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: MARCY on 2/02/2007 3:00PM
Jennifer Stay humble; you haven't "made it" yet. Don't burn your bridges; you never know when you might need to cross them again. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Notice how the professionals proclaim all of the other pros as their best friends. Always SMILE in public and hold in your true emotions until you are in a really trusted environment. You are on a roll; keep your career going with only positive words and attitudes. SMILE, SMILE, SIMLE!!!
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By: T-child on 2/02/2007 6:18PM
I think that she should not bash Simon now that she's made it. If it were not for the show and Simon for that matter, would we really even know who the hell she is? Come on! So many acresses could have played that role. She's a cheap hire! New kid on the block. I really hope that she doesn't let this get to her head and crash and burn. All of this hooplah could very well be temporary. We may all remember her as the idol who used Idol, then, when things went her way, she bashed the show.. How do other producers know that she won't do the same thing to them? Humble pie Jennifer.. Humble pie.
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By: ADE ("ah-day") on 2/02/2007 6:01PM
BRAVO #8!!! You're right-there's no reason why the negative side of a show shouldn't be brought to the forfront. Like you and others have said, yes, "American Idol" gave Jennifer a chance, but that does not justify the callous, unkind emotional "bashing" from Simon Cowell! His attitude is stereotypical of the common believe that the British are SNOBS!!! He seems to me to be a prime example. Criticism has its positive points; however, being overly caustic can be quite detrimental to one's self-esteem. Yes, there is a bit of rejection to swallow when one is trying to make his way in the field of the arts, but some people take advantage of that to satisfy their needs to be nasty! Jennifer...YOU GO GIRL!! I was one of those who stood up and clapped for you several times in the theater. You're gonna' go far, Beautiful Black Woman!!!!
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By: Teri on 2/03/2007 10:44AM
I agree with robert whole heartedly, Ms Hudson has an opportunity only a few get in life and should just be thankful that America is a lot more tolerant of weight and race these days. Ms. Holiday, whom I have loved since the original and brought all of her albums even after Dreamgirls, was forever pigeonedholed as a fat singer who had to perform the same song,and songs that sounded like that because of her weight, and even when she lost the weight she was still plagued because of the superficial atitude of our society. I pray for any of our stars that they can remain humble even with all the glare that the glitter provides.
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By: Vanessa on 2/02/2007 3:34PM
I didn't like the word used to describe her either. When you put something like that first then you add the talent you make her seem second best. She is now a size 12. I think it's a great size. Like she says herself "It's unhealthy" to be skin and bones. I think she looks good. Very good to have been a size 22 and has a great looking body and she's working to tone which is totally great. More power to you Jennifer. Keep following your dreams baby.
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By: Michael on 2/02/2007 3:38PM
Hey, people! Y'all know that Hudson put on an extra 20 pounds to play the role, right? Amazing, huh?
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0443489/trivia
And, Robert, bud, get off the Cate Blanchett wagon. Yeah, she's an outstanding actress, but she wasn't the best one this year. Hudson did much better than Blanchett as did Adriana Barraza in Babel. And Barraza has been around a lot longer than Blanchett, so she's even more deserving that Blanchett if you look at it as who has been acting suberbly longer. However, we both know that Hudson's name will be in that Academy envelope. So, please, lighten up on the Blanchett worship.
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By: Criss on 2/02/2007 4:02PM
Reading through the comments showed how much people look for anything to break someone down. Jennifer Hudson is a wonderful singer and an acclaimed actress in the making. Nothing that she has done, or nothing that she does in the future should prevent her from making comments about her experiences, and/ or voicing her opinion. I say "Jennifer countinue to shine...Conratulations....and Job well done!!!!"
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By: Dreamacia on 2/02/2007 5:51PM
Dream says stop hating on Jennifer and mind your business cause the girl got talent and can't nobody stop her flow so just mind your business!KEep on doing your thing Jennifer,you got talent and Dreamacia says never stop yo flow!Much Success to YA!P.s. Got YOur Back Dreamacia
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By: Melinda on 2/02/2007 6:05PM
Please don't criticize her for telling the truth. Jennifer was one of my favorite idols and she went through hell on and off the camera because of her appearance. Once she got the feel of what they were looking for on American Idol, she came out and gave 110%. But that still wasn't good enough because of her size and the style of clothing that she chose. Instead of uplifting her and encouraging her in her challenge with weight, stage presence, showmanship, and whatever else, they chose to take every opportunity to tell her that she just didn't have what it takes to be a star. It wasn't until her last performance that she got any prompts from the judges. And just when they saw her for the star that she is, I think that a higher power intervened and removed her from that mentally abusive situation and prepared her for bigger better things to come (Dreamgirls). Yes, she could have walked away from Idol but if overweight people walked away every time that they are put down, they would never get ahead. Face it, image is everything in society today. So I tip my hat to Jennifer for hanging in there with American Idol. It shows that she is not a quitter. And now I know the Idol judges and producers are kicking themselves for not acknowledging this "diamond in rough". And for those of you who don't know, Ms. Holliday has indirectly attacked Jennifer Hudson only because she felt like she should have been automatically given the role of Effie. So good for Hudson, for standing up for herself.
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By: Janis Murrell on 2/02/2007 6:55PM
I agree concerning Ms. Hudson's attitude. Anyone that has ever auditioned for a part know that the judges are curt and many times brutal in their assessments. I agree with Simon about 99% of the time as an artist. She was not the best that day with her rendition of a Manilow song. Simon did not put her off idol, America did and her burst of temper at him for his comments contributed to her demise. Ms. Hudson lacks humility in the face of stars who paved the path for her to be all she can be in the arts. She could take a page from Oprah's life on giving homage to those artists that paved the road for their success. The world is full of one hit wonders.
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