EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson knows something about being underdressed for a special occasion. During the recent episode of her eponymous daytime television talk show, the former “American Idol” contestant recalled the time she was brought on stage by legendary singer Diana Ross, wearing attire one might only wear inside their home.
While chatting with audience members on Monday, Oct. 3, Hudson recalled going to a Ross concert to “relax.” “I don’t always want to sing. Sometimes you want people to sing to you, but when you’re Jennifer Hudson, that don’t happen, OK. I learned the hard way. I call myself going one time to Diana Ross’ concert.”
The “Dreamgirls” star explained that when she goes to music events, “I like to get in the spirit of that artist.” The Grammy award-winning singer added, “I call myself putting on my little slip dress – not a nightgown – I thought it was a slip dress. … I had a beautiful little pretty soft pale pink scarf. So I thought it was.” She continued, “I guess where I went wrong at it I had what I call ‘fufu she-she’ house shoes with a little poof to it.”
Hudson said she expected to be placed in a skybox where she’d still be able to enjoy the show while holding on to her anonymity. However, when she got there, the actress revealed, “Get there and turns out my seat is at the nose of the stage. Now I’m in the middle of everybody with my flip-flops on.”
She continued, “So, I’m leaving, and as soon as I get to the back door, my security guard says, ‘Diana Ross wants you to come to the stage.” She was stunned, but the “Respect” star ultimately joined the icon stage for a surprise performance, noting, “I was grateful to know the song, but I was so ashamed that I had on those flip-flops y’all.”
Hudson said she learned a valuable lesson that evening, stating, “But if there’s anyone to get a diva lesson from — and I’m the type of chick you only got to tell me one time.” You ain’t going to never see Jennifer come up in nobody else concert with flip-flops. I was so done with myself, and she was so gracious. Thank you, Diana Ross, for not putting me off that stage.”
