytime I hear that song on the radio it makes me want to vomit. Her vocal control needs some work.If I wanted to hear heavy breathing I could have crank called myself. If I have to hear Jennifer say I can't believe this is happening to me speech again I'm going to throw myself off the bridge. You have been blessed by success so work on yourself and continue to improve your onstage delivery. Find your own style and some new material. Please let that bs about AI go.Who cares what Simon said.Any given moment in our lives their is someone who discourages us from our dreams. But are you going to discuss that bully in the 3rd grade or that teacher that always had it in for you. Believe or not God has a devine plan. Where would you be if you won AI. So stop bitching and be thankful beacause God's plan is far greater than yours.
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By: Eric on 2/05/2007 2:36AM
I personally think that mentioning Jennifer is heavyset is more of a compliment and shows that it really doesn't matter what your size is, if you have the talent it will shine regardless. I encourage her to continue to speak her mind keeping it to yourself will only drive you crazy later in life because of I could've / should've.
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By: Karla M. Snyder on 2/05/2007 3:25AM
Jennifer
God has blessed you with a beautiful voice and a talent to act.
Some folks will encourage you and some will try to discourage you but when God blesses you no one can curse you. It ain't what man says it's what God says.
They are calling you a DIVA but as I tell my granddaughters, a "DIVA" is beautiful on the outside but most importantly a "DIVA" is beautiful on the inside.
Stay humble, put and keep God first and keep your head to the sky. Put and keep your faith and trust in God because He won't leave you nor forsake you.
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