Jennifer Hudson arrives at 2007 GM Ten Fashion Show at the Paramount Studios Hollywood, California. (February 20, 2007). Photo Credit: Luis Martinez / Splash News19 March 2007 (Sawf News) - Jennifer Hudson, has refuted recent media suggestions of a diva attitude and says when she referred to her run on American Idol 2004 as a stepping stone she 'didn't mean it in a bad way.
In a phone interview from Chicago last week she told AOL Black Voices Columnist Jawn Murray, "I'm still the same girl! People know who I am. What you see is what you get and the stuff they are putting out there about me is not true and it hurts."
Hudson contends a recent Page Six story that said she wanted to back out of performing at the taping of the Soul Train Awards show in Los Angeles on 10 Mar 2007 was unfair because it singled her out despite the fact that she actually performed. Actually just two winners showed up -- The Isley Brothers(Best Album - Group) and Webstar and Young B. (Best R&B/Soul or Rap Dance Cut). Hudson, who was presented the Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year, was the only big name in the house!
The story incorrectly implied that celebrities such as Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Gnarls Barkley, Beyoncé and Jay-Z showed up.
"I appreciated being honored there just as much as I appreciated being honored at all the award shows I attended. Why would they dog me out after I was the one of the only people to show up to the show," says a disappointed Hudson.
Similarly, Hudson says the flak she has received from those running American Idol is not justified , "They haven't mentioned or aired on television that I called them up myself recently and asked to meet with this year's contestants. I went by and surprised the contestants and the 'American Idol' cameras recorded it all. They just are focusing on the negative stuff."
Hudson claims video clips put together by news magazine show 'Extra!' that show the usually hostile Simon continually admiring and praising her during her run on the American Idol 2004 are out of context. The magazine, where Cowell's girlfriend Terri Seymour works as a correspondent, left out footage with Cowell's insults about her weight and negative critiques of her performances.
She defends her contention that American Idol was a stepping stone.
"Yes, I did say 'American Idol' was a stepping stone, which it is! I didn't mean it in a bad way … had it not been for them, no one would have known of a Jennifer Hudson to call to audition for 'Dreamgirls!' It's like everything I say referring to the show gets twisted around and makes me look like I'm being arrogant and a 'diva'."
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