Jennifer Hudson would gain weight for movie role

KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) - January 18,2012

"When I do films, it has to be led by something through me - like my passion for it," Hudson said before a book signing in suburban Atlanta on Wednesday. "I just don't want to hop into anything. So if I commit myself to something, then it'll be worth it no matter what character it is."

Last week, Hudson released her book, "I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down." The book touches on how she dealt with her weight issues throughout her career before she lost the extra pounds.

In it, Hudson - who is both a Grammy and Oscar winner - also talked about how she turned down the lead role in the 2009 film "Precious." The role ended up going to Gabourey Sidibe, who was nominated for an Oscar for playing an obese 16-year-old girl who had an abusive mother, an incestuous father and faced extreme poverty.

"I felt it was too graphic for me at the time," she said Wednesday. "It's something I didn't want to do at the time, but I would gain weight in a heartbeat. I have no issues with that at all."

Hudson is a spokeswoman for Weight Watchers and wants to remain physically fit along with her fiance David Otunga, who has recently been wrestling for the World Wrestling Entertainment. They both want to set an early example of staying in shape for their 2-year-old son.

"We really didn't realize how important health was until we were adults," she said. "We wanted to make sure we set an example for our son. He's health conscious, and I am health conscious."

Hudson, who first earned fame as an "American Idol" finalist, won a Grammy for her self-titled album and a supporting actress Oscar for her role in "Dreamgirls."

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