Jennifer Hudson on her biggest talk-show challenges, and how she 'Jennifer-ized' the 'Ellen' set

BURBANK, Calif. – How does Jennifer Hudson top winning the title of youngest female EGOT winner ever, at 40 – one of the elite performers to win Emmy, Grammy (two, actually), Oscar and Tony awards?

The superstar "American Idol" alum, who won her Oscar as Effie in 2006's "Dreamgirls," takes a transformative step to daytime talk-show host. Hudson began her own one-hour nationally syndicated "The Jennifer Hudson Show" Monday  (check local listings),  her 41st birthday.

"The timing is perfect because I've been in this industry 20 years acting and singing," says Hudson, speaking in her bustling new Burbank office space. "At this point, I simply want to be me, the person.  And I want to get to know everybody's person and their stories. I'm ready to talk."

"Hudson" features a mix of celebrity interviews, topical stories, community heroes, "viral sensations," and (naturally) music.

Her first guests are "Idol" judge Simon Cowell, in their first reunion since she competed; Viola Davis; and NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson. "The Jennifer Hudson Show" will make its new home in the studio of retired host Ellen DeGeneres, one of several daytime mainstays who have exited, along with Maury Povich and Wendy Williams.

Hudson talked with USA TODAY about her role in a challenged daytime landscape, with an emerging  generation of newer hosts, including fellow "Idol" competitor Kelly Clarkson, who begins her fourth season Monday, when Sherri Shepherd also launched a new show, replacing Wendy Williams.

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Question: So an exciting adventure as a talk show host, but a new world for you. What's it going to be like when that red studio light goes on?

Hudson: They will probably give me a red light. Or a green light. But I'm an actress. So can I get an "action!" instead? I have to learn what's the word they all use when it's time to start.

Q: What challenges have surprised you with this new job?

Hudson: Cue cards are a little unnatural to me. And when we did practice shows, I like to look people in the face and talk to them. They're like, "Jennifer, face the camera." But (the guest) is right here! I really like it to be what you would naturally do. And then I get the note, "You talk too much; shut up."  But I want to connect with every single person. They're like, "She's still going!"

Q: "The Jennifer Hudson Show" is your new baby, will this mean we won't see you in movies or in the recording studios?

Hudson: No, I just finished a film called "Breathe" about a pandemic with no oxygen. I was the lead, and it was very challenging, very different from what I have done. I was really adamant, that just because I'm doing a talk show, does not mean I'm going to stop singing and acting and doing all of these things. This is who I am. There's going to be more films down the line, and obviously an album. Soon.

Q: What's it like entering the talk show arena with fellow "American Idol" competitor Kelly Clarkson?

Hudson: We love each other so much. She reached out to me to ask if I needed any help or advice. It feels good, because she knows the ropes. And Sherri Shepherd sent me flowers. I love that she's from Chicago,  like me. We all want to see each other shine.

Q: You're taking over Ellen's previous stage. What have you done to the place?

Hudson: It's been Jennifer-ized. I want you to feel a sense of my person when you come into it. I'm thinking of getting a bird that will sing my song "Spotlight" when you walk in. And when you leave, it's going to sing, "I'm not going ..."

Q: In 2011, a Texas snowstorm delayed your plane and you were late for "The Oprah Winfrey Show." How will that affect how you treat late guests?

Hudson: I still have anxiety from that. You only got to tell me one time. It'll never happen again. We took every precaution. When does it snow in Texas? I flew back in and had to go straight to the show. I whipped my own tail because I didn't sleep for three days. So it was a lesson well learned.

Q: You just won your EGOT-completing Tony in April. Where are you storing all this trophy hardware?

Hudson: They're all in my home in Chicago and I put them all together. You hear people talking about the EGOT, but you don't see them together. So I was like, "Emmy, this is Tony, this is Oscar and Grammys. You're all a family now."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jennifer Hudson: Daytime talk's new EGOT star reveals big challenges