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THE ANGELS — Jennifer Hudson is a proud EGOT, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner who has proven herself on screen, stage and in music. Her next intended conquest: daytime television.
“The Jennifer Hudson Show,” which begins Monday (check local listings for time, station), is among the newcomers jumping into the void left by the end of long-running shows hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, Wendy Williams and Maury Povich.
Hudson isn’t worried about her competition, which includes newcomers “Sherry” with Sherri Shepherd and “Karamo” with “Queer Eye” Karamo Brown. Her personal and professional experiences have prepared her for the challenge, Hudson said.
She pays tribute to her beginnings as an “American Idol” contestant with her first guest, former judge Simon Cowell.
In an interview with The Associated Press, the Chicago native talked about why a daytime show was a “dream,” whether singing would be a part of it, and how she balances her other pursuits with her day job. Notes have been edited for clarity and length.
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AP: Why a talk show and why now?
HUDSON: This has been a dream of mine and I have been blessed to achieve many of my goals and dreams thus far. This is another one. Now, at 40, I’ve learned enough and earned the right to sit on the couch and talk to someone. During my career, some people got to know me through characters and songs, but I want people to have a chance to get to know my humor. I always wanted to know my supporters. I was on an “American Idol” journey and it took people to help me achieve those goals and those dreams. Now I want to be that vehicle for someone else. Doing the talk show gives me a platform to share with someone else.
AP: The daytime shows can have a mix of elements, including interviews with celebrities and ordinary people, comedy and music. In putting the show together, what did you find worked best?
HUDSON: Just being myself and drawing from my life experiences. I’ve been able to travel the world and then live a day-to-day life, so my life is mixed with all of those things and I feel like the show will be a reflection of that. My show will be a place where everyone is welcome. Everyone has a story and I want to emphasize that. Personally, in my life I have seen the highest highs and the lowest lows and everything in between. So the show will reflect life.
AP: The daytime TV field feels both wide open and competitive with your show and other newcomers. Is competition something you enjoy, or do you plan to do your thing and let others like Sherri Shepherd do their thing?
HUDSON: I love Sherry and she’s a Chicago girl. We at Jhud Productions love to support everyone. But for me, it goes back to what my mom always told me, “All you can do is the best you can do.” I use the same method in everything I do, and I plan to do so with this one. My goal is simply to bring people together. I love seeing people come together with positivity, good energy and love. Obviously, we’re in a time where there’s so much going on that we really need a place to escape, have fun, express ourselves, or just be. And I want to help make it so.
AP: Given the demands of running a daily show, can you also work as an actor and singer, or do you expect to put them aside for now?
HUDSON: Saying goodbye to them is like saying goodbye to myself. It’s all part of me and you make room for what you love. Once I find the balance, I will find the seats. The way my career has been designed has helped me engage with a lot of people, which has led me to this (show). When they say would you choose singing or acting, I hope I never have to choose between them.
AP: Do you plan to sing on the show?
HUDSON: More so, I think, as an expression or whatever the moment calls for, I don’t want anything that’s exactly as planned and I’m holding the mic under my chin, and here’s a song today. It just has to hit my spirit or maybe something will trigger a song. Or I might just want to sing to you and cheer you up. Or if you want to dance, I’m up for that too. Whatever makes you happy.
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