Gal pals Kelly Rowland and Jennifer Hudson were a hit when Hudson made a guest stop on ‘X Factor UK’ during Rowland’s stint on the show .
Now, this week saw diva duo reunited for Hudson’s feature in ‘Michigan Avenue’ magazine, a Chicagoan publication that shed light on the ‘Spotlight’ singer’s achievements since leaving the Illinois metro.
With Rowland on hand as guest interviewer, read excerpts from the chat below:
Via Michigan Avenue:
Kelly Rowland: You’ve inspired so many women with your transformation through Weight Watchers. What has kept you motivated?
Jennifer Hudson: Well first of all, I had no idea so many people were watching. I thought I could do this all by myself and nobody was paying attention. I also played tricks on myself, like, Hmm, let’s look at myself like a piece of art and sculpt myself the way I want to be. And I knew if each day I did something, it just made that much more of a difference.
KR: Let’s talk about your son, David Jr. What’s the most difficult part about being a mother, and what is your greatest joy in your relationship with your son?
JH: My greatest joy—let me answer that first. Oh goodness, it’s so overwhelmingly beautiful. He’s got so much personality. I’ve learned that you can never understand how much your parents love you until you become a parent yourself.
KR: What’s the greatest thing you want him to learn from you?
JH: I’ve always said the greatest thing my mother ever gave her children was bringing us up in church and giving us to Christ—that is the best thing I can possibly give him. And family—we are huge family people.
KR: I love it. Moving to music, you’ve collaborated with artists like Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Ne-Yo, Leona Lewis, and recently Prince. I saw that on YouTube, and the funniest moment was when the lights went away, but I still saw you in the shadow and you freak out completely. How was that moment, and who would you like to collaborate with next?
JH: First of all, I love Prince, like I love Whitney, like I love Destiny’s Child. There are very few people who will leave me speechless. Prince is one of those people, so being up there on that stage was so surreal to me. Before I knew it I was hollering; I was up there, like, screaming because I am such a fan… like I love him. And that was such a dream and an honor to be able to do that with him. Who else would I love? Well, you and I have to sing together, first of all. Who else? You know who I want to sing with? One day I want to do a Christmas song with Barbra Streisand.
KR: That would be an incredible duo. You bring up Whitney Houston. Watching you the day after her passing when you performed “I Will Always Love You” at the Grammys—how did you get through that? As soon as I heard you say “If I,” it was over for me.
JH: That was so hard. I did break down during the rehearsal. But I could hear my mom in my head—she used to always fuss at me, “You’re always crying. Stop crying, stop crying!” So I’m like, Okay, I can’t get up here and start crying. But how could you not? It was so much to take in; I just had to try to remove myself out of it the best I could. I always say if God brings me to it, I have no choice but to be prepared, so I’m going to get through it.
KR: Well, you got through it, and it was so beautiful. And I have a note here that you’re getting inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame! How do you seamlessly transition between acting and singing—and how excited are you about that? I want to be there on that day; girl, I would go crazy.
JH: The transition from singing to acting… Everything comes from a real place. When I did Dreamgirls, those were real tears. I just found ways to put that in that moment and make it as real to me as possible. And everything is connected to music. Music helps me find any emotion, no matter what scene I’m preparing for. I can’t do anything without it being honest, not a thing. As for the Hollywood Walk of Fame star… I cried like a baby when I heard that. First I thought I was hearing things. It reminded me of when I won my Oscar, and they called my name: I was like, Jennifer, don’t get up out this chair because nobody heard that but you.
KR: Speaking of music: Smash. How did you get involved with the show?
JH: It’s a great, great show, and there is absolutely nothing like it on TV. I’m portraying Veronica Moore, a Broadway star who is playing the first black supermodel.
![Nelly & Kelly Rowland Reunite to Perform Their 2002 Hit 'Dilemma' at the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala [Video]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/kelly-rowland-baby2baby-thatgrapejuice-2024-dilemma-nelly-464x260.jpg "Nelly & Kelly Rowland Reunite to Perform Their 2002 Hit 'Dilemma' at the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala [Video].")
![Whitney Houston's 'The Concert for a New South Africa' Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Live Album Release & New Song 'Love Is' [Stream]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/whitney-concert-live-south-africa-album-2024-stream-thatgrapejuice-houston-464x260.jpg "Whitney Houston's 'The Concert for a New South Africa' Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Live Album Release & New Song 'Love Is' [Stream].")
Is it really Kelly that did this interview? I saw this a while back, but couldn’t believe it. WOW. NICE 🙂
This is HINT at a possible collab on #YOTW? Maybe?
I know who Jennifer Hudson is, I can’t seem to recognize who that other woman is though. I think she was Beyonce’s maid or driver or something. I think I’ve spotted her once in one of Beyonce’s boring documentaries.
HATER!!!.. YO FAV DRY!!!!
LAME!
smh….LAWD. You know i’m not gon’ diss these people on the internet, cuz my momma (KELLY ROWLAND) taught me better than that. 🙂
#YOTW
failed Attempt
That was dryer than your ass crack.
JHud Looks GORGE In All Those Pics!!! And Kelly I Just <3 Her!
Too gorgeous ladies !!
two*
And might I add that Jennifer is looking absolutely fierce in these photos yesss 🙂
i love kelly rowland but she shaded herself in this interview talkin about “i would go crazy if i ever got a star on the walk of fame”.
jeez kelly. stop praising other people non-stop for their accomplishments. be selfish for once.
She already has a star on the Hollywood walk of fame with Destiny’s Child, dear.
I get you. Kelly is the Venus Williams to BEYONCES, Serena. Kelly gets some wins, she started out the solo front runner but lacks the selfishness and killer instinct. I love her humility and how down to earth she is but sometimes wish she had that extra umph.
She said she wants to be there the day Jhud gets her star not that she would go crazy for one… Read it again…
one step closer to becoming bow wow on 106. a flop who has to interview the real successful people…
don’t do it kelly!
lol right
honestly..
worldwide Kelly has sold more than jhud. … stop shading her…. she is so humble and that’s wat I love about her…
Wow this interview was dope I like how this whole conversation just flowed. Also there were some great questions and answers that’s what’s up Kelly and Jen.
Me too. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when this happened. Seems like they have a genuine respect for each other. 🙂
#YOTW
Irrelevant
King Z? You are such a dumbass, learn how to read and comprehend. Number 1, Kelly Rowland already has a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. (Destinys Child) . Number 2, if you’re going to quote someone, use the correct wording next time please. She didn’t say “I want to get a star one day” as you said, she said “I want to be there ON THAT DAY” , ” I would go crazy” ! Meaning she wants to be there to support her. Poor guy, you sir as i stated earlier, you’re a dumbass. You should go back to school and learn how to read. You shaded yourself with your comment. #GoodDay
Two Talented women in their own right , they both look great
love the outfits Jenn is Modeling.
Kelly is really transitioning into a bonafide intelligent all round star, i am excited for her that she is expanding her brand, Music, Movies, TV, Watches and accessories and you know what’s next, she said several years ago that she wants her own Talk show this is a hint that she is training for this and i bet we are in for a surprise 2014. you heard it here first. Love jennifer Hudson
Love these two women,such elegance and class #YOTW
I think both ladies look great, especially J-Hud in those pictures. Come on ladies, go back to your music and start promoting! Sometimes Kelly could be the dumbest of them all, she has a new single out (MONTHS AGO!!) and she had no promo for that single or her new album…..here we go for another “Here I am” 2.0 except this time it will resemble the success of Basic Instinct.
Kelly may not have an Oscar award that she didn’t deserve, but she is much more accomplished than Jennifer Hudson’s loud, pitchy, bobble head, boring, flop ass. When’s the last time Jennifer had a hit? Ill wait. Still waiting. Hello? Oh yeah, that ONE hit in 2008. No one buys her music or cares about her!
Oop! And there we have it!
BTW Kelly is GORG!!
Loved this interview! Jennifer Hudson’s vulnerability and honesty are always so inspiring. And Kelly Rowland’s questions were thoughtful and spot on.