Jennifer Hudson Interview, Secret Life of Bee's

MoviesOnline had the pleasure of sitting down with Jennifer Hudson at the Toronto International Film Festival to talk about her new movie, “The Secret Life of Bees,” written for the screen and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood based upon the award-winning novel by Sue Monk Kidd. The film also stars Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, and Sophie Okonedo, a powerhouse ensemble of women from the world of music and film.

“The Secret Life of Bees” is the touching story about the need for love, sisterhood and redemption that explores the undeniable desire for a sense of belonging and the often daunting journeys that we must navigate to achieve it. Set in South Carolina, the home of the intelligent and independent honeymaking Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Keys and Okonedo) is suddenly thrust into upheaval with the arrival of fourteen-year-old Lily Owens (Fanning) and her caretaker Rosaleen (Hudson).

Surrounded by the unexpected comforts, grace and deep rooted spirituality Lily encounters in the Boatwright home, she soon forms a maternal bond with each of these women whose unique and special gifts help reconcile the loss of her mother. Through the strength and female empowerment that embodies the Boatwright sisters, Lily ultimately comes to the realization that sometimes you must leave home in order to find it.

For Hudson, the closeness she experienced with her fellow actors on the set mirrored her feelings about the film itself. “It’s about togetherness,” she says. “If we stick together, there’s so much we can accomplish, because no matter what the struggle, as long as you’ve got somebody, you can make it.”

In 2004, Hudson wowed millions of television viewers during season three of the wildly popular Fox series “American Idol,” where she captured the hearts of American audiences everywhere. Her breakout film performance came with her starring role in “Dreamgirls” for which she received an Academy-Award, Golden Globe, SAG, BAFTA and NAACP Image Award and Broadcast Film Critics Association Award. She was also honored by the National Board of Review and was named “Entertainer of the Year” at the Soul Train Awards. In addition, she received three BET Awards nominations including Best Actress, Best Female R&B Artist and Best New Artist.

She released her highly anticipated debut album with Clive Davis for Arista records on September 30, 2008. She recently co starred in “Sex and the City: The Movie,” joining the hit television series' original cast of Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristen Davis and “Winged Creatures” whose remarkable cast includes Forest Whitaker, Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce and Jackie Earle Hayley.

Jennifer Hudson is a fabulous person and we really appreciated her time. Here’s what she had to tell us:

MoviesOnline: What was the premiere like last night?

JENNIFER HUDSON: It was very exciting. This was my second time seeing it and being able to see it with an audience and see their reactions, y’know, it made me even more proud to be a part of it.

MoviesOnline: You’re confronted in a dramatic scene and hit in the face, were you paying attention to what the reaction was from the audience?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I was into it. Even though I had went through it, I was sitting there cringing like, ‘Omigod.’ I was heated, upset and angry about it.

MoviesOnline: Was that your most difficult scene to shoot?

JENNIFER HUDSON: It had to be, because I literally had to stand there and fight three men. It was a challenge and something different. The first time I was nervous about it and then I got into it and just had to do what I had to do.

MoviesOnline: As this is your fourth movie, do you feel more comfortable on a set?

JENNIFER HUDSON: The more work I do, the more comfortable I get. I guess that’s just me, but I feel like I’m getting more adjusted, like I’m far more used to singing than I am acting, but I’m finding my comfort zone and level with that and just knowing what my range is and what I can do to be better able to perform and do what I need to do. 

MoviesOnline: Did you relate to this character more than other characters?

JENNIFER HUDSON: If I didn’t feel like I could relate to it, I would at least go to someone else who maybe could, but I think I would have reacted the same way she did during that time, so I guess that’s probably my biggest relation [to her].

MoviesOnline: In researching that time period, were there things that surprised you?

JENNIFER HUDSON: All of it surprised me. That’s probably the biggest thing that surprised me. I didn’t realize how unaware I was to what happened during that time. Like, I did ‘Dreamgirls’ as well, but we didn’t really focus in on the civil rights era. And I’m like, ‘How did I miss all of this?’  And in the middle I’m like, ‘Wow. This happened.’ And I had DVD’s and footage after footage and the chronicles of the civil rights movement and I’m looking all the way back into slavery and all the way into now and it’s like, ‘Wow, look how far we’ve come.’ And if I had not experienced racism before, I might not have known it, but when I look back at it, it’s like, ‘Wow, so that’s what this incident was and that’s what happened.’ It opened my eyes in a new way.

MoviesOnline: The presidential campaign is interesting to watch from being able to register to vote to having Obama on the ticket. 

JENNIFER HUDSON: Yeah. It makes me value that moment even more. And even to be a part of him announcing at the DNC and I just literally had to remove myself emotionally so that I could focus and perform my song, because of what I had experienced in my research for Rosaline and ‘The Secret Life of Bees.’ It’s like it wasn’t that long ago. And now we are actually looking at a possible African-American president. 

MoviesOnline: How nervous were you about going out there and singing the Star Spangled Banner?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I was more nervous about catching my air and breathing, because I didn’t realize it was a difference in sea level. I didn’t know and no one told me. And then I get there and I have this song with all these big long notes in it and that takes enough air alone and I’m doing my sound check and luckily my brother had told me, in the nick of time and other than that I would have panicked because I’m in my sound check and I’m lightheaded, dizzy and fading and I’m like, ‘Omigod, I can’t breathe!’ But it was the air. The air is extremely thin, so by the time I had to sing it was like, ‘OK, let’s hold on to whatever air I can so I won’t pass out.’ (Laughs.)

MoviesOnline: Where do you keep your Oscar?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I keep my Oscar at home. It’s on its own lighted, metal stand and you walk in and it’s like ‘Oh ah!’ (Laughs.)

MoviesOnline: You have an album coming out later this month.

JENNIFER HUDSON: It comes out September 30th.

MoviesOnline: Were you able to get any of your co-stars onto you album, because obviously you have Alicia and Queen also in the movie.

JENNIFER HUDSON: Actually, I don’t have them on the album. Maybe the next one or maybe I’ll be on theirs, but it’s just an honor to work with them in the film. Like I said, I was cast before Alicia and she was one of the ones later cast after that. I don’t know if she was last or whatever, but I was really rooting for her to get it, because I really wanted to work with her whether it’s movie or film.

MoviesOnline: The three of you on a record would be amazing.

JENNIFER HUDSON: That would be nice. That might happen. One day.

MoviesOnline: Do you know what your second single is going to be?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I don’t at the moment. I don’t know what to tell you. But it should be coming out soon.

MoviesOnline: Are you planning on any touring?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I do plan to tour. Possibly in October. But all of those things are being put together and possibly through January. 

MoviesOnline: Have you talked to Queen or Alicia about touring for an album?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I dunno. I think our touring schedules don’t match up. Alicia, I think she’s already toured if I’m not mistaken. Cause I went to a concert this summer, so.

MoviesOnline: Did you ask them about the whole process?

JENNIFER HUDSON: Oh, the process? Alicia pretty much gave me more advice on – because, I was like, ‘God, I didn’t know the recording process was going to be this long. I’ve been recording over a year. How long…? I filmed four movies in-between!’ (Laughs.) And I just literally finished recording my album, like a week ago, if that. And she was like, ‘It always takes me at least a year or so to record my album, so it’s nothing out of the norm or whatever.’ And then I was able to tour with the Idols, although it’s still no comparison to an Alicia Keys tour, but that’s kind of how I got my feet wet I guess.

MoviesOnline: I found this movie very emotional and it had some strong messages for women. Can you talk about that?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I think it definitely gives messages to women about coming together and shows that look what we can do and look what we can accomplish. There are so many women who may be catty towards each other, but if you come together, there is a change you can make and you can strengthen each other through that.

MoviesOnline: Were you surprised by how well ‘Sex and the City’ did?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I’m not surprised because it was ‘Sex and the City.’ I was like, ‘What’s the big fuss about? It’s ‘Sex and the City.’’ (Laughs.) I wasn’t. It did more than what they expected, but I wasn’t surprised and I’m not saying it because I was in it, but it’s ‘Sex and the City,’ y’know?

MoviesOnline: Would you be open to returning for the sequel?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I have already been told Michael Patrick King Louise has moved to New York. I’m already there and I’m ready for whatever they decide to do. A second film? I’d love to.

MoviesOnline: How long do you think it’s gonna be till they do another one?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I dunno, but I don’t think it’s out of the question for a second film to be done on ‘Sex and the City.’

MoviesOnline: But your character moved to St. Louis…and got married….

JENNIFER HUDSON: She moved back to St. Louis, but yes, so hopefully she moved back to New York with her husband and kids. (Laughs.)

MoviesOnline: Did you talk to the author about the character? Did she have any insight?

JENNIFER HUDSON: She was there on the sight. I didn’t really have a moment. I can’t say that I did, to be honest.

MoviesOnline: What was your experience like working with Gina Prince-Bythewood, your first woman director for a movie?

JENNIFER HUDSON: It’s so different. Gina is so amazing. It’s so real. Like everything you witness on the screen and on the camera we actually went through. Like, ‘I’m really not cooking this food, Gina,’ but she wanted us to go through cooking courses and I’m like, ‘It’s props. Won’t they cook it for us?’ So she is very, very hands on and it paid off.  She’s an amazing director. She really is.

MoviesOnline: What did you learn to cook?

JENNIFER HUDSON: The hardest thing was to roll the honey around on the thing. It took forever. Cause I still don’t remember how it goes. And I was like, ‘What is this?’ It took us an hour or two just to get that together. Yeah, all of that was real. You could put anybody’s hand in there to do that. Nobody would know. (Laughs.) But I have to go through a course, just to roll some honey on some cornbread. That’s how serious she is about it. She’s very hands on and very real.

MoviesOnline: Any other movies lined up after your tour?

JENNIFER HUDSON: I have one possibly lined up, but I can’t say much about it at the moment.

MoviesOnline: Would you shoot it after the tour? 

JENNIFER HUDSON: Yeah, I would go directly into it from touring to the next film.

MoviesOnline: So, the director asked you and Dakota to go into this drug store?

JENNIFER HUDSON: Oh, this is a Gina story for you. This is how hands on as a director she is. So, this was my first week getting to North Carolina and my first week of production and I was terrified to go anywhere in the south, because I did so much research that my mind was just clouded with the south being so horrible and people being lynched and people being hosed and beat and crazy stuff like that.  So I refused to go anywhere. So Gina calls or has her assistant call and says she wanted Dakota and I to meet her at a specific location and I’m like, ‘Can I know what’s going on?’ And they are like, ‘No, you’ll see when you get there.’ And I’m like, ‘OK. I’ll be there.’

I get there and Gina gives us a grocery list and gives us money and she says, ‘I want you to go into the store and get these items.’ And then before we went in she says, ‘Jennifer, whatever you do, don’t hit anyone.’ And I’m like, ‘Why would I hit anyone? What did I do?’ So, I’m like, ‘OK, whatever.’ And we go into the store and Dakota goes off to grab some items and I’m looking for birthday cards. And all the clerks are white and I’m like, ‘Where are your birthday cards?’ And he’s like, ‘Um, they are over there.’ And I was like, ‘That’s sort of rude.’ And they are treating Dakota like a Queen. I mean she had three or four clerks helping her, asking her ‘What can I help you with ma’am? What do you need?’ And I’m like, ‘Um, can I get a birthday card?’ And he’s like, ‘Ugh, they are right over here.’ And he’s watching me and looking over my shoulder and then…so, I ask, ‘Where are your batteries? Can I get a battery?’ And he’s like rude, ‘They are over there.’ Continually helping Dakota and I’m like, ‘OK, wow.’

So I never made it to the birthday cards and then I make it to the birthday cards and he comes up and says, ‘Excuse me ma’am, but I could have sworn you’ve already been to the birthday cards. Y’know, as a matter of fact, I could have sworn you put some in your pockets. Can you empty your pockets please?’ And I’m like, ‘Are you kidding? You cannot be serious.’ And Dakota goes, ‘You didn’t ask me to empty my pockets. Why are you asking her to empty hers?’ And he goes, ‘As a matter of fact, everyone empty your pockets.’ And I said, ‘Well, you empty yours!’

And so anyway, we decided to get some ice cream out of the store. And Dakota is with me and we are looking at the ice cream thing and I’m looking with her and the clerk leans over and tells Dakota, ‘You know she can’t be in here right?’ And I’m like, ‘Did I hear him right? Did he say me?’ I’m looking behind me and why can’t I be in here?  And I sit down at the parlor and there is a white man there eating his food and he leans over to the clerk, ‘Can you get this nigger out of here? I’m trying to eat my food.’ And the only thing I could hear was Gina in my head saying ‘Don’t hit anybody.’ Omigod. It was a set up.

So at that point we were just like, ‘Let’s just leave the store and go.’  And once we got out of the store, we realized it was just a set up to see how we would react and at that time, because clearly neither one of us was from that timeframe which was a shock whether they were acting or not. It was like, ‘I just can’t believe this happened.’

MoviesOnline: So you were worried about hitting those guys?

JENNIFER HUDSON: Oh, I beat them up so bad. (Laughs.) But that was definitely another challenge. And there was another set up where when we did the scene to get the [most realistic] reaction out of me possible, she had the main one, the older guy, I forgot his name, and when she said ‘Action,’ he just starting saying ‘Nigger.’ And just continually saying it and it just heated me up and that’s when I poured the stuff on his foot. And it just built up a lot and that was another Gina trick. And that shows how she is.  And I said, ‘You did this?’ ‘Yeah.’

MoviesOnline: Did she do that to anyone else in the cast?

JENNIFER HUDSON: Well it wasn’t needed for them to go through that process, because they didn’t experience it. My character is the only one that had to face that, so I was the only one who was tainted. And even Alicia had to come and see me in my room in the hotel where we were staying because I couldn’t stay in there anymore. I was like, ‘This is creeping me out. I can’t do it. I don’t know whose been lynched over here. This looks terrifying. I feel like I’m on a plantation.’ My mind was just so gone and she came over and she was like, ‘Oh, yeah, you need to get out of here. This looks horrible.’ But she was the only one out of the whole cast. Everyone else laughed at me.  I was like, ‘No, no one knows what I had to go through to build up my character.’ And when she came over to see it, it was like, ‘OK, you’re trippin.’ I was like, ‘No, you don’t know what I went through to build the character.’

MoviesOnline: Can you talk about what you thought of the book?

JENNIFER HUDSON: Well, I’m still reading the book, I must admit, so it all happened so fast. It was like, ‘Secret life of Bees,’ here’s the script, let’s film. But I’m in the midpoint of it and I just think the story in itself is so powerful and needs to be told. Whether it’s about sisterhood or people or tryin’ times. Anything. It’s just such a powerful message in the film and that’s always something I want to be a part of.

“The Secret Life of Bees” opens in theaters on October 17th.