Jennifer Hudson on Motherhood, Common & Her Next Chapter

Baby, my guest today is a singer, actress, talk show host, producer, and the youngest woman to ever have an e-god. And now she's heading into the daytime Emmys with five nominations for the Jennifer Hudson show. And what's wild is after more than 20 years in this business, Jennifer Hudson is still finding new things to do and new sides of herself to explore. And I relate to that. Because when you've been doing this since you were young, people know all these different versions of you. But eventually, you get to a point where you get to decide what the next version looks like. So today, I want to talk about what Jennifer calls the second season of her life, what she's learned, what she still wants, and what she's finally making room for. We're getting into all of it. Baby, this is Kiki Palmer. Today's episode is brought to you by Apple Watch. We've been so much time checking in on everybody else, but when's the last time you checked in on your heart? Apple Watch Series 12 has an all new health sensing system that unlocks even more powerful health insights. And health, heart is everything. Now let's get into today's show. Baby, this is Jennifer Hudson. Yes, you come, girl, why did I get so scared? Girl, thank you for being here. I'm so excited to be here. Me too. By the way, are you filming the show right now? I am. Okay, yeah. So you're like. I'm excited. I'm excited. Me too. The last time I saw you, me, you, Katy Perry, and John Baptiste was singing Ain't No Mount Hyde. Yes, we were. What was going on? But it was everything. We set the party on fire. I think it was like a groove jam session, and we just, we groups it out. We really did. We really did. And then Justin Bieber singing, it's so sick, Baniyo, it was a fever dream. It was a fever dream. Right? Yeah. Was that real? Did that happen? Anyway, how are you? You're good. You were on the show. Busy as ever. Yes. Yes. But the vibes are high. Yeah. It's so hot out there. But I love the heat. I do too, actually. I'm not going to lie. We like that humidity. Yes. That's that. I said that. The humidity, the hotter, the better. I'll be like, why people complain? Someone said it's too hot. I'm like, this is why it's beautiful. Yes. Because it's so hot. No, seriously. And then your birthday, just that. Yes. September 12th. Virgos. What is your birthday? August 26th. So I'm going to lay down for early one. Yes. First Virgo. Yes. So what did you do? Did you do anything or you made it today? I wanted to play games. Because everything is always so serious. It is. So I was like, I want to have fun. So at my front yard, which happens to be the beach, I was like, I want to play games all day. We play baseball. We play volleyball. We play dodgeball. I still ain't hit the ball. So I want to do it again. Come on, Virgo. But it was a lot of fun. And then they sang me Happy Birthday out on the sand. So it was a lot of fun. This hair is everything right? Do you like kind of got trapped in the rapture when I laid in? Yeah, as you look out. Thank you. I'm so happy that your birthday was great. Thank you. It was. Yeah. Okay, wait. Let's get into the pre-show. Pull up. Okay. Let me get some. So obviously I know that your son's sign is a Virgo. Do you know your moon or your rising? I'm not super into it. I heard something about a Pisces and a something. I heard something about him. Yeah. The way it's like either the rising maybe or the miss one of them. Yeah. I'm gonna eat your birthday. I feel like it's both. I don't know what time. My sister keeps up this with this stuff better than I do. All I know is I think I was born on a Saturday. Okay. And what's you on all the time? Yeah. No, I don't. That's the only way we can get the real details to you. But maybe this is like-- What details you want? You know? What details? This tells you about everything. This tells us everything. I mean, we can get so into it that I could find out your mid-heaven and then we know like why you're so fierce in your business. You might be an Aries mid-heaven. I'm gonna have to calm my sister back then. Because I want to know all of those things. But I don't know much. Do you know your love languages? Uh, that I want-- how I want to be loved. So you know a little something. Yeah, how you want to be loved and how you receive love. Like what do you recognize as someone loving you? And then how do you show? Just the time they invest. Or the gifts, you know, you bring me. We like a gift or two. If anyone wants to bring me a gift, I love a good gift. And then I don't know what celebrating others falls under. But, you know what I mean? Yeah, yeah. Like investing. Affirming them, investing them. Yes. Yeah, service. Yes. Investing time. You can cook? No. When you said that I just felt like I saw a big meal, but no, it ain't. I will buy you a meal. I can warm the meal up. I want to be that woman that's like, come over, I just made some catfish and greens. I do. I make like I did. I'd be like, I've been in this kitchen. Slaven all day. Didn't know. Now here, eat this food. If they don't need to know, you didn't cook it. Literally just cut the package. Or I'll warm it up for you. Come on, warm it up. It's still with love. Warm it up. A little bit. Okay. What is something that your friends roast you for? If they roast you for anything. Well, I'm going to have to take this to my son. Well, everybody says I'm extreme. And I don't think I am. You're extreme. I'm like, no, I'm not. I don't know what that means. I don't think burglars get plagued with extreme in general. Why is that? Because we're extreme. We are. And this way, it's like for us, when we hear this, when something is delivered in a certain type of way, we're like, oh, it's this and we can be like black or white. We can be very like, oh, this is what it is. And people are like, no, it's not. It's like, no, this is what it is. This is what it is. We're kind of like cut and dry at times. Okay. Do you feel? Huh. I think I-- She said, hmm. I follow rules. Like, it has to be exactly like, if you say do something, I'm going to do it. If you say, don't do something, I'm not going to do it. You know what I mean? So maybe extreme in that way, by the book. I'm here for the by the book of it all. But apparently, I'm extreme. I don't know what they're talking about. Period. Okay. What is one movie you could watch over and over and over again? Can I say two movies? Yes. You get three if you want. I love it. Okay. Well, one of my favorite movies is Home Alone. Come on. Home Alone. Home Alone. Home Alone, one and two. Rest in peace, Catherine O'Hare. Yes. Rest in peace. Rest in peace. Home Alone. And then sister act two. Girl, sister act two. Didn't we all want to be? Yes. And sister act two, like, please. You can tell me I wasn't in it. Girl. What was that thing that song? When it was in the bag, like, huh? What was that? What was that? The sister act two. When the girls are gonna be somebody. If you want to go somewhere, then everything's happening. You got to wake up and pay attention. Yeah. You see what we did? Yeah. That was you. Did you got it like that? You can tell me I was not in sister act. Oh my God. Yes. Have you ever met a Lauren Hill? I've never met her. You know what? I was actually at her birthday party. Okay, Flex. She said, I know. Lauren Hill, honey. I think it was like last year or so. That's so cool. Yeah, that was really nice. That was really nice. And then Tonya Blunt, who I thought I was back in the day. You know, they're worn treaty now. I'm a huge fan of hers as well. So I've seen her quite a bit, you know, here and there. That is so fun. Okay, like I said from the beginning, everybody knows this about you. Because every Chicago girl does what we do, which is I'm from Chicago. That's right. I'm from Chicago Morning Bread and you grew up singing in the chart. I did. Tell me what little Jennifer was like. Like, did you always know I'm going to be a star or was it that people were so impacted by your voice that you were like, okay, guys, I guess I should do this? I feel like it was all of those things. Well, I come from a singing family. I was a, they called a lap baby. I was like, two, maybe one, two years old sitting on my godmother's lap. She still tells this story to this day. The quiet director, which was probably my uncle, John, because it's a family church. Come on on. On the piano. Here, look over them glasses like this. And he was giving the sopranos their note and they couldn't hit it. And he said, I did. And my cousin said, then who's my godmother as well? Deborah, she would want to shout out. They always do. You know how it goes. And she said, mark my words. This baby is going to sing. So if I ever have a Jennifer Hudson movie about my life, that's how I wanted to start. That would be the first scene of the movie, because that's where it all started. Oh my gosh. Yes. You see what I just said? It was so good, the picture that you painted. You see? I wanted to be in the cinema. Yes. Immediately. And I've always been a dreamer. So growing up in church and my grandmother laid over 100 solos in the church. Wow. So that's why I said I got my voice from. She was Juliet Kate. I'm Jenny Kate, right? And so I had my first solo by the age of seven. And I forgot the words to the song. And the congregation had to help me out because I always had stage fright. To sing. I was big for a solo. It didn't be too intimidated and afraid to sing. And so when I did. I forgot the worst, sir. - Oh my God. - And the congregation had to help me out. - Oh my gosh. What do you think it is about church? And I bring it up because obviously all the great singers have it, the Franklin, Winnie Houston. It's, you know, everybody has this church. What do you think it is about the church that creates the environment for voice like yours? - You know what I mean? - Thank you, thank you. I think it's the teachings. Think about it as the way we will rehearse songs and just born into it. Like that's how we, that was our language. - Yeah. - So you can, I remember being in an choir, if you didn't get your note right, you had to go stand in the corner and sing that note instead of Dan Wall. - Into the wall. - And you were not coming out of that corner until you had that note. - Oh my God. - And again, Mark Jackson, fine. That was, you know it was that extreme. But, and we were in church every day of the week, every day of the week. Again, my grandmother laid over 100 cell lows and so when we would go home, she would lie, my brother and my sister and I up together and rehearse us all. And then at the wall, she said, okay Jason, you go sit down, Jennifer, come on. And she would like trying me to sing. You know, so it's just in our family. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, and then obviously eventually you started doing the Disney cruises. At that time, did you really see it being like your career outside of the cruises? Like did you see yourself saying, hey, you know what, maybe one day I'll have an album or did you feel like I could sing? This is a side thing. I get to go on a cruise. - I just love singing. It didn't matter to me when I sang it. And well, you're testing my mind. Let's see, what was first? Was it the cruise? And yeah, it was the cruise ship then I don't know. - Then the American I don't know. - Yeah, and it was actually my first family's first time hearing me sing Secondary Music. Because again, it's a family church. - Come on, secularity time. We were singing was in church. So by the time I did the ship and I don't, they're like, wow, we never heard you sing Secondary Music. And I'm like, really? And then it's like, it's true to that. Because you're singing a church, you're singing for the Lord. And I think, you know, it comes with that purpose and that's what that comes from. But I always knew I went to sing at seven. I said, I am going to be a singer. I'm gonna be rich and famous. And I am going to be a singer at seven. And when I was in school, my teacher told my mom, like this little girl knows exactly who she is and who she wants to be when she grows up. Yeah. - Period. I mean, and when you get off the jizz cruise, what was it? And you might have probably told this to me in times. But I'm curious what was going through your mind that made you say you wanted to try out for American I don't. - You know what? The ship was my test. I was like, if I can get through this, then I'm cut out to do idle. But if you can't get through this, grow, stay your butt at home. And so that was my test for myself because I'm a home body. I'm a mama's baby. So that was like one of my first times really away from home. And it was scary. And I'm like, but if you really want to do this, then you got a lunch into the deep. - Yeah. - And so I was like, okay, this ship would be my test. If I make it through it, I can go. And when I stepped on this ship, I promised you guys, spoke to me the very second I stepped on the ship and said, you would never ever be at home again for good. And I haven't been since then, literally. - What was your favorite thing to do in Chicago? Like, were you always, were you in the city, you know, hanging out? Were you, were you, what was your favorite place to eat? What was your life like in Chicago? - Again, I was in the house being creative. My brother and sister, they didn't, people didn't even know Jason and Julia had a little sister until they heard me. They like, who was that singing in the house? And it's like, oh, I listen, they like, y'all got a sister. I was, 'cause my grandmother was sickly. - Okay. - So I would, you know, stay in the house with her while my sister was in high school 'cause I'm the baby of the family. Jason would be outside running around, you know, hanging out with the boys. My sister was in high school, about to go to college. - Come on, hang out with the boys. - Stuff like that. I'm in the house with grandma singing songs, drawing, just being creative. And then when I did get out, my best friend, Walter, who's here, we've been, for instance, to sixth grade and he was determined for the world to hear me sing. - That's right. - Yes, we, on the South Side of Chicago, we would sit in his little car and have our meetings and then we would go and perform. He would find me different talent shows. So if you did see me, I was out grinding and performing and things like that. That's what I spent majority of my time doing. If I wasn't outside being a kid, playing, having fun, you know. - I live for that. Now I heard something crazy. When you said on level of radio that when you turned 40, you were going to retire. - Girl, what was happening that day? - No, for real. I was like, "Time." You know, I don't know, that's what I came up with. But I feel like that's when God restored me because that's the year I got the wax figure and I said, "You know what, he multiplied it." And it gave me a second win to run around again. Yeah, because right after that, you end up doing your talk show. So was I, girl, so was this what retired me look like to you? - I don't know how to sit down. - Neither do I. - Is that Virgo in us? What is that? - Girl, we got Michael. We got Mother Teresa. She was around the world, ministering. Yes, girl. - I never knew that. - We got Colby, we got Mamba. We know we got, every one of us can sit down. - Beans, you know. - No one, none of us can sit down. - Even if we like think we want to, it's like I can sit down even if I want to. And I've always been that way. Mom, yeah, I always doing something sit down. But I need to, I guess be creative in some ways. - Yes, yes. - So when the talk show came about, what was your immediate reaction, right? You were already kind of feeling like, I don't know, I'm just left. But then the talk show came and you sit and, what'd you say? - I'm like, I always say, you know, you always see me try. I was like, you know what? I want to try it. I think that's one of the things that make me different. Where I don't mind trying things. And it's a huge part of me. Like, one of the reasons why I want to do it is because I'm like, you know, being an actress and a performer, like people have heard me singing songs. You've seen me play characters. But I'm like, I want you to get to know the person. And I want to get to know your person. - Yay, yes. - That's a part of motivation. And then also I come from a talking family. If we're not singing you down, we're talking your head off, okay? If we're not singing you down, we're talking your head off. That's the word. - You see? So it's so fitting for just like who I am and how I am. And I love people, I love celebrating people. And so I was like, baby, bro, your camera. Who do you want me to talk to? - Hey, literally. And such a fun show. Obviously, I've been on air. I can't wait to come back another time. - I love when you come. - Girl, now you've described it like you just said as God basically saying this is your second win. What would you describe like the second season of your life to be like thus far? - Woo, I have to take it back to like think about. When I wanted to ask her, I was 25, you know? So. - Made of many girls, you're a mess. - Oh, Jennifer, I just adore you. I love that 25. - I was 25. - Thank you, baby. - And I mean, I have to take this to Tari's. One time I was shooting the movie "Respect" and he came and sat in the trailer. I don't even remember why he was there, but he was there. - Because Tari's part is Tari's. - There's seasons of his life where he's everywhere. - He's like Tari's, what are you doing? And he put it in perspective from me. He was like, wait a minute. - Jennifer, you just said you won your Oscar at 25. You said most people don't reach their prime until they're 40. - Mm-hmm. - And now fast forward to being 40. I'm like, okay. So to end up with a talk show. - Yeah. - I had just gotten a wax figure. - You're the youngest Egot. - Oh, I was like, I think I won the Egot at the same time. - You've accomplished so much. - That's the second win. And not to mention I literally had not stopped running from the moment I went to the cruise ship all the way to the pandemic. Like every, all of those years, like without that break, I don't think I would have been able to push through the second leg. - Yeah. - Yes, yes, yes, yes. - For all of those things to manifest to happen. - Yeah. - That is still going right now. Well, I'm like, okay, and even when I won the Oscar, people are like, okay, how are you gonna tap this? What only guy can? I'm sitting waiting to see just the same as everyone else. - Yeah. - To see because then in '40, I want an Egot. - What? - Yes, yes. - It's still unfolding. - And I love what you said, because it is one of those things where, and I think this in general, 'cause that's just my faith in background. Like only God could write this script. - You know what I feel? - It is not. There's no way that I would have been able to, I know I would love to be like I'm a mastermind, but like God put this here together. And I'm just, I feel like I'm willing to go. Like, okay, were you sending me now? So every time those doors open up at the happy place, and I'm like, God, are you serious? Like I'm really here. This is really happening, you know? - Girl, and we love that spirit tunnel. - Yeah. - That spirit tunnel is so funny, because it's almost like the show has two lives. It has the live where you're watching get the daytime talk and then it has the digital life where you just get into the clips and then getting into the spirit tunnel. It's like, and that song coming down there, I live for mine, they put my, they don't remix mine with Whitney coming down there. - I was like, I live to play with me. - Girl, that would be crazy. - No, you need to, she needs to play with me. - Stop it, stop it. How was it for you doing respect? Because playing somebody that's so iconic, it's scary, right? Because, you know, what was that process like for you? - It's exciting and scary at the same time, especially when it's someone like a wreath of Franklin. - But you know, when they could do that. - And then that, like what? - Oh my God, that's a, and when you understand like the treasure, that they are and what they represent, that makes it even more scary. Because I'm like, that's one of my idols. - Yeah. - Oh God, you wanna, you wanna, you know, treasure what you have. and give it the justice that it needs and deserves. So I remember being in a studio when we recorded respects. - Mm-hmm. - That is the moment that stilled me where I'm like, wait a minute. - It's chilling. - I get to sing and recreate this or the first time we had her and I had our meeting about me portray her and which was a dream of mine to do. 'Cause think about it on my American Idol Edition, I'm saying, I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna show you love with me by Miss Alreita Franklin. - Have no idea. - Have no idea. - Yes, my little Hacker Girl. - You know how I got that dress? Child on that ship, I saved my money. I don't get me started. (laughs) And I said, look, let me go up here and audition for this. And I used to, I'm a Chicago girl, so I did my own crochet. I didn't want nobody to touch my shoes. - It was her back then. - Thank you, I did that. - Yes, it was very cute. - That's funny. - A little curly curl. My daddy used to call me Miss Maker Hub. Jennifer's gonna make us some hair. Listen, I had my crochet. I went in there for that audition. That dress had a little hole in it. It shouldn't have had that hole in it, Jennifer. But it did. Anyway, and I said, I'm gonna sing. - What was making that best? - Yes, period. I said, I'm gonna sing, "Share your love with me by Alreita Franklin." And little did I know, she was watching, you know? So right after I wanted to ask her for her dream girls, she called and we had a meeting in New York. And then she was telling me about, you know, she's like, you know, basically a kind of like an interview, type of thing, about me portraying her and I'm like, and she's like, what, just shy, something? And I'm like, man, I'm singing it. You are the queen of soul. Like, I'm here. - You're shy. - What can you say? Oh my gosh. The fact that she was watching you and had been watching you all that time is actually insane and amazing. What was it like spending time with her? - You know, she seems like a gag and a key. - She's the gag and a key, yes she is. And she's the queen of soul. So, you know, anytime a wreathyl is there around, again, there's a couple of performances that I had to tribute her. And one time she snuck up into the rehearsal and just sat there and it's like, who gon' tell Ms. Franklin you? Man, you're not supposed to be here right now. This is like, and tribute to you. But you can't tell Ms. Franklin, either. - No, and she'd be stomping up in there like, hey. - Yes. - Yes. - Yes. - That's a slut. But she just became like, more than your idol? - Yeah. - You know that? - Yeah, yeah, yeah. I do because she's a real person now. - To get to know the real person. Which, of course, like a kind of a motherly figure. And the more I talk to her, the more I understood, I guess, like our connection. - Yes. - In a way that makes sense. - And I'm curious, you have such as, again, your voice and the way that you express yourself through singing. Obviously, we see it on TV or movies or whatever, and it's incredible. But me having been able to see it in person, it's another level when you sing. - Thank you. - I'm curious if she ever, or if you guys ever talked about, like y'all, the way that you guys are able to communicate through music like that, I think it's such a specific vibe. - What I attribute more to, I've again, learning from her. More of her story and her background and even doing research as you know, you have to do when you portray someone. - Yeah. - It is like the similarities of our realities. And I think she knew that I would understand the place to come from, to be able to deliver, which will come out throughout the performance. - Yes. - Whether it's musically or characterized. - Yeah. - Yeah. - Very cool. Very, very, I mean, an incredible experience. - Yes. - Incredible. - Obviously, we were talking about the performing. That was your entry point to entertainment before you became a host and you shared with Jimmy Fallon about how it was kind of like going to school again to become a talk show host. 'Cause this is a different way. Even though you're clearly, you talk to people, it's different, you know, doing it on a show. So what was the process of learning like what kind of host you would be? - Okay, so for me, Kiki, I'm like, I still don't consider myself a host. 'Cause I'm a human, not a host. - Sure. - Of course. - Like, that's the approach that I prefer to take or I like to take or like, I want you to meet my human, my person and I wanna see yours. - Yes. - And when we start the show, I wanna, you know, you will see me try and approach it in that way. But yes, like, looking, of course we all grew up on talk shows. Of course, of Oprah Winfrey, who's not gonna look at her? - But you're right. There's a difference between like somebody that is a journalist and then somebody that's here to have a conversation with you. - Exactly. - I'm just gonna talk to you. - I'm just gonna take this, which is. - Yes, yeah, yeah. - That's why we love you so much. - Because it's just that real rawness. - Sure. - And so it's like, no, I'm here with you. - Yes. - We're here together. - Yeah. - And it's just, I'm just Jennifer. - Okay. - And being versus walking, I feel like it would have been a mistake to walk the door like, hi. - Hi. - You know everything? Hi, welcome to the Jennifer Hudson Show. - No. - That's not who I am. And again, that's the other reason why I want to do it. So people can know like, this is Jennifer. - Yeah. - I'm just like you, I'm your sister, I'm your daughter, I'm your friend, I'm your next door neighbor. Y'all watching me grow up. Now I just wanna create a platform to where we can all come to. Love on each other and celebrate each other. Of course I work with like a media host. And it's like, when my acting culture's one of the tools he always says is like, put your tools in the toolbox. And it's things that I've learned along the way where I'm like, okay, I'll put that in the toolbox. And maybe I'll apply it. - Not smooth at all, but I need to be Jennifer right now. - Yes! - You know, use it where you want to use it. - Yes. - So I kinda say that's what I made up my own thing. - That's literally how it should be. I mean, you're now in season five. A lot of these talk shows you not make it past season one. Constantly going viral. At what point in between season one, to season five, where you were like, yeah. Obviously you're gonna continue, we always continue to learn as life goes. But like when, what season did you feel like you were like, oh, oh. - Season five. No, for real, I'm like, no, because again, it's so-- - That's real though. - I'm gonna be honest with you, it's so foreign. And it's like, okay, what is Jennifer doing? I'm trying and there's nothing wrong trying and doing something else. And I don't believe in limits. I don't believe in boxes, so you don't see me try. I'm just the fool that's gonna be like, you know what, let me try this. - You courageous. - Thank you, you courageous. And I mean, I have a lot of people, I think that to me is like, I always say this to people, it's never about like, oh, I'm never gonna mess up or I'm never gonna fall or whatever. - No, what really makes you a winner is that you get back up, is that you have the courage to try something new and do it again. It's not what you do, it's who you are. So it's, and I mean, you're a perfect inspiration for that, you know, and you inspire me. - Thank you. - Now you don't say that you would do 25 season shows. I feel like you really love it. Like you tried it, you loved it, and now you're like, I'm here to stay. - Y'all, I'm gonna be out there talking with some happy play. (laughing) It's a ho, ho, ho, ho. - I turn 65 today. - Come on, give me a bonnie stuff, so. (laughing) That's, but we five seasons in. We only got 20 more to go. ♪ Baby, it's this cakey pola, yeah ♪ - This message is a paid partnership with Apple Watch. Our heart can tell us a lot about our health, and most of us are just out here ignoring it, like an unread text from someone who's right. (laughing) I've learned that one of the best indicators of how you're really doing is your heart. Apple Watch Series 12 has the most accurate heart rate sensing in-awareable, and the readiness score gives you one simple number every morning that says, yes, go conquer, or maybe sit this one down. It pulls from your recent activity, your vitals, your sleep, and it adjusts throughout the day, so you know when to push and when to pull back. Oh, and the vitals app now tracks HRV, or heart rate variability, which is basically your body's inside scoop on stress and recovery, and you can check vitals day or night to catch shifts in your health status before they even think about becoming a whole thing. And that's on self-care, honey. Your heart tells the story of your health and with Apple Watch Series 12. You can understand it better than ever. Visit apple.com/applewatchseries12 to learn more. The features described are for wellness purposes only and not for medical use. iPhone 11 or later required. Heart rate accuracy based on Apple conducted study August, 2026. Visit apple.com/hracuracy. I've been scrolling Airbnb planning Thanksgiving, and I already know I wanna take the family somewhere instead of hosting at home this year. I'm thinking Hudson Valley Orches. Farm to table restaurants, maybe a cider tasting that turns into a whole afternoon. I wanna hit a local market the morning of and get everything fresh. Find a bakery for the pies because let's be clear. I do not bake. I perform other talents. Walk through town, after dinner, when everyone's too full to function, we're too happy to go inside. And then we'll come back to the cozy home at the end of the night to relax, get comfy. And of course, enjoy those leftovers at midnight. That's what I love about booking trips with Airbnb. You get the comforts of home while exploring new neighborhood, discovering local gyms and living your best life. If a cozy holiday getaway is in your future, play your next family gathering with Airbnb. (upbeat music) So, obviously, you know, we think about American Idol, but American Idol. you didn't win at that time where you like, you know, man, you know what I mean? This is really like what was the transition point from I didn't get this show to I didn't get this show and this was one of the biggest blessings of my life that I didn't win this show per se. That was the process. But the not winning part or I'm eliminated part. Sure. That literally happened in that moment. When I was eliminated and then I remember having this thought like, wait, I'm walking away with my talent. The talent doesn't hear the competition ends here. But whatever it is, and I had an exit speech before I left. I said, you know, something is in store for me. I don't know when, how, what, but I know I have to sing my way to it. And then, bam, two years later, it was drink girls, right? And I was wanting to like, while we were on the show, when you're there, you have everything. You have the, you have management. You have, you have a team, you have everything. And I used to think like, okay, so what happens when we no longer have this, when this goes away? How do you stay afloat then? So I'm a Virgo. I'm a planner. I'm always thinking ahead like, okay, now what's gonna happen after this? But nothing is just so being able to be on a platform like that. You're a whole lot further than when you started. That's right. And I'm like, I'm walking away with my talent. And as long as I have that and I keep at it, it has no choice but to give in. And, and again, long as Jennifer is singing, I'm happy. Yeah. Yeah. But that's like a really important, I think, experience to even have. And how much did that actually inform the way you deal when things don't go your way now? Like how much that was a big situation like that and not going your way and being positive in the end affected how you look at. Well, from that experience, I always say, if I could get through, I don't, I could get through anything. That's what I say to myself. And I miss the things. I don't look at anything, whether if it's a success or not, as a negative, because and everything is a lesson. Yes. You know me and everything, it will prepare you for the next. Yep. You know, like, for example, I feel like doing the voices, help prepare me to one day be a host. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I feel that way about everything I did with Disney Channel. See. They had me in every role, but craft services. And it's like, it's helped me because you're right. Everything kind of becomes a bit of a training grant. And I always say that too, like even if you're not in entertainment, right? If you're working a job where you were behind a cubicle and they got you typing, well, they're typing help me become an editor in chief. You know, whatever, like whatever you can prepare you for the next. Yes. Pull whatever you can from whatever you are and make it a part of like you said, your toolbox type five. But let's get on to Dreamgirls because that was, I mean, everything changed with item within everything changed again with Dreamgirls. Stay changing. I love that so much. I mean, you win that Oscar at 25 years old. And it was probably the campaigning thing is insane. So you did the movie. And obviously I remember even hearing as a kid because I was performing at that time. And I remember people being like, Jennifer, this is going to win Oscar. Jennifer is going to win Oscar. They would keep saying that. And this is like the Oscars hadn't come yet. I mean, so you hear these things within the industry before the nomination happens and the nomination happens. And then we're all waiting on that night to see what happens. But what was it like for you having to be out there on the front line and people being like, it's going to be you. I had no idea what was going on Kiki. I still don't think I do. It took Jamie Foxx. He's the one who said, Oh my gosh. I love that council. I live for the black council. Listen, he spoke and he said, why are we on this day? He's like, the craziest thing about this girl is she has no clue what's going on. And I didn't. And then he's like, you go in and ask her for this. And I'm like, Oh my gosh. This is why we were filming. So to hear him say that. I mean, he had just one for Ray. Yep. Yep. He knew. So he knew. And I want to do is give my lines right, child, big bill, kind and proud for giving me that opportunity, you know, just for those who gave me that chance to be there. I knew everybody's lines. I knew light. Okay. I was actually in your line is. Oh my gosh. That was the same thing that Will Smith said when he started doing first principle there. He said, honestly, I had to learn everybody lines. And I was saying a lines why they was talking that is so funny. That's probably me. Okay. So it was a very fun experience. But also like you said, a world win. Yeah. Yeah. And so when you when you got on staging, you won that Oscar. Again, there's no ceilings. But a lot of people don't even accomplish something like that in their lifetime of being a performer or beings. You know, that might be there. That might be their end goal. And you've won it already at 25 in the beginning of your career. So at the end of that night, you know what I mean? It's crazy. You know what I'm saying? Like so at that point, you were like, what do you what do you? Well, you kind of like, I guess I'm done or were you like, damn, how do I top that? Did you ever feel any pressure? No, because I'm one in my Grammy. Because there's a key and key key. I dreamt of being at the Grammys. Yeah. And like Whitney Houston. And you know, having a music video or you're not in a mirror where you, you know, create those things. So that was my dream. That's what I dreamt about. Yeah. But I want to ask her first, which I'm not complaining about. But it's just a different it was different in terms of what your goal was. Right. You know, it's a blessing. Yeah. But it was different from what you expected for yourself. So I need to get the Grammy. I wanted to sing. But again, if that's all God was going to do, there was more than enough. Sure. And I would have never imagined that. Wait. So now I'm a actress. That sings because all of this was so new to me right before that was Idol. And before that was a ship. And now, how did I get here? Following the calling. Yeah. I guess so. But let's see, after that came music, everything happened. Yeah. So fast. Yeah. Yeah. It was talk about a whirlwind. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's hard to catch up. That's the funny thing when you talk about the second season. The second season I feel even when I think about my own life and career is like the one where I know what's happening a little bit more. And that being those first things. I can appreciate it more. Because now, I have a greater sense of knowing like, okay, like you just said, no, people don't just walk up and win these things. There's people who've been doing this for years and don't achieve it or only achieve it way later. So now I can really embrace it. I fully understand what this represents and what this is to understand the achievement of it all. You know, yes. And so this time around, I can really embrace it. So when we double in the gut. Actually, I'm halfway too. Because I heard you want to do that. I said, yes, girl. Okay. No. Because I have two Grammys. Yeah. So, God bless me to have another Emmy or something. Then I'll be, he got in half. I mean, and you, you're nominated what the talk show, your show has 18 Emmy nominations. You're going to win one. So we're going to be like, we're going to be halfway to that. That's happening at least. Okay. You're going to see that. I see that. Thank you. That's really happening. And so we're going to be halfway again at the end. You're going to be a double. You got one that's never happened before. No, it has one other person. I don't know his name, but it's one other person. It's a man that we know love. It's a man. I don't know if we know him or we love him. She don't know if we love. We probably don't. But you're going to love me. You see what I did. I can not with you. I cannot with you. I cannot with you. Okay. You also shared something that I think obviously with the spirit and the fun you have is sometimes we can think this is contradictory, especially also considering the fact that you are so ambitious. But sometimes you get tired and and and not being always you set this an interview magazine that's sometimes it's hard to say that because people immediately think that, oh, you're somehow ungrateful. I really relate to that. What is that? I don't know, man. No, no, no, no, I'm not complaining. I'm just being truthful. I'm just let's die. We can be tired and grateful at the same time because that's why I'm tired because I'm so invested in all my blessings that I'm grateful for. That I need a nap. It's so true. Yeah. It's so true. And I think it's like it's good. I wanted to bring it up because I think it's important to say that I can be ambitious. I can really want this. I can be really grateful and I can still be tired. I can be frustrated. I can be irritated. I think I can be human. I can be human. I can be human. And I think as a performer, especially when we're showing up and we put that smile on, it becomes difficult people to understand that I'm not being fake. I'm showing up and I'm giving you all I've got. Right. But that doesn't mean that the human side of me doesn't sometimes want to just go on a corner somewhere. Exactly. And not express anything. Yeah. Yeah. That is so true. Yeah. What is something that you make room for now that is literally just Jennifer, like for that human side? Me period. I mean, yeah, that like I'm in a place now. It's a self-care. I love that. I love that. Self-care season. You know, and I'm on, I'm 45 now, baby. I'm almost 50 years old, which is so allergic to makeup today. I love saying that. I like getting older. But it's like when you spent your whole life being doing discipline, doing everything you're supposed to, I'm always where I'm supposed to be. I mean, I don't be worried about where I'm at. I'm where I'm supposed to be. Okay, and then if you work this long and this hard, okay, everybody has some stopping sense. When is it my turn to make more time for me? You know, and at this age or chapter in my life is like, you know, we should allow some room for that, some space, more for self. And along with all the things I love doing, 'cause this is who I am. Whether you got a camera in front of me or not, I am still going to sing, I am still going to host, I'm still gonna be whatever it is I do. Yep, that's why I do it so much because this is who I am. But at the same time, it's okay not to, too. And just as we, I think a lot of us can learn that, you know, we can still exist and not have to, have to all the time. Yeah, not to just be one of, just be key and just be human. If Jennifer wanted to just be Jennifer and just, I just want to go to the concert and see it. Or can I just be with the friends and not be on display? Or, you know, not be expected to and just simply be, or not even have to always worry about everyone and everything. Yeah. You know, where it's like, you know, let everybody else take care of themselves for a change, you know? So that's more of the space, I mean, which is a foreign space, to know it's like, they'll be okay, they'll figure it out. Or it's okay to just exist. And what is it? Not have productivity, but have a little play. Yes. Everything doesn't have to be productivity. Yes. Does that make sense? It is because even on the self-help, sometimes that can turn into a damn job too. And it's like, I'm just, I'm being productive about the non-productive, let me come to you. You know, it's true. It could be a mess. So you got to check. We got to check ourselves. Yeah. Something else you've been making time for in your chapter, this chapter of your life, and you could say as much as you want, or as little is love. Love. Baby, this is, you keep all my, yeah. You know how every episode I go deep on whatever I can't stop thinking about? Well, lately, it's been my living room. I walked into my local IKEA store last week, just to look around and left with a whole new vision for my space. Because here's the thing people don't realize. There are hundreds of new products every season. New colors, new patterns, whole new collections. I had never seen before. It's not just about style for me. It's the functionality of it all. I found new storage pieces. That's all problems I'd been ignoring for months. Plus, some design updates that made my space feel fresh. I feel like every time I go back, there's something new waiting for me. So, if you haven't visited in a while, trust me. Go see what's new. Discover what's new at IKEA. Shop the latest products in store or online at ikea.us/discovernew. So, here's something that genuinely surprised me. Over 80% of Americans are not getting enough omega-3s from food alone. 80%. 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How is romance in this chapter of your life? It's been amazing. It's been beautiful. And it's something that's helped me get to the space of, like, self. Like, oh, you know, I think it's contributed to that as well. Yeah, I think the timing is amazing. It's just a beautiful place in space to be in. So, yes, love. Yeah, what would you say is a difference of how falling in love feels at this stage in your life as opposed to in your early 20s? Oh, wait 'cause when you can really truly identify love. Hold on, take the rent at bed, and know what it is. When you're young, you have the idea of it. But once you-- and I'm not saying those times are not necessary. But by the time you get to this space, no, no, no, no. I don't want that. I don't want that. Now, this is what I want. No, that seems right. You can really identify it and know what it is. And that way, you can enjoy it and embrace it more. Because by the time you go to all the things that you thought it was, or your idea of what it should be, it helps you get when you get to that place. When you see it, you know it. Yeah, it's because sometimes I feel like that should be is only able to come from what you've seen. Either in your house, your surroundings, or even in the movies. And sometimes the people around you, especially with us, they live a totally different lifestyle, right? Nobody was a entertainer or had, you know, your six-- I don't know your family, but I imagine you're one-of-one. So not everybody can speak to that experience. So whatever looks like for them, it probably wouldn't look like that for you. And then also, it's like, whatever the movies be doing, that's for like an hour and 30 minutes. Yes, but then that goes into the ideal. Yeah, we all have that ideal. Oh, and you know, when I get to that place, I want to have two children and I want to have the picket fins. I want to do this. And this person is going to do is a certain ideal. But when reality can't be, that brings a whole other thing. But once you experience all of that, you have a-- more clarity and understanding of what love really is and what you really want out of it. To be able to identify it. And that is the space and place I'm in. Yeah, and being so accomplished-- I should have so many women out there that are-- there's so many boss women that are doing their own thing. How do we decide what love looks like coming into our lives if we don't need anything? Not to say we don't want nothing, right? But it's like, I have a good situation going for me. You know what I mean, whether I have no kids or even a single mom, you know, I got my stuff going on, I got my bills paid, like, I'm good. How does it look like to let somebody be a part of that, even? That is such a great question. I'm asking for me. Look, but just here, you say that because we can feel lonely. Yeah, you just feel like, who's my body? Right. You know, do I got to look if I want to call up? Yes. Who's going to call? But it takes me to that, let them think. Where it's like, you have to allow them space to be able to exist in your world. When you do, when you do have every T-Cross and every eye dotted yourself, you know, you better find them something. You know what, baby, I need you to. Can't get grabbed. Oh my God, that was amazing. What you did. You didn't mean girl, a love space. I'm not doing enough for that. A love space. I'm like, it ain't done right. I, you know, let me do it. Girl, I got to really listen right over your butt up. You know? Yes, that's real though, 'cause in space for allowing, you know, allowing somebody to learn you enough to show up for you. Yes, and allowing ourselves to know it's okay not to have to do everything. And allowing space to allow others to do it. And not just the man. I do this with my boys too. My son and the other boys is like, they want to do a recognizing that they want to do. And then allowing them space to do it. And if they ain't got nothing to do, you find them something to do. Okay. Did you get that? Okay? Like, you know what? 'Cause they'd be like, I got home the other day. And when I tell you they was outside, I lined up waiting for me to get them. I was like, my God, this is so sweet. And they're like, no, I got the bag. No, I got the bag. Oh my God. I didn't have to touch the thing. Okay. Good enough. All right. We, you know, has a rock and they want to allow that space, give them some room to do something. Yeah. I need to stop being so off with your head. Okay. So Common has been, God, I be ready to chop the, Common has been very vocal about the fact that, you know, he could see marriage with you. Is marriage even anything you want? Thank you for asking that question. 'Cause it's like every woman doesn't want marriage and obviously love Common down and that's fabulous. I'm just curious. Do you even care about marriage? Is that something that's for you? That's the whole, literally, I feel you because I appreciate you asking that question because people automatically always assume women just want to be married and that is not always the case. No. I will only think I will say about it is this is the only person where I'm like, you know what? Actually, I will consider that. Yeah. That's so cool. But have I been that type of person be want to be in this space? No. And let me say I have never, I hate when people think that, she's been married, I have never been married. Yeah. Um. But in this, this, this relationship, I'm like, you know what? I'm okay. - All right, you. - Well, if that ever happened, girl, please don't lose my invitation in the damn mail system. 'Cause I need you to be there. 'Cause I worked with the comment on Alison soon as I told you that when I saw you, I was like knowing his personality and knowing your personality. It's just like, it's just perfect. That's the shot time. - That's my friend, you know? - That is just, it's a blessing. - It is. - It really is. - It's a shot off to you. Love you with she. Okay, David is 17 now. - 17. - Literally, I mean, your son is a grown man in two minutes. - That's kind of insane. - What are you gonna do, girl? What does it feel like to realize that you're standing besides somebody that's towering over you and you pooped him out? - First of all, let me tell you, get ready. 'Cause you think it's gonna be forever, I'm telling you. 'Cause I look at you and your baby, I'll tell you. I'm like, she has no idea like how quick it's gonna go. 'Cause I feel like that's my, I'm like, that was just little David. How is he 17 getting ready to go to college, talking to me about women's and things? And I'm like, what is happening? Like it's insane, how quick time has gone by. - It's so handsome. - Thank you. And he's so sweet, he's such a little gentleman. Watching him come into his own is blowing me away. I can't even keep up. I just remember him going in his room one day. He was like 12, 13. And he came out that room because I used to call him Monch. - Absolutely. - He went in the room as Monch. Monch. - He took a nap, he gon' kill me for saying that. Don't get me, David. But I used to call you that. Listen, he goes in and goes to sleep and he comes out and I said, who is this man? Where is my child, that one nap? His whole, he had a whole new nose. - Oh my God. - He shot up and I was like, it literally, it was a nap. Oh, don't scare me, gentlemen. - I'm telling you, Tiki. - Oh my God, you're not Leo, Leo. - Yes. And he walked out that room and I was like, y'all here only know he got a new nose. Like where's my child? And then he like, yo, I'm DOJ. What? Where's my Monch? - No, he going back after me. - Yes, it's a, like each phase has a new name. So right now we're in the era of DOJ and it's real. Like this is crazy, is. 'Cause his name is David O'Tonga Jr. So people like, why is his name DOJ? Because that's really his initials. - It really is. People be looking for that Hudson. You know, man, don't listen. Don't give me started to listen. - Oh my God. - DOJ is a great, in high school. He's very musical. His thing, he can sing, he wants to be a one man orchestra. I was like, where did this music come from? He like, I've been around music my whole life. So he sits and he creates music, his own beats. He wants to be a one man orchestra where like, he pops out records like every day. That's all he wants to do. And I'm like, who are you? - You, he's you. - I don't even know. - He stood up in that room being creative. Like you was a bitchy guy. - He got me, be okay, creative. But his musical flow is way different from mine. - Oh my gosh, isn't it so great? So, I mean, when he was little, 'cause he talks about being around music all his whole life, which obviously hit your, his mom, was he on the set? Was his like, what was he? - Wow. - He was. - It takes me back. 'Cause I asked him, I was like, would you say you've been around music your whole life? And he like, yeah, mom, I've been around music my whole life. So it made me, as a mom, I know you know. Go back to like old footage and videos and clips. And I see these old videos of him singing so passionately. And I'm like, man, it was there. - It was all alone. - Or I did hairspray live. - Oh. - And so good. - Remember that? - Yeah, love hairspray, yeah. - He was like, sick, someone to say? - Yeah, yeah. And I think back to that, and he will sit in rehearsals and he'd come home. He like, you're not rehearsing choreography, right? It's just movies, that movie. And so when I think back to that now, I'm like, oh, how did I miss that? That it was there all alone? - All alone. - Yeah. - Because they're little to us and they're our kids. And we're like, oh, you know, that's so cute. But they got their whole heart in it. - Yes. - They got their whole like my son. Literally the other day, we're at the house and my sister, my sister is like, talk to my sister. She'd say, hey, queen, you know what you'd say? - Yeah, hey, queen, my son jet back. He said, my mom's the queen. - Yes. - And he, you know, in his mind, he was, we laughing. But for him, he was stuck there. - No. - There's only one queen. - Yes. - Like, he was really serious. And so it was so funny because we don't see it until their body's match. They're sincerity and their passion, but it was always there. So I need some advice. Like, as a boy, mom, like, what do I need to know? Like, what should I be watching out for at this little age that when he gets older, I should keep a test. Like, just tell me what do I need to know. - You know, boys have heart too. And again, I not only do I have my son, but eight other boys. And they, I call it Cam David. - Come on. - I know. Cam David, but that's the truth is Cam David. Anyway, they can be vulnerable and sensitive and allowing them to be that. On, I live, like, you know what I mean? - Yeah, I'm with them, you know what I mean too. - I'll be on, I live with you, you know what I mean? - Yes, like, I spend time with them. Like, it's me and the boys. And I've watched them grow up so much. And it's like, they still are who they are at heart when they was their little kids. They grow up to be men. - Yeah. - But at the core, I was just sitting at dinner with them last night and I'm like, I'm so proud of y'all. You know, to see the young men that they've become to be and how in touch and tune they are. And a lot of them, true, little David and Cam are the babies. They're now 17. The others are like 19, 20, 21 all the way up to 26. And the way they all come back to each other, or come in and check on each other. You want to keep that unity. And you want to also just, again, raising sons, especially black sons. - Yes. - Allowing you to be human. - Have feelings, I love to validate them. Like, no, you have every right to feel how you feel. And it's okay to feel as young men. - Yeah. - Yes, that's awesome. Okay, so, last thing on the motherhood, it goes from I need to protect and teach you to now I have to trust that I have talked to. - Trust your teachings is what I call it. - That's what my parents, I mean, my parents, I talk about that all the time with them with me, right? 'Cause there's a moment where we thickest thieves and then there's a next moment in your early 20s where it's like, you know, but they really, they really love me through that. And they really supported me while still making me feel like I have my own autonomy. So with sons, with, you know, boys, what are you learning as that age really creeps up? That's a work in progress as we speak. I mean, but again, we're very close. It's him who will like, you know, what are he so wise, the things that he say, where it's like, he like, you know, we face a lot of things, but we always go, this is where he put in my birthday card, we can continue to get through it together. We'll say, okay, son, yes. But that's what I mean by instilling those things in your children. And especially for lifestyles like ours, you know? Like, we move around a lot. So I try to keep things as consistent for him as possible. - Yes. - And it's shown that it's, it's paying off. We were just talking about colleges yesterday. And I'm like, David, what are you thinking? And I was like, you're such a homebody. And you love family stuff, you know? Like, so you got to consider that. He like, yeah, you know, I like my people. And I like, he likes to be near. Like when he have a birthday, his birthday. He always said, he said, you know, I'm gonna bring my friends, but I need you to bring the old people. - Okay. - It ain't a party without the old people. He got to bring the old people. So as old people got to be there, he wants everybody. If it's holidays, of course he's a kid to get like all types of stuff. And he'd be like, oh, this is for me and all the boys. It's not just for him. It's for everybody. So like seeing that still resonate in him at now 17 because this is the face for me. Like we're in two different faces. Your face is this way early on. Where you're like, okay, who are they like? You know, what was their favorite color type of thing? I'm at the face, like who did I raise? Like who are you? You're kind of like getting to know your child all over again. Because now everything you invested in them is now blossom. And it's like, okay, who are you? So I'm sitting back where everybody else like, who are you? What are you gonna do? What are you into? What is your contribution to society? What are like, I want to get to know you in this face. Yeah, so I'm so intrigued by him and proud. And again, people are like, what are you gonna do? I don't know David, what you're doing? (laughing) DOJ is what you mean. DOJ, he's gonna be like, he's gonna be DOJ. My boy, I got love for you, boy, hey. I don't even know what this means. I just wanted to be cool with you. Whatever y'all do now, kids. Cause he's gin alpha or gin Z. Oh, I know, it's 2009. What is that? I think that's gin Z. Is that gin Z? It is, okay. Right, somebody from the outside world say yes to us, right? I know gin Z needs to get a driver's license. It's not a driver. (laughing) Hilarie, as he said, I want to show fur music. Okay, let's get into the new music. Cause you're working on new music so hard. I was gonna get, we're gonna do some music, Jennifer. I mean, I feel like I never stop making music. Think about it, you just stop sharing it with us. No, no. Okay, I see what's going on. I think for everything I do. So people are like, oh, she hasn't come out with an album and like, have it many years, I don't even know. But it's like, to me, I consider whatever I think for a soundtrack. Yeah. I'm singing the theme song of a happy place. Yeah. It's still music. Yes, like it's the music as they're guys. I am motivated. And now, I'm not saying a new album is coming just yet, but at some point, it will. I am a motivated, inspired by myself. son who, again, is a musician and then of course, Rashi, because I love how they just go into studio on their own free will. Rashi creates and writes and create material and then little David, he creates his own stuff as well. And I'm like, I want to approach my music like that. I'm a vocalist. So it's like, you send me to the studio to sing a song. Okay, I'm going to studio. I'm going to sing the song. I want to get creative, more creative in that way. So I'm inspired to just go in and just record. But I stay singing. I stay recording towards media projects. So I've been posting pictures here and they're like me in the studio. I'm in the studio. I'll tell no lies. But you know, it ain't for like an album. Like right now, right now. But it will, you know, eventually, you know, the album coming at some point. So who would be on your wish list? I think, for instance, like, I would love to hear what you would come up with Raphael Sadek. Well, Raphael Sadek has written for me before. See another film. I can't think of the nation of it. Black Nativity. We did songs for that. And I think he did a song on one of my albums too. I love working with Raphael Sadek. Because when you talk about the play of it all, I can, I like the band, the instrumentation is it, you know what I mean? That funk that, you know, I'm here for the next. I'm here for the next. Okay. Okay. I would love to hear it. But who else would you see? Who would I like to work with? Yeah. I still want to work with Wycliffe. And that we were talking about doing some stuff together. That would kill. Okay. Over the glasses took me out. Yes. You was like, like, um, that you told me about the church. You know, you got, you know, you got to look over glass. Um, that is so many. I will, I live for the Wycliffe a bit off. Wycliffe. I definitely want to work with him. Yeah. Um, who else could hear you with some, I mean, first of all, you see, I want to say it. I'm excited. I'm ready to produce. I'm ready to create it. Okay. You get in there. I can see you with Will I am doing some type of house type records. Yes. Yes. Will and I, that's my guy. I really do. Um, we'll talk about the will. That's family. Um, will love working with Will. We've worked together before. So like all of them I've worked with before. Um, we just want to hear 2027 or 2026. You in them. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Right? Because I mean, but real too. What do you think? There's a thing too. Like, this is a whole, this would be a whole different version of Jennifer. This album, like, what is your, you know, your conversation around where your life is? What you're doing? What you feel? What you think? What am I saying about that? Yeah. Records. That's what I want to, I want to, I've had so many life experiences, highs and highs, lows and lows, everything in between. And that's what I want all my albums to represent now. Like my story, my voice from that perspective. Because I'm like, the type, well, okay, what am I singing? I'm singing whatever you say sing. It should be my words, my experiences. That's the space I want to come from. Yeah. Now, you know, that's still think about what was the jam? Oh my gosh, we, we all over did it and played it to the nth degree. The thing like a man soundtrack. I love love. Really? Yes. That was fun. I love that soundtrack. Honestly, I think the consensus here is this, I just want to know what a Hudson album. I know you're like. You hear me. Well, stream it, because you know, they just stream it. Oh, stream it. See, that's the H can you stream it? Okay, I play a game with all my guests. Okay. Okay. Okay, so I need to talk about something, because I have been in a set refresh mood and I am not coming out of it anytime soon. You know how I am. When I get into something, I get into it. And right now, it's my space. And I ain't talking about Tom. What sent me was walking into my local IKEA store and realizing they had hundreds of new products I had never seen before. New colors, new textures, whole collections that weren't there last time. I feel like a kid in there, genuinely. I was loving it. So let me show you what I've been obsessed with. First of all, this new cushion. It's giving, yes, honey. I put this on my chairs here and immediately the whole room felt more pooled together. It's one of those pieces where people walk in and go, oh, okay, she's curating. And I'm like, yes, I am. Thank you for noticing. Also, we have candles. Everybody knows I love candles. I got to because I have range. This new one is red berries. I love that scent. And it's like pink, which is already correct because it looks beautiful just sitting there 40 hours of burn time. So she's not going anywhere. And then this one is a fig leaf scent. It's green, as you can see. It has two wicks and it burns for 100 hours, 100. That's not a candle. That's a commitment. And of course, I've got a new lamp. Oh my gosh. Let me tell you about this lamp. Okay. It's LED. It's dimmable. It's smart. And it does the whole color spectrum thing. So I can shift the lighting depending on what energy I'm in. I'm about to take a selfie and I need this lighting to cooperate energy. She adjusts. The glass is white and clean. And it looks like a piece of art just sitting on my table. And of course, for my tea, both literally and figuratively, I grab this new mug, since it's one of those pieces that's simple, but elevated. It feels good in your hand. It looks good on the table. Something like a great mug. Am I right? Fabulous. Here's what I love about all of this. None of it required a renovation. None of it required a whole redesign. I just walked in, found new items that spoke to me, and now my space feels refreshed. And that's what keeps me going back because there's always something new to discover, new colors, new pieces, new collections. I didn't even know existed. It's like a treasure hunt every single time. So if you have them into your local IKEA store in a while, go. I promise you, there's something in there right now that's about to change a whole room for you. Shop the latest products in store or online at IKEA.us/scovernew. I'm really going to put you to the test with this one because this is a game. I mean, look. It's about your personal playlist. I'm basically going to give you a category and you only get to pick one song. Do I get like a multiple choice? No. Okay, well, come on. This is one song. My young folks right now. See what I did there. She didn't even catch it. Oh, wait, what you say? What you say? What you say? It's a gymgirl reference. It's no big deal. Here we go. One Whitney Houston song. One only one. That is so hard. I just love anything Whitney sing. I know. I love. I didn't know my own strength. Yeah. Not down. You better. It's terrible. You better play with me. Okay. That one. I love her Davey. Only one. We done. You chose that. One, a wreath of Franklin's song. Ain't no way. Ain't no way. You said one. You was ready to pick just one Whitney or a wreath of song. Okay. Ain't no way. I will always love you. Share your love with me. She going back. She going back. She she. Do right. This how you was on your birthday. Never loved the man. Okay. And then Whitney. Did I say I will always love you. Greatest of all. I can't believe that I wanted. I want to dance for somebody. He didn't. Didn't. I love. I want to dance with somebody. I didn't even mention that even the honor of mention. One Mariah Carey song. One Mariah. I give my all. That's my friend. When we did that. Hold on. Let me talk about this Mariah. When we did the old center because people like Jennifer's face when they hit the whistle notes. So dang you. We share the same MD now. He produced all our vocals. But when you get your vocals like one of the the references. Yeah. Your vocal is the only thing on it. Yeah. So I didn't hear that whistle. I was like, wait, wait a minute. Let me get up in a. Because sometimes people think my whistle is singing and it's not, but it's whistling. But they could have gave me the third harmony. And then I agree. I didn't know. No, I'm just saying, but I love my already and I love my right MC coming MC. I'm lily back. I didn't hear it until we was like on the video. I'm like, what about whistles? Yeah. Hell. One Michael Jackson's song. Michael's song. Yeah, I did it. I'm gonna have to go with the earth song. That is really good. The earth song. And you know I can't just pick one. I'm bad. I'm bad. You know it. Okay. Come on. I love that. Don't don't don't know what you say right there. But one song that reminds you of Chicago. I want to go with a common song. The corn. Okay. A shot town's finest. Yeah. Okay. One song that describes Jennifer Hudson today. Oh God. Today. Yes. Ooh, that's hard, Keke. Something that represents fabulous. I want to be a billionaire. A billionaire. Whose song is this, Teenie? Hey, Teenie. I love me. My son loves some Afrobeats. Okay. That just came to mind. It's quite affirmative. And I think she told us what's happening. So come. Let's to come. Okay. I'll give two last ones. - Oh, one song that reminds you of childhood. - Oh my God, one song. - Why you do this? I don't know why I wanna say greatest of all. - Hmm. - That just comes to mind. - I was very deep. - I thought of bubble gum bubble gum in a dish, and that ain't even really a song. - Okay, well, I mean, why did I think of bubble gum, bubble gum in it? It's Mary Mack and some old, I was just thinking about hand game. - Okay, I was in church thinking him, style. (laughing) - Okay, you're lucky. - Very nice and grace, too. - Also a fabulous song. Okay, last one is, one song you'd wanna perform at the Super Bowl. - Imagine me doing a half-time show. I already got the vision, Kiki. And I'm telling you, it's gonna come, we know. But look, it'd be like, "Whoo-hoo, flash, flash." And you see my silhouette. (laughing) Ooh, I love that it feels dangerous. - Flash. - Flash. - You know who, whoo-hoo. - Them lights are gonna flash in. - Oh. ♪ I don't like, whoo-hoo. ♪ - Yes. - You see that? ♪ I'm a spotlight, and Kiki gonna come out there with me. ♪ And we would extend that song, how long is it? It's 13 minutes. - In general, the song is really 13 minutes? - No, I'ma make it 13. (beep) The half-time show at the Super Bowl. - Now the song, but Super Bowl, two times. - Right? - Yeah. So, now it's time for me to do my whoo-hoo, spotlight. - I'm here for the spotlight that is always shining with you, Jennifer Hudson, because you are just simply remarkable. - Thank you. - Always. - And I see you, I be so happy. We was cutting up me and Jessica. Oh my gosh, who was all there? - Yes. - Comin' to me. - Yes. - We were all gagging. - I was so happy to see y'all. - Girl, we had you hemmed up in the corner so bad, girl. We would let you know. - I loved every minute of it. - You're just amazing. - Thank you, you're amazing. - Love you to the max. - Thank you for having me. (upbeat music) - I love this idea of second season, because Jennifer is a reminder that just because your life didn't go exactly the way you thought it would, or you've already accomplished things that you once dreamed about, that doesn't mean there aren't new dreams waiting for you. And I think there's something powerful about getting to a place where it's not just what else can I achieve, but what do I actually want more of in my life? Thank you so much, Jennifer Hudson, for such a beautiful conversation. And thank you all, hanging out with me. Until next time, baby, this is Woopy Goldberg. Now I'm getting it. ♪ Baby, this is Kiki ♪ ♪ Baby, this is Kiki Palmer, yeah ♪