Jennifer Hudson recently sat for a photoshoot and interview with the UK Daily Mail and discussed a myriad of personal topics. She opened up about her son David Jr., her life as a successful recording artist, discrimination in the industry, how her weight loss has inspired others, and how she remained determined even after the tragic deaths of her mother, brother and nephew.
On if the industry discriminates against plus-sized women:
‘No, because I was doing OK before,’ Jennifer says. ‘But the truth is, so many more opportunities open up when you’re on the other side, as I am now. I’d no idea what I was missing out on. It’s like a whole other world. Suddenly every designer wants to dress you. It’s like, “You look amazing! Please, choose a dress. Have a bag. And what about shoes?” I mean, wow!’
On being successful:
‘To be able to sing at this level is a blessing in itself, and I got publicity for what I was doing before I dieted. But never to this extent. Now, whenever I open a magazine, I seem to see myself there. And I get to dress up every day and have someone take photos of it all. For someone who loves fashion, it’s like living the dream. Of course there are those mornings when I think, “Please don’t look at me right now!” But you just have to pull yourself together, get out there and do your job. I mean, how lucky am I to be in this position?’
On being a mother:
‘When it’s mommy time at home, the supermodel me – black Barbie, as I call her – is definitely not in the house. I don’t want to be all glammed-up in big hair and full make-up. I need to relax, to breathe and to concentrate on my son.’
On the tragic shooting death of her mother, brother and nephew:
‘You have no choice but to keep going,’ she says quietly. ‘What else are you going to do? It’s called life and you’ve got to be prepared to deal with whatever it brings your way.’
On moving past disappointment:
‘“Don’t block your blessings. Don’t let doubt stop you from getting where you want to be.” Those were the lessons that I took from American Idol,’ says Jennifer. ‘“OK, from now on I refuse to let anyone interrupt the vision I have for myself.” Sometimes I think we hurt ourselves by being too aware of the challenges. It can be better not to know. With Dreamgirls, I had absolutely no idea what I was letting myself in for until I was out there on the set.’
On David Jr.:
‘He’s very much his own person, a little performer who loves to sing and dance,’ she says. ‘He’s so charming, too. Yes, I’m biased, but I’ve never seen a child with such presence. He says “hi” or “bye bye” to everyone when he comes in or out of a room, and goes round blowing kisses to everyone. My phone is completely backed up from videoing everything he does, because he surprises me constantly. ‘When I found out I was pregnant and went for the scan, he was so very little. To have that memory fresh in my mind and yet to now have this boy with me, dancing and laughing…’
