Jennifer Hudson has long-defined what it means to be multihyphenate in the contemporary climate. And now her illustrious career is set to add a fresh dimension as the superstar sets sail with her own daytime talk show.

Aptly christened The Jennifer Hudson Show, the hotly anticipated series is powered by the team behind Ellen.

Premiering on Fox stations on September 12 (her 41st birthday), the EGOT winner‘s arrival in the talk space promises to be unique.

That Grape Juice caught up with the force, who dived into detail about what to expect from the show, being inspired by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, dream guests, and a whole lot more.

Watch our  Q&A above and head below for more on The Jennifer Hudson Show…

That Grape Juice: Why was a talk show the next step you wanted to take in your career?

Jennifer Hudson: Anything I do is led by my passion and love for what I do. And that’s how I’ve gotten this far. And I love talking. If I’m not singing, I’m talking. And so, it’s like, okay, you can roll your camera, but I’m gonna keep talking to the people with or without it. I love people. I love the energy that they bring and give. I love, I love hearing people’s stories, and their passions. That’s one of my favorite things about what I do is being around people. And watching them do what they do and what they’re passionate about. And that inspires me, that’s where I get my inspiration from. And then I’ve been blessed to achieve so many things. I want to give somebody else the platform, you know, and no matter what your talent is, or no matter what you want to display your show all for, if you want to celebrate, if you want to escape, I want you to be able to come to my show to be able to do that.

That Grape Juice: There have been so many talk shows over the years, how are you setting yours apart from the rest?

Jennifer Hudson: Usually, I feel like all I can do is be me, you know, be Jennifer. And from my perspective, and I feel like that is what will help make a difference. Because again, I want a more natural, organic feel. And I want to be able to implement all my other facets such as characters. Like, you don’t know who you’re gonna get. I may have a bob [hairstyle] one day, the next day, like, what girl is she today? It depends on how I feel. That’s based on the emotions, or if I’m performing, I have a set, but once I get in the room, your energy may send me somewhere else. So, you may become a part of the show. You know, I want to hear from you, girl, why do you wear that outfit? What did it take for you to get here? I want to hear from everybody, I want to make everybody a part of the space. So, in order to say what it’s going to be, I need you in the room.

That Grape Juice: Who are some of the other talk show hosts who have inspired/influenced how you will approach your own show?

Jennifer Hudson: You know, talk shows are just embedded in us, you know, like, you can’t talk about anything and not be inspired by Oprah, you know what I mean? Or all the talk shows, everything, The View. it’s so many. I’m a sponge. So, it’s just, it’s drenched in me. But at the same time, my job now, I oddly is to simply be myself. And I say it that way, because for 20 years, I played Effie to Aretha, sang about everybody’s songs. And it’s like, well, this time, it’s my turn to simply be… me. So, although I’m inspired by all the other talk shows, I want to simply just be Jennifer.

That Grape Juice: Who are your dream guests?

Jennifer Hudson: Oh, I’m a dreamer. So that’s a big answer right there. I’m blessed to just meet so many people and be inspired by so many things, it varies. And it changes continuously, or it grows continuously. Like, I’m inspired by talents. So, it’s like it may be some kid I see like, ‘Oh, why don’t you come to do this on my show.’ And I’m happy to be able to have a platform to give them a platform. Because I love to give other people the spotlight. And so, I’m grateful to have a platform to do that. But then when I think of celebrities, I’m like, which one do you want me to ask for? Do you want me to go to film? Or do you want me to go to music? Or, or, like, sports? Like I’m into all of those things. I love the old school.  I was sitting with Smokey Robinson doing Respect. And we were talking about Aretha but then he got stories. I want to hear everything from [from him]. But then I want to sit with Megan [Thee Stallion]. I want to see your Cardi B. I want to see Drake. I feel like all of these things are pieces of me. Nicole Kidman. So, it’s so broad. You know, and then I definitely want Simon Cowell because we got a lot to talk about. You see what I mean? Okay, so it goes on and on and on. And then I [will] listen to people and be like ‘hey, who do you want to hear me talk to?’ And I’ll respond to that as well.

That Grape Juice: How will audiences see a different side of Jennifer Hudson through this new show?

Jennifer Hudson: Because you’ll get to see Jennifer, the person, not the actress, playing someone or the singer singing the song, but the person and that is the thing I’m most excited about. [People will hopefully say] this is who Jennifer Hudson is and get to know the person. Like, I’m your girl. Come sit on the couch, come see me. And I’m glad I got a place for you to come to. You could come to my actual house too [laughs]. I love that I finally get to be simply just me, Jennifer. 

That Grape Juice: What are your top goals for The Jennifer Hudson Show?

Jennifer Hudson: I’ve always loved seeing people come together on one accord and in positivity. And I feel like it’s the time that you know, that’s needed. We live in a time where everybody… ooh baby, it’s a lot going on in the world. And I want it to be a place where we can talk about those things. We’re not going alone. It’s not going on without it in the middle of it by ourselves. Or if you want to celebrate, if you want to escape. If you want to chill, whatever that is. You can come to my show and feel comfortable enough just to simply be and that’s what, I want to be that bridge to bridge everything together.

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The Jennifer Hudson Show premieres September 12 on Fox stations.

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[Photo Credit: Brian Bowen Smith / 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc]