Jennifer Hudson steals Dreamgirls away from Beyonce

[teforde23]

December 1, 2006 -- THE much-buzzed about new "Dreamgirls" movie is overflowing with stars - Beyoncé! Eddie Murphy! Jamie Foxx! - but the biggest one is a name you've likely long forgotten.

Remember that one weird "American Idol" season a few years back where people started talking about issues of racism and the curvy girl with the amazing set of pipes got booted from the show early on?

Yeah, well, she just made Beyoncé look like a pretty extra.

Meet, once again won't you, Jennifer Hudson, the chills-inspiring, coast-to-coast ovation-getting new stunner who beat out 782 other hopefuls to play sidelined star Effie White, and inspired Oprah to say that listening to her sing was like "a religious experience . . . She makes the little hairs on the back of your neck stand up."

But even someone with the power to give Oprah religion can't stop Hollywood from being Hollywood. In a case of life imitating art, the breakout Hudson is being pushed aside for the fabulous Ms. Beyoncé.

Although the new Diana Ross and the Supremes-tinged movie is an ensemble cast, the Paramount/DreamWorks team behind the $70 million Christmas release has been pushing for Beyoncé in its Best Actress campaign in Variety trade ads, while the scene-stealing Hudson is relegated to Best Supporting Actress.

"It's clear from the early reviews that Jennifer Hudson is the star," says Fred Mwangaguhunga, editor of MediaTakeOut.com, an African-American gossip site. "And it's unfortunate that the producers can't go with that because she's a great story."

Jennifer Hudson is beyond a great story. She is the story. Like Effie, the character she plays in the movie who gets pushed aside for the gorgeous Deena (based, some would say, on Ross) played by Beyoncé, Hudson is the original underdog. In the movie, she is "the struggle character," notes hollywood-elsewhere.com columnist Jeffrey Wells.

"She's about being hurt and being pigeonholed and cast aside, partly because her character is a pain in the ass," he says. "But also because she's - not fat - but she's large."

In real life, Hudson could pen a lyric or two about being a "Survivor" herself. Booted from "American Idol" in 2004 amid controversy over the voting system, definitely a little bit too wide by Hollywood's standards, she is a former cruise ship entertainer, for crying out loud. And now she's on "Oprah" with Simon Cowell personally apologizing, almost begging, to boot? This kind of thing just doesn't happen.

Oh, but it gets better.

"From what we understand, Oprah personally called Jennifer Hudson on her performance, and that same call wasn't given to Beyoncé," says Mwangaguhunga. "Getting a call from Oprah is to most entertainers probably more important than getting a call from the president of the United States. It's someone letting you know that you've arrived."

It gets uglier still - as MediaTakeOut also reported that Beyoncé's father was livid about the final cut of the movie.

"Initially, the Deena part was pushed to Beyoncé because it was going to be her big acting debut," he says. "When Matthew Knowles saw the final cut he was really upset because it was as if they brought Beyoncé in just for star power. But at that point, there wasn't anything that could be done.

"If you look at it from Beyoncé's standpoint," he continues, "she's always been the star of whatever she's done. This is sort of a new situation, and she's not very comfortable with that role."

But no worries, Hollywood's not comfortable with it either. Even though critics are saying Hudson's performance makes Beyoncé look like just another pretty face - not at all bad, but just, you know, kind of eh - it is the flawless former Destiny's Child singer who is still commanding the marketing and Oscar blitz limelight.

"Beyoncé is not happening," Wells says. "Her character is barely there. She is all basically smiles. Nice singing. Beautiful. Obviously, you know, photogenic, nice stage presence, fluttering eyelashes, but there's not anything happening of an extraordinary nature. I'm not trying to snicker and say she's not good or anything. She's fine. But if we're talking superlatives, if we're talking your end-of-the-year kind of stuff, it's just OK."

Then again, like the jawdropping number in the movie when Hudson belts out "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," which has been inspiring standing ovations in early screenings, this too could end up being a moment of redemption for the former "Idol"-er. In a Best Actress category sure to be crowded by A-listers like Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet and Helen Mirren, throwing a newcomer like Hudson up in that competition would be akin to throwing her to the wolves.

"The art of campaigning for the Oscars is very, very complex," notes Martin Grove, a columnist with Hollywood Reporter Online. "You don't want to introduce to that group a complete newcomer. There's no way to control what the Academy does, but by positioning her for Best Supporting Actress it's very smart Oscar strategizing on the part of Paramount and DreamWorks. "She may have lost 'American Idol,' " Grove adds. "But she's definitely an American star."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12012006...ler.htm?page=0
I'm sure her dad didn't want Beyonce to play the "ugly" character in the movie

[Dean James]

TEAM HUDSON!!! I can't wait to see her...

[yoyoma]

I really hope she gets the acknowledgement for her performance!
She really deserves it.

[Lily]

I am unbelievably happy for her. It's just a beautiful story. Go Jennifer! Wooo hoooooo!

[SweetPea]

It's a shame they have to cater to the wrong one!

[Skiminims]

Rumors of Beyonce's feelings being true or not, stars like her should be welcoming new talent like Hudson with open arms. She's got an awesome voice. Everyone deserves their chance to shine. I can't stand diva behavior.

[KristiB]

There is no Beyonce the person, there is only the Beyonce the corporation. You have to feel sorry for her, when she's asked a question she doesn't even try to answer it if her parents are there they do all the talking for her.

That said I hope Jennifer gets an Oscar and the camera pans to Beyonce's face and she pulls a Faith Hill!

[SweetPea]

I feel the same way!

[Lily]

I hope Jennifer gets an Oscar and the camera pans to Beyonce's face and she pulls a Faith Hill!

Me three! Except Beyonce's not going to get nominated for anything. Ha ha!

[happy8]

"If you look at it from Beyoncé's standpoint," he continues, "she's always been the star of whatever she's done. This is sort of a new situation, and she's not very comfortable with that role."


Oh get over yourself daddy knowles, you & pappa joe need to take a hike.

Team Jennifer!

[Lily]

Look at it from Beyonce's standpoint? Um, no. She's acting like a spoiled brat. You just can't always be the star. Period. Frankly, she'd probably earn more fans and keep the ones she has (both of them ha ha ha) if she were a gracious and generous artist and was showing Jennifer some support. She's just making herself look awful, and frankly, she's not deserving of all the stardom she has anyway.

[darksithbunny]

Wait a minute. When it comes to Jennifer, how come they say Hollywood won't like a newcomer getting nominated for an Oscar but it's ok if Beyonce does? WTF? She's a newcomer too. God. Give it to the better performance, damn it. TEAM JENNIFER.

[Aella]

Team Jennifer, all the way!

The funny thing is I used to like Beyonce, back when she was making catchy tunes with Destiny's Child, and I had no idea what her personality was like. It's amazing how completely my opinion has shifted.

And Jennifer is simply awesome. I wish her all the best in her career.

[ediebrooks]

I don't know anything about Jennifer Hudson, and have never even heard her sing, but I am definitely on her team. Beyonce is such a no-talent.

[sprynkles]

I saw Jenn and Beyo on some show, while Jennifer shined and spoke with enthusiasm, the "beautiful one" (lol) kind of just sat there like a vapid lump. I may go see this one.