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Marian Wright Edelman: Still Hungry in America
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: Gigi on 2/05/2007 4:40AM
One of our basic rights as Americans is "Freedom of Speech." With that said, Jennifer Hudson has the right to speak and voice her opinions just as each of us are voicing our opinions. When I think of the industry, I think of all the "strong" individuals that persevered. This is a brutal industry and when I watched American Idol and remember Jennifer Hudson, I recall thinking that yes she could sing, but she was not ready. If my memory serves me correctly, Jennifer was in tears in a lot of the songs she sang. I think American Idol toughened her up a bit. Also, if you don't believe in yourself "who else will?" I also think that Jennifer would have made it regardless of American Idol. Look at the countless number of people that made it before American Idol aired. Jennifer demonstrated to never allow others to define you or tell you, you can succeed. Jennifer (and to all the will be's), continue to do your thang and never give up on your dreams!!!
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By: Yvonne on 2/05/2007 5:41AM
Yes,catergorizing her as the "heavyset" is not right. But like Effie, Jennifer needs to learn self-control. Yes she can sing! Yes she can even act. Jennifer needs to know there is a time and a place for everything. Now is not the time to put Ms. Holiday down, but the time to thank her for paving the way. Jennifer will learn like her character Effie did. Hopefully not the hard way. I can see her making records and movies. By watching what you say does not mean she can not speak her mind. Just be careful.
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By: Eliz Rhodes on 2/05/2007 9:54AM
I agree, she should keep her mouth shut about idol, it is because of idol, good, bad or indifferent that she had
the chance to be seen, she should not let herself be
manipulated like that. we need to wake up and smell the
coffee regarding the media. once you have said something it is there, you cannot take it back
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By: sterlynette mcintyre on 2/05/2007 4:37PM
I am very proud of Jennifer's accomplishments, however, I don't agree that she should keep bashing Idol the way she does. If not for Idol, she would still be an unknown struggling to make her dreams come true. And I do agree with a previous comment that her voice was not Idol worthy at the time during the competition. But, her vocals have vastly improved since the Idol days. The public voted her off, not Idol. Sure there were harsh comments, but we are not privvy to what went on behind the scenes. There are always three sides to every story - her side, Idol's side, and the truth.
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By: Tara (VA) on 2/06/2007 10:55PM
Why is it that when someone makes it that people just can't be happy for other people. Jennifer may have weight on her but what does that have to do with her talent. Kelly Price is another victim. The problem is that society makes people think people are suppose to be a certain way. God made us all different for a reason. To the person who said she was untalented "What do you have as an talent?" Can you sing? Stop bashing someone because things aren't going your way. If she has something to say about IDOL and Idol was wrong she has every right to say how she feels. It's like taking her first amendment from her. I love to watch American Idol and I like Simon, But Simon can be very harsh at times thats why we watch it. Not to say that he's right for the way he talks to people but its entertainment. We've all had someone to say something to us that hurt us or made us second guess ourselves but was it done nationally. Let Jennifer shine. It's her time, it's overdue and she has earned it. People start worrying about how you can improve your own lives.
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By: Jasmine Dismuke on 2/05/2007 7:06AM
I agree about the heavyset thing. She's not even big. She's a beautiful woman. And I don't understand about why everyone is jumping on her about what she said about Jennifer Holliday. She's just stating how she feels. Last time I checked I thought we had freedom of speech. If that's how she feels...then that's how she feels. And agree about what she said about American Idol. That show is garbage. If she see what they make you go through just to get to Paula, Randy and Simon...you would agree. And you would wonder how the hell the people that sound so bad get on the show because nobody in those lines for the auditions sound that bad at all. Those people are getting paid or something.
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By: MONA on 2/05/2007 7:06AM
JENNIFER NEEDS A PUBLICIST TO SHUT HER MOUTH. I AM A BIG FAN OF HERS. BUT SHE IS BEGINNING TO SOUND AND ACT LIKE A DIVA. SHE NEEDS TO COUNT HER BLESSINGS AND BE HUMBLE LIKE THE BIBLE TELLS US. SHE BETTER READ THAT ACCOUNT ABOUT NEBUCAHDNEZZAR WHO GOT HUMBLED REAL FAST. SHE IS VERY TALENTED. BUT ATTITUDE AND BIGHEADNESS WILL MAKE YOU LOSEFANS FAST QUICK AND A HURRY. AND TO TALK ABOUT A LEGEND LIKE J HOLLIDAY. SHE DONE LOST HER DAM MIND. RESPECT YOUR ELDERS WHO PAVED THE WAY.
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By: Vernita on 2/05/2007 9:21AM
I believe Jennifer is a very humbly person...and is grateful for all the opportunities she has....she has every right to speak about what happened to her...if she feels...so to warn others that maybe thinking about audtioning for American Idol...Jennifer keep up the Good work and be Blessed....
Jennifer we all are proud of you....
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By: yvonne on 2/06/2007 4:04PM
See, thats whats wrong with people. You get to a certain place and then you lose yourself!!!!!!!!!!!! Jennifer dont have to shut her mouth!!! A closed mouth never gets fed!!! She has a right as a citizen and a human being to voice her thoughts and views. She was thrown a ? and she gave the answer!Thats whats wrong with people who are and arent celebrities. You think about what you should have said but then its too late.You become a puppet to a certain extent.Letting people say and do what they want without saying a word because it may not get you to where you need or want to be!!! Thats crazy. She didnt trash the people who listened to her what she did was voice her opinion. There is nothing wrong with that.Not standing up for yourself gets you one thing SCREWED!!!!! and further more all she did was make the Idol judges who trashed her and told her she would never make it eat their own words. Now think about it, it was ok for them to voice their opinions about her because they run American Idol but she must SHUT her mouth when someone asks about them? its a two way street and I hope she keeps her voice strong and heard ,that way she wont be jilted on contracts and others will think more than twice before they f&*k with her!!!!! Jennifer you do your thing girl, hate is all over but all you got to do is brush your shoulders off and keep your head high!!!!!!!!!!! You stole the show!!!!!!!!!!!
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By: MONA on 2/05/2007 7:33AM
FIRST OF ALL TO YOU PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT PEOPLE ARE HATERS OBVIOUSLY YOU UNDER THE AGE OF 25. WHEN YOU GROW UP YOU WILL REALIZE. FIRST OF ALL YOU DONT DISRESPECT YOUR ELDERS. AND SECOND THERE IS A TIME A PLACE TO RUN YOUR BIG MOUTH. HUMBLENESS IS GOLDEN. WHY DO PEOPLE THINK ACTING A FOOL IS A WAY OF LIFE. GET REAL.. WE ALL HAVE A JOBS WE DIDNT LIKE OR ETC... BUT THAT DOESNT MEAN YOU ACT A DAM FOOL ON YOUR JOB WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS SIGNING YOUR PAYCHECK. LIFE IS NOT FAIR AND EASY IT TAKES A BIGGER PERSON TO BE HUMBLE AND GRATEFUL. AND IF SOMEONE WANTS ME TO SPEND MY MONEY ON THEM AT LEAST BE GREATFUL AND ACT LIKE A PERSON WITH SENSE. YOU DONT HAVE TO KISS ASS. JUST ACT LIKE YOU HAVE DIGNITY AND RESPECT ABOUT YOURSELF AND OTHERS.AND YOU DONT HAVE TO COMMENT ON EVERYDANG THING THAT IS ASKED.AND STOP USING THAT STUPID WORD HATERS. US GROWN FOLKS KNOW WHAT THE HELL WE TALKING ABOUT.
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