The morning I was scheduled to interview Jennifer Hudson, “American Idol” finalist turned movie star via her triumphant performance as Effie in Dreamgirls, was the same morning Oprah was airing the segment on her show in which she personally called Hudson to relay her feelings about her portrayal of Effie. Oprah called it a “transcendent performance … a religious experience … fierce.” Few would disagree. So it was understandable that our interview was briefly interrupted about halfway through so that Hudson could watch the spot in her suite at the Peninsula Hotel. Hudson better get used to such accolades because her movie acting debut is the stuff of legends.

Gay & Lesbian Times: Unlike Chicago or Phantom of the Opera, or even Rent, Dreamgirls is not the kind of musical that has had many long-running productions or revivals. Were you ever able to see a stage production of the show?

Jennifer Hudson: Actually, no. I was born the year Dreamgirls came out [big smile], so of course I missed that. But, thank God, because had I not missed it, I wouldn’t be sitting here now [laughs].

GLT: Dreamgirls opens with the “Star of Tomorrow” contest. As someone who was a contestant on “American Idol,” how do you feel about talent competitions and contests?

JH: I think it’s a good vehicle and a good experience, and for people to learn and be seen. That’s where I got a lot of my experience from – participating in talent shows and things like that. Thank God for “Idol,” because had it not been for “Idol,” Dreamworks would have never known of Jennifer Hudson and called to say, “We want you to come out and audition for Dreamgirls.” So, I’m grateful for that opportunity.

GLT: Dreamgirls is a period piece, something reflected in the hairstyles and costumes. There seemed to be two sets: the period clothing that Effie would wear in her daily life and the clothing she wore performing as one of the Dreamettes/ Dreams. How did you like dressing up in the performance wear?

JH: Oh, my God, that’s every girl’s dream, to dress up in the performance styles. I took a picture of every single wig. Every day they were like, “What is she in there doing?” And I’d be in there [bashful laugh] – the makeup, the clothes, the shoes. My least favorite part was the shoes, now, I have to say. That just wasn’t for me. I renamed all the shoes to “three-toe” and “four-toe” shoes because five toes are not going to fit [laughs] in the shoes. The wardrobe was fun for a girl, of course.

GLT: What about the day-to-day clothes that Effie wears?

JH: Jennifer [Hudson] wouldn’t wear Effie’s clothes at all. From time to time, they had to dress Jennifer for an event that I would have to go to and then you have to dress Effie. They would bring me things, and I would be like, “If you’re dressing me, no, that’s Effie.” I wanted things that would fit that character that would make me feel like Effie. As long as it made me feel like the character, it was fine with me.

GLT: You were at the screening in Chicago on Nov. 15. How did it feel to be there and to hear the audience’s reaction to your performance in the movie, and particularly of your performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”?

JH: Every time that scene comes about, I get really nervous. I literally balled up in my chair [laughs] and went, “Oh, my God, it’s coming!” It’s a touchy song. Everybody is sensitive about it. [Everybody] has some kind of connection, relation to it, love for it, something. It’s exciting when they receive it and they receive it well. It’s like, whew! Thank God they liked it! It’s a relief.

GLT: Not only do you share the same first name with the original Broadway Effie, Jennifer Holliday, but you also have the same initials. Do you take that to be a sign?

JH: Out of all the excitement, the thing that blows my mind the most is the fact that we’ve got the same initials. I think it’s a namesake thing. It’s weird!

GLT: Loretta Devine, who originated the role of Lorell in the Broadway production of Dreamgirls, also appears in the movie. Did you get to talk to her at all?

JH: Yes! We sat side by side. I had the honor of meeting her. I sang for Sheryl Lee Ralph’s “Divas Simply Sing” event, so I had a chance to meet her. I still haven’t had the opportunity to meet Miss Holliday yet, but when I do I’m going to pass out. Because it’s like, “Oh, my God, this is not Jennifer Holliday right here!” But Miss Loretta Devine was so sweet, so amazing. [She was] such an honor to work with. Come on, it’s Loretta Devine, one of the original Dreamgirls.

GLT: Diana Ross was nominated for an Academy Award for her feature film debut in Lady Sings the Blues. There seems to be similar buzz regarding your performance. What would an Oscar nomination mean to you?

JH: Dude, I can’t get past the moment of – all of that is like: “You’ve got to be kidding me! Are you serious?” So, it’s just…

GLT: [Holding up the Nov. 17, 2006, issue of Entertainment Weekly with Hudson and fellow Dreamgirls on the cover] Do you want to see it?

JH: I know! I know it’s real! All I wanted was the part, so to hear my name in the same breath as that, I’m just grateful to have the role.

GLT: Do you hope to incorporate singing in future film roles?

JH: I would love to do more musicals, definitely. But what I would love to do is separate the two, and do music in the music industry and movies in the movie industry. But later, down the line, yes, I would love to.

GLT: The movie version of Dreamgirls has been a long time coming. And let me tell you that there are a lot of gay men counting on you. What would you say to the gay men who have pinned their dreams on you?

JH: What I would say is, for one, I can’t wait because I love the gay community. I am a huge fan. I would love for them to come in and know that it’s a whole other language and just be open to it. It’s a different language from the theater world. This is the movie world, so it’s a totally different approach. Just come on in. I want them to see it and live it. We put our hearts in it – just know that.