Dreamgirl Hudson is frontrunner for supporting Oscar
"It was terrifying," Jennifer Hudson confessed to me about filming the "Dreamgirls'" blockbuster music number "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" — a classic in Broadway lore that earned another Jennifer (Holliday) the Tony Award as the best actress of 1982.
It's the most anticipated scene in one of the most eagerly awaited movies of the year. Director Bill Condon fretted so much over shooting it that he saved it up for last and closed off the set so no one could spy on the scene. On Broadway, Holliday had just a narrow sliver of stage to pace and wail in anguish as she railed at her music group's manager for dumping her twice: first as lead singer, then as lover. On the film set, Hudson had a vast wide stage to flail, flop, growl and howl.
Since the scene is the romantic heart and musical soul of a beloved Tonys contender-turned-Oscar-best-picture frontrunner, the pressure was on the "American Idol" cast-off hired to portray "The Dreams'" cast-off "Effie" when David Geffen nixed the casting of "Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino. Geffen's bully move turned out to be the salvation of "Dreamgirls" considering how magnificent Hudson is in the role. A test-screening audience not only went crazy for the pic recently in San Diego, but viewers went utterly bonkers over Hudson. Now she can laugh off her loss on "American Idol." All early buzz indicates that "Dreamgirls" is about to transform Hudson into a superstar. Already, she's the frontrunner for the supporting-actress Oscar. Actually, it's surprising she's not a frontrunner for best actress considering Holliday beat her costar Sheryl Lee Ralph (who portrayed Deena — that's Beyonce's role on screen) for the top acting honor at the Tonys, but producers plan to separate the film Dreamdivas at the Oscars, demoting Hudson to supporting because Beyonce has more screen time. And, well, probably just because she's Beyonce. But how ironic considering that's exactly what Beyonce's character does to Hudson's in the "Dreamgirls" story: knocks her out of the lead role!
But humble rookie Hudson seems remarkably cool about all that. "You can imagine how scary and amazing it was to be cast in this movie with giants like Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy," she told me Monday night at a special "Dreamgirls" promo in Los Angeles, "but it was absolutely terrifying when I faced that big stage to perform 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going.'
"I've never seen the musical," she added. A video survives of Holliday performing "Dreamgirls'" big, knock-your-block-off number at the Tony Awards, but Hudson's never seen that either. (To see it yourself — CLICK HERE!)
"All I know is the stage recording," she said. "I just had that to guide my emotions."
So, what did she do to inform her full physical performance? Just follow the direction of Condon carefully? The choreographer? Or did she just thrust her body wherever her emotions took her on that stage?
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Photo left: Jennifer Holliday wowed Tonycast viewers in 1982 with her rafters-shaking perf of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." Photo right: ex-"American Idol" Jennifer Hudson may seem like a sweet, too-timid replacement to appear in the film version at first, but early viewers of the movie say she delivers the full emotional wallop.
(Tony Awards/ DreamWorks)
"A little bit of all of that," she said. "Bill let me try all kinds of things."
Hudson recorded the song prior to staging it, but discovered lots of new tugs and aches while giving a full-throttle, body-hurling performance on that stage, so she went back into a studio and recorded the song again.
When editors pulled the final production together and gave it a fast-paced, quickly chopped, energetic look, witnesses say that Condon and Hudson actually topped the magical, bone-chilling accomplishment that Holliday achieved on a Broadway stage.
Monday night at the "Dreamgirls" promo, Paramount/Dreamworks showed the same 20 minutes of the film that aired at the Cannes Film Festival, plus a discarded trailer, to members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and other media. But no glimpse of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." Not yet. That's the big number producers must save up till the film's December release.
However, the studio did present Jennifer Hudson in person. She wowed the crowd with three musical numbers: a Gladys Knight chestnut ("Where Peaceful Waters Flow"), a "Dreamgirls" standard "One Night Only" plus one of the four new tunes written specifically for the film version — "I Love You, I Do" (to give it four new shots at Oscar noms — old songs don't qualify). Very catchy, very endearing.
I agree, the movie advertisments are very decieving. From the ads and the hype it would seem like Beyonce had the leading role, when in fact, those of us who have seen the musical know that Jennifer Hudson is actually the leading role. I don't think anyone from the studio or the film have gone on the record with this behind the scenes or otherwise. From the reviews, it doesn't seem like Beyonce has a shot in hell as Best Actress...so why move anyone?
Posted by: deborah | August 21, 2006 at 11:16 PM
My goodness stop with the hate! Beyonce is a beautiful and wonderful talent. SHe is not the greatest actress or singer that ever graced the stage but she is quite excellent as a talent. Jeniffer is another great talent whose star is on the ascent. There is room on the stage and in our hearts for both of these great ladies. One doesn't have to be pitted against the other in order for the movie to be a success and they successful in it. Like a previous writer it will be fantastic just seeing beautiful, talented black folk on the big screen not killing, pimping, drugging and whoring. What a relief! I applaud them all Eddie, Jamie, Noni, Beyonce, Jennifer, Danny and the other young man (CC character) whose name escapes me. They all are in a production of the highest value/QUALITY and maybe, just maybe will further disspell the notion that black film /stories want sell tickets.
Posted by: hwd | August 21, 2006 at 03:17 PM
> It's great that Hudson is being submitted in the supporting
> race because that means she'll win the Oscar!
> Meryl Streep will rightly so be nominated for Best
> Actress — and who can compete with her?
Um, let's see, here's a list of women who have beaten Meryl Streep for an Oscar:
Caterine Zeta Jones
Hilary Swank
Gwyneth Paltrow
Susan Sarandon
Kathy Bates
Jodie Foster
Cher
Geraldine Page
Shirley MacLaine
Katharine Hepburn
Maggie Smith
If anything, the tendency to nominate Streep (which is totally deserved, she is an incredible talent that is underappreciated) but not actually award her because there is some notion that she *always wins* means you would want to be in the same category as her - she essentially blocks a nomination slot but probably won't win (again, only based on the "doesn't she have enough" logic).
Posted by: rupert | August 17, 2006 at 09:42 AM
Many of you are putting the proverbial cart before the horse thinking that Jen Hudson already has the Oscar in the bag. Jennifer's a good talent, but she has YET to prove herself to an international audience of her acting skills.
I would just as soon wait and reserve judgement of the movie in December. Dreamgirls won't be the only consideration for an Oscar - guaranteed.
Posted by: Jeanne | August 17, 2006 at 07:36 AM
I watch "American Idol" and Jennifer Hudson is one of my favorite contestants of this show. I am very happy to see her career blossom. I loved every clip, trailer, promotion of "Dreamgirls" I've seen and, definitely, this is my most antecipated movie of the year. I can't wait to see it.
Thank God for David Geffen for standing beside Jennifer! Thank God for Bill Condom, such an amazing director. I am really happy to see the treatment he's been giving to Jennifer.
And Jennifer, just one note for you: be ready to become a HUGE star! We are all rooting for you!!!
Posted by: Kamila | August 17, 2006 at 06:59 AM
I have to agree with many of the comments already posted (especially "Theo") in the original broadway production Sheryl Lee Ralph (Deena) was supposed to have been the "star" of the show, but after opening night and Jennifer Holliday brought down the house with "And I'm Telling You...." it was obvious who was gonna be the break out star (and shoo-in for the Best Actress Tony Award) Effie IS a lead character but this film version has been re-written to focus more on Deena (Beyonce) and so therefore a supporting nomination for J. Hud is the smarter move. Beyonce is not that good an actress but from what i've seen and heard she has stepped up to the plate with this role and shown more range that she has in previous work (and lets face it, she truly was born to play this part...in many ways she IS Deena Jones) my bet though is she has a better chance at winning a nomintation for Best Song (for "Listen".. Deena's solo) which she wrote for the film) then Best Actress! Its sad to me though Anika Noni Rose hasnt been mentioned AT ALL in all this buzz! She was incredible in "Caroline Or Change" and i cant wait to see her take on Lorrell...that girl can sing down! I only hope she doesnt get overlooked by Academy voters (or the critics) as well. Anyway, i just pray that this film lives up to the hype because i have been in love with this show since i was a kid (and lucky enough to have seen a video of the OBC) and so ive been waiting to see this come to the big screen for years! All the nomination talk is great (and im sure well deserved) but the true testimony of this film will be if it lives up to the legacy of the great late Michael Bennett and helps introduce a new generation to one of the greatest musicalf of all time! (and in the process perhaps make a "star" overnight to yet another Jennifer!:)
Posted by: ARMANI FISCHER | August 17, 2006 at 05:20 AM
Jennifer Hudson should be considered in leading race, because Beyonce won't be nominated (Academy isn't that stupid... yet). If someone plays leading role, he/she should be nominated in leading category, IMO.
Posted by: Paul | August 17, 2006 at 03:51 AM
When I watched Jennifer Hudson lose American Idol, somehow I knew she would go on to become a sensation.
Bravo to David Geffen!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Miriam Jakubowitz | August 16, 2006 at 10:40 PM
It's great that Hudson is being submitted in the supporting race because that means she'll win the Oscar! Meryl Streep will rightly so be nominated for Best Actress — and who can compete with her? Anyway, Dreamgirls is really an ensemble project, so they should ALL be in the supporting category. Go Jennifer.
Posted by: Nelson Branco | August 16, 2006 at 10:34 PM
Actually, I think that's a pretty smart move for the studios to move Jennifer Hudson to the supporting actress category for Oscar consideration.
What you will mostly discover about the supporting actor/actress category is that the winners are usually actors in scene-stealing roles. While it is unfortunate that the movie was probably beefed up for Beyonce, it cannot take away from the fact that Effie White is a dynamic character who overshadows the characters in the story purely by the virtuosity of the role.
It's also a smarter bet for the win; musicals in the past have relegated "lead" actress roles in supporting categories (i.e. Catherine Zeta Jones being considered for best supporting actress in "Chicago", even though her performance is more dynamic than Renee Zellweger).
I expect us to be wowed.
Posted by: Theo | August 16, 2006 at 08:38 PM
I'm not completely convinced that the studio actually IS doing this. I mean did someone from the film actually SAY it? Or does everyone assume that because of the promo advertisements, which are a bit decieving?
Posted by: Nellie | August 16, 2006 at 06:54 PM
I am so pleased for Jennifer when I saw her on American Idol I predicted that she would move on to bigger and better things.
Congratulations Jennifer for such an brilliant performace. Unto whom much is given much is required.
Posted by: DrFlo | August 16, 2006 at 06:41 PM
Thank God for David Geffen! While Fantasia is a great talent, this would have been a miscast. Jennifer Hudson brings a powerhouse voice that can cut through you like a knife. I still remember her performing "Circle of Life" on American Idol. It sent chills through me. Efffie's songs need to have the raw emotion and "power" behind them. I can't wait to see this film and Jennifer Hudson's performance. Don't throw in the towel on Beyonce just yet. I think she may just surprise everyone.
Posted by: Kim | August 16, 2006 at 03:59 PM
Beyonce is what she is and Jennifer is what she is. The movie industry is a business and I understand placing Beyonce as a headliner but I have no doubt that Ms. Hudson will show that she is indeed a star and tremendously talented. I'm just so pleased to finally see a movie about African American women who are not whores, drug addicts, state supportecd with a dozen kids without a father get made on such a glorious scale. Let's just hope that this is only the beginning.
Posted by: RMB | August 16, 2006 at 03:12 PM
Great for Jennifer. I loved her on "Idol". Beyonce is a great talent as well. Let's be happy for both of them. It's not necessary to lift one of them up by putting the other one down. Kudos to them and the film!
Posted by: B | August 16, 2006 at 02:25 PM
I'm not surprised about Jennifer Hudson. She was incredible on American Idol and I was shocked when she was cut. She had so much emotion and talent, I'm really pleased that she is getting her due.
Posted by: Leah | August 16, 2006 at 12:13 PM
It's sickening and pathetic that they would put Hudson in the supporting actress category just to make room for Beyonce. Do they HONESTLY think that the Academy would EVER give that woman a nomation? EVER? She's embarassing, and she will become yesterday's news when this film comes out because all the buzz will be about the incredible talent of J. Hud.
Posted by: Chris Evans | August 16, 2006 at 11:59 AM
I don't think Beyonce has the acting abilities to win an Oscar anyway. Unless daddy pays off the academy.
Posted by: Marie | August 16, 2006 at 10:41 AM