Jennifer Hudson turned down lead role in 'Precious'
CLUTCH - Apparently, Lee Daniels wanted to cast Hudson, but after losing weight when 'Dreamgirls' wrapped, she just couldn't stomach the idea of packing on the pounds again to play the downtrodden and abused teen...
by Britni Danielle
Clutch Magazine
Jennifer Hudson is gearing up to release her memoir, I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down and in it she talks about more than just her astounding weight loss. One of the tidbits J-Hud talks about being offered the lead role in Lee Daniels’ critically acclaimed film, Precious.
Apparently, Daniels wanted to cast Hudson, but after losing weight when Dreamgirls wrapped, she just couldn’t stomach the idea of packing on the pounds again to play the downtrodden and abused teen.
Hudson writes: “I had done that with Effie and as much as I was moved by this film, I wanted to try a role that had nothing whatsoever to do with my weight.”
Instead, the role went to newcomer Gabourey Sidibe who was nominated for an Oscar and has parlayed her success into several other roles, including the Showtime series The Big C.
But could have Hudson have pulled off the role as well as Sidibe?
While we may never know, one thing is clear: Gabourey inhabited that role and it’s hard picturing anyone else — including J-Hud — doing it justice.
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