Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Jennifer Hudson has started putting herself “first” as she prepares to become an “empty nester”.
The Dream Girls star is mother to 17-year-old son David – from her previous relationship wrestling star David Otunga – who is gearing up to leave home soon and Jennifer is looking forward to having more time on her hands so she can focus on herself and her career.
She told Variety: “This is the chapter of putting myself first. I’m almost an empty nester, and I’m like: ‘Wow, I’m fixing to get a lot of time back. What am I gonna do with that time? How do you put that into yourself?’
“I’ve been disciplined. I’ve crossed every t, dotted every i, and it’s like, but what does it feel like if you take up more space for yourself?”
She went on to add: “It’s my turn now. When we’re always pleasing everyone else, it’s like sitting at a stop sign and you’re letting the other cars go ahead of you. That means we’re stuck in the same place. Something’s gotta give.”
Jennifer has been busy writing music for a new album and she explained she’s leaning on advice from superstar singers Carole King and Aretha Franklin, who she played in movie musical Respect, as she moves forward with her career.
She told the publication: “I only write when I have something I really want to say, and it’s my time for my voice. Carole King and Aretha Franklin both told me: ‘Use your voice.’
“That has never left me. And when I use my voice this time, it’s going to be with my words.”
Jennifer shot to fame as a contestant on American Idol before going on to launch a successful music and acting career as well as launching her own talk show four years ago.
She recently made a return to the TV talent show as a guest judge and she loved her full-circle moment .
Jennifer – who won an Oscar for her role in 2006 movie Dreamgirls – told E! News: “To be on the other side of everything is insane, but it puts how much time has passed into perspective.
‘I’m like: ‘Wow. Idol was 22 years ago. Dreamgirls was 20 years ago’.”
Jennifer is now thrilled to see other aspiring stars follow in her footsteps. She said: “I can return as a judge or mentor on Idol and then be on the production side of Dreamgirls to see someone else get a chance.”
