Jennifer Hudson on Why She Wanted to Make a Christmas Album Now & Interviewing Michelle Obama | Billboard News

Jennifer Hudson shares to Billboard Pop Shop hosts Katie Atkinson and Keith Caulfield about why she wanted to make her Christmas album ‘The Gift of Love,’ how she chose the songs both classics and new originals she co-wrote, interviewing Michelle Obama on her talk show and more!

Jennifer Hudson

I don’t know what could top ever top her as a guest is hands out my favorite by far. 

Tetris Kelly 

Jennifer Hudson dropped by Billboard’s Pop Shop podcast with Keith Caulfield and Katie Atkinson to discuss her new holiday album, The Gift of Love,’ and her recent interview with Michelle Obama. We talk about the song selections for the album, the inspiration and why now was the time to do it? 

Jennifer Hudson  

Well, because I’ve always wanted to do a holiday album, and I couldn’t think of a better time than now. The question to me, I think, is, why not now, you know? And I finally was able to narrow it down to my favorite Christmas songs… 

Keith Caulfield   

Your favorite things? 

Jennifer Hudson   

Yes my favorite things there you go, yeah, and pick, you know, the songs that was most personal to me for this holiday album.

Keith Caulfield 

You know, this album has familiar favorites, like, we just, I just sort of hinted at “My Favorite Things,” but also some new material that you co-wrote. What was the process like for you to determine the songs that you wanted on the album? Like, how did you decide what would ultimately be on the album? 

Jennifer Hudson  

Originals or classics? 

Keith Caulfield 

Well, let’s start with the classics.

Jennifer Hudson 

Well, okay, so that’s what I’m saying. Like, it was difficult to say, I love all holiday music first of all. So it’s like, how do I narrow it down to know what to put on the holiday album? But I picked what was most personal to me, like “The Christmas Song.” For instance, my grandmother used to love that song, so I recall hearing that as a little girl throughout each and every holiday of her playing that song.

Watch the full video above!