CP NEWS: Dream Concert with the Dreamgirl

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You've seen her on American Idol. You'll be seeing her in Dreamgirls. And now, in a few weeks, you'll see her in person. Jennifer Hudson hits the Hammerstein Ballroom on the eve of New Year's Eve Eve -- December 30th -- to perform at a concert with Junior Vasquez.

Wanna go?

Clubplanet is giving out two pairs of complimentary tickets (so, 4 tickets, total) to our loyal readers. (They have an $80 value, and they'll cost $100 at the door.)

To enter the contest, just e-mail WinTickets@Clubplanet.com.

In the meantime, Clubplanet caught up with the only good thing to ever come out of American Idol. Jennifer talks about Dreamgirls, what she learned from American Idol, and whether she'll give tickets to Simon.

Clubplanet: So how'd you get this role?

Jennifer Hudson: They actually called me to come and audition for it. They requested that I did not sing “And I Am Telling You…” so they wanted me to sing a song that would tell the story, that could be portrayed and to draw people in as a storytelling thing. So I asked if I could sing the song “Easy to be Hard” from the Broadway production Hair.

What was your reaction when you found out you got the part?

Oh, I was so excited. The first thing I did was call my mother (laughs). I said hello, I got the part and it was so exciting. Had a little intimate party to celebrate it.

You have any acting experience in school?

In school they always just had me do the solos in the plays, I didn’t get a chance to act. But the only other acting experience I’ve had that’s still no comparison to this was working on the Disney Cruise ship where I would narrate the show Hercules the musical and I did all the vocals. And I was also in Big River, but I didn’t have any lines to sing from.

What was it like to act with Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Muprhy?



It was my dream because Beyonce and Jamie are two of my favorite artists. To be able to work with them and be a part of such a great cast was an honor really and it was a learning experience really to just learn from the best.

So what's up with all that supposed controversy between you and Beynoce?

I don’t know, I just think that people just automatically do that anyway. Anytime something good is going on they’ll find some way to throw something into there. I don’t understand why it always has to be that way, you know? It’s an ensemble cast and we all had a great part in it and whatever happens it’s a part of our work as a whole.

How much fun did you have with the costumes?

Costumes was so exciting and the wigs was my favorite and the makeup. I took a picture of every single hairdo. It’s a girl’s dream to be able to dress up in the different hair and costumes. I love it.

So are you a big Supremes fan?

The only time I’ve actually ever sang a Supremes song was on American Idol and I forgot the words, but I have not sang many of their songs. I do love their songs, though.

Dreamgirls seems to be about the distinction between "real" music and music produced to make money. Have you had to deal with that conflict yet?

You hit it on the head, definitely, because I love just real music and more of the style of what Effie does, but that doesn’t really sell today. Right now, at the same time, I’m preparing to do my project and I’m okay what am I going to do? I want to do real music, but I also want to do music that sells without selling out so I’m still trying to figure out how to approach this so it’s definitely something that’s fresh in my brain.

Why do you think labels think people can’t handle real music?

Well, there’s a time for everything and real music is a little out though, but I think it could make a comeback and Dreamgirls is a great way to bring it back and make people appreciate it because being in one of the screenings, I went into a couple more but just for the end, and it was the kids of today who wasn’t around when Aretha and Whitney were out, but they received it so well and I was shocked, like wow, they taking this in? So I think this will help to bring it back to being real music and music that sells.

People are already whispering about giving you an Oscar nomination. Your thoughts?



Wow, goodness, there’s so much excitement going on. I think that is such a great honor and I can’t believe I’m hearing this, you know? All I wanted was the part so I’ll have to cross that bridge when I get to it.

What was the biggest lesson you learned from American Idol?

Well, if I could get through Idol I can get though anything for one. Idol I learned so much from it, just the experience of it. It’s about a lot of hard work, like a celebrity prepping boot camp. It’s nothing compared to this, but it’s a good starting point to teach you so much about the industry.

Are you going to buy Simon a ticket to the show?

[Laughs.] No, I’m not. I already gave my tickets away, but I’m sure he’s already seen it. It seems like everybody in Hollywood has seen it by now. But no, Simon is not on my guest list.

To win tickets to see Jennifer Hudson on December 30th, e-mail WinTickets@Clubplanet.com.

For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.

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