OSCAR NOMINEES: Kate Hudson on ‘Glass Onion,’ ‘Music’ and Finding Her Voice (December 2022)

Summary

---

Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Kate Hudson on ‘Glass Onion,’ ‘Music’ and Finding Her Voice

Episode Date: March 14, 2026
Guest: Kate Hudson
Host: Willie Geist

---

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation between Willie Geist and Academy Award-nominated actress Kate Hudson. Their discussion centers on Hudson’s role as Birdie Jay in the hit film "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," her reflections on life and career post-pandemic, her ventures beyond acting (including business and music), and her personal growth, especially around family and motherhood. The conversation highlights Hudson's humor, self-awareness, and her ongoing drive to challenge herself creatively in every aspect of her life.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Connecting Post-Pandemic & Finding Balance

• The Joy of Returning to In-Person Engagement
  • Hudson reflects on how much she enjoys engaging with people post-pandemic, especially during in-person movie Q&As.
    • "Being in person and going into the movie theaters and doing Q&As and talking about this movie with an audience, it's been really great." (03:13)
  • She values balancing her extroverted, public life with being a homebody:
    • "I'm not, like, as extroverted as people think...I reach a level of being out, and then...the world starts to crush in on me, and I'm like, get me to my house." (03:28–04:02)
• Personal Reflection During the Pandemic
  • Hudson describes how the forced downtime prompted self-examination about her next steps and ambitions:
    • "At this time in my life, like, 40s, early 40s, like, what am I doing? Where am I at? What do I want to be doing?" (04:12)
  • She acknowledges the importance of changing perspectives over time and the evolution that comes with life’s different phases:
    • "We should be able to change our minds as things change and evolve and grow, and we should have different perspectives on things." (05:10)

2. The Allure of ‘Glass Onion’ and Kate Hudson’s Role as Birdie Jay

• Inspiration from Rian Johnson and the Ensemble Cast
  • Hudson praises the writing and ingenuity of director Rian Johnson in both "Knives Out" and "Glass Onion":
    • "Rian Johnson is something else. He really is just a phenomenal writer...almost impossible [to write a script like that]." (08:30–08:55)
  • She was enthusiastic and eager to be cast upon reading the script:
    • "I remember reading [for Birdie Jay] and I was like, oh, man, come on, put me in, coach. Like, this is right up my alley." (10:06)
• Understanding the Character of Birdie Jay
  • Hudson dives into the character’s tone-deaf nature and need for validation:
    • "I'm not so sure that she's as intelligent as she thinks she is...she has such a desperate need to be validated and loved and seen." (12:17)
  • Challenges of delivering some of Birdie’s more outrageous lines:
    • "When I read it, I was like, oh, my God. Even some of the things coming out of my mouth, I was like, if it wasn't Rian Johnson, I'd be scared." (13:38)
• Notable Quote (Regarding Her Nickname & Character's Name):
  • "Kurt and Boston call me Birdie the most, but that’s my nickname since I was, like, four...so when I was on set and people would call me by my character name, it...never felt like I had to get used to it." (24:29–25:12)

3. Chemistry and Joy with the Star-Studded Cast

• Reuniting and Building New Connections
  • Especially poignant was Hudson’s reunion with Katherine Hahn, her co-star from "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days":
    • "To be reunited, like, that was honestly, like, one of the great joys of this experience for me." (14:40)
  • She expresses admiration for fellow cast members, relishing the collaborative process and the sheer talent present:
    • "There were moments that every single person had in this where we got to see them...really show up in the way that makes them who they are. That, like, star quality." (17:14)
• On Daniel Craig's Role in the Ensemble
  • Hudson notes how Daniel Craig approached the film as part of the group, not as a solitary lead:
    • "Very quickly, I think we all learned that Daniel was there to play with us...he wanted very much to be a part of our little crew." (16:46)

4. Choosing and Prioritizing Projects

• What Drives Hudson’s Career Choices Now
  • She emphasizes the importance of meaningful, creative collaboration over chasing roles for their own sake:
    • "After success and failures...the bar now...is just a good storyteller. I just want to work with good filmmakers that inspire me." (18:50)
  • Hudson recognizes the particular difficulty and artistry in crafting and performing in highly entertaining, ensemble-driven movies like "Glass Onion":
    • "I don't think we give enough credit to how hard it is to make a film like Glass Onion or to make these larger kind of entertaining films." (20:58)

5. Business Ventures & Entrepreneurial Mindset

• Running Multiple Companies (Fabletics, In Bloom, Vodka)
  • Hudson shares her motivation for being involved in diverse businesses:
    • "I get so bored...there's no way I could just sit and wait, like, six months to make another movie. Like, I have to be doing something." (26:52)
  • She appreciates the challenge and purpose-driven nature of business, especially in fostering sustainability over relentless scale:
    • "I like purpose-driven business and I love sort of creatively thinking...but the growth model is something I’m constantly thinking about." (31:22)
• Reflections on Growth and Sustainability in Business
  • "At some point you have to stop growing. And what is it...That's where I like to read. That's the stuff I like to do. I like to think outside of the box." (30:09–31:12)

6. Music: Embracing a New Creative Chapter

• Venturing Into Songwriting and Recording
  • Hudson describes overcoming her fear of singing in public, starting with school events and encouraged by prominent musicians, including Linda Perry:
    • "I was so terrified of singing in front of people and I was over it. I don't like being fearful. If someone asked me to sing, I'm just gonna say yes." (33:49)
  • She records an album, co-writing 25 songs in two months, describing the process as liberating and driven by emotion rather than industry expectations:
    • "It's just like, kind of no expectation, just like a love for songwriting. It was all emotion needed to just pour out. It did. It's there. You'll hear it." (35:46)
• On Genre and Style
  • The music doesn’t fit neatly into one category:
    • "I think it could fit anywhere in like, pop singer-songwriter to Americana, to a little country rock...a little classic." (35:58–36:33)
  • Album projected for fall release, with singles possibly earlier.
  • On lessons for her children:
    • "Even for them to see that at this time in my life...I don't care. I'm just going to...put music in the world." (36:59–37:49)

7. Motherhood, Family, and Letting Go

• Navigating the Transition as Her Son Leaves for College
  • Hudson speaks candidly about the emotional impact of her son Ryder leaving home and her desire for his independence:
    • "All you want is your kid to thrive and, like, be happy and feel good in his skin...But, man, when I'm in LA...and I don't hear his voice, it's a big one." (39:07–39:25)
  • She finds camaraderie with friends Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon, who had similar experiences:
    • "Gwyneth and I...our kids were in school together and we both have that moment together...How you doing? Because we experienced it at the same time." (39:38)
  • On her new mantra as an "anxious mom":
    • "Faith not fear. Faith not fear. And that's become my mantra because I am such a high anxiety...floating mother anxiety through life." (41:21)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Evolution:

  • "We should be able to change our minds as things change and evolve and grow, and we should have different perspectives..." (05:10) — Kate Hudson

• On Birdie Jay’s Character:

  • "She chooses to open her mouth when she probably shouldn't say things to be seen." (12:15) — Kate Hudson

• Reunion with Katherine Hahn:

  • "Katherine and I...we just loved each other so much. And to see her career...it was just so nice." (14:40)

• On Comedy Scripts:

  • "But when you get a writer who knows how to write a character that earns the laugh...it's like a dream for anybody who loves to play comedic roles." (10:06–10:45)

• On Being Purpose-Driven in Business:

  • "I wanted to be in fashion. I saw this idea... affordable clothing for women. And I was like, this is awesome. I get to talk about something I'm passionate about. I get to learn about this business..." (27:13)

• On Trying New Things:

  • "I love your philosophy...just go do a thing, try it. If it didn't work, it didn't work. I walk away onto the next thing." (38:00)

• On Parenting and Letting Go:

  • "Faith not fear...that's my new motto." (41:21)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-------------| | Pandemic reflections and personal growth | 03:11–05:41 | | Hudson on ‘Glass Onion’ & Birdie Jay | 07:01–14:07 | | Ensemble cast and dynamics | 14:20–17:14 | | Philosophy on acting and choosing projects | 18:38–21:33 | | Business ventures and philosophy | 26:47–32:11 | | Music and songwriting journey | 33:44–37:49 | | Motherhood, Ryder leaving for college | 38:58–43:35 |

---

Tone & Style

Throughout the episode, the atmosphere is warm, honest, and marked by both humor and candor—mirroring Kate Hudson’s approachable, reflective personality. Geist guides the conversation with curiosity and warmth, encouraging Hudson’s open sharing about her professional creativity and personal evolution.

---

Memorable Takeaways

• Hudson believes deeply in constant evolution, risk-taking, and following what moves her.
• Comedy, for Hudson, is about well-drawn characters, not just punchlines or silly situations.
• She juggles acting, entrepreneurship, and soon, a music career—motivated more by curiosity and fulfillment than by external validation or financial success.
• As a parent, she’s learning to let go, living by ‘faith not fear’ as her children grow up and chart their own paths.
• Hudson’s overall message is about embracing change, growing beyond comfort zones, and finding joy in every new challenge.

---

For listeners:
Whether you’re a fan of Hudson’s films, interested in the evolution of modern Hollywood careers, or just keen for an intimate look into the mindset of a multihyphenate artist and mother, this episode is rich with insight, laughter, and inspiration.

Transcript

[USAA Announcer]

USAA knows dynamic duos can save the day like superheroes and sidekicks or auto and home insurance. With usaa, you can bundle your auto and home and save up to 10%. Tap the banner to learn more and get a'@usaa.com bundle restrictions apply.

[Kate Hudson]

Bowser is back.

[Interviewer]

Everyone calm down. The Super Mario Brothers can take care of the kingdom. Let's go on April 1st.

[Kate Hudson]

Toad Pac

[Super Mario Galaxy Promo Voice]

Galaxy.

[Kate Hudson]

Whoa.

[Super Mario Galaxy Promo Voice]

Is waiting.

[Kate Hudson]

Who is this Yoshi? So some cool dinosaur just shows up and he's now part of the group. Cool.

[Super Mario Galaxy Promo Voice]

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Pretty PG Only theaters here.

[Kate Hudson]

Go first.

[Super Mario Galaxy Promo Voice]

Get tickets now.

[Willie Geist]

Hey guys, Willie Geist here with another episode of the Sunday Sit down podcast. My thanks as always for clicking and listening along. Today, a conversation with one of my very favorite people to talk with. She is Academy Award nominated actress Kate Hudson. Kate is one of the stars of the highly anticipated new movie Glass Onion. It is the follow up to the 2019 hit Knives out, that hilarious, smart, brilliant whodunnit. And this one is just as good with a different cast. It is written and directed by the brilliant Rian Johnson, who comes up with these wild adventures and these twists and these turns and these mysteries and assembles a cast that includes Kate Hudson, Janelle Monae, Edward Norton. Daniel Craig is back for this one. Katherine Hahn, who is Kate's old friend from how to Lose a guy in 10 days, coming up on its 20th anniversary, you'll hear us talk about that incredible cast. Just another really fun watch. And Kate, Kate steals the show. She's so good. And her character is named Birdie J, a former model who now runs an activewear company, which is actually something that Kate Hudson does in real life. So we get into the movie, we get into why she loves Rian Johnson, why she loves Knives out in this movie in particular. But also we talk about her life off camera, which is that she's had this successful activewear company for 10 years called Fabletics. She's got a vodka company. She's got all kinds of things going on. Breaks a little news that she's gonna put out an album next year. She's gonna be singing for us. My gosh. Also, her oldest son, her oldest child, Ryder, went off to college a couple of months ago all the way across the country. So we talk about what that's like to have your kid fly from the nest. So she's just funny, she's smart, she's

[Interviewer]

charming, she's got it all going on.

[Willie Geist]

She is Kate Hudson right now on the Sunday Sit down podcast. Hi Kate.

[Interviewer]

Hi. Great to see you again.

[Kate Hudson]

It's so good to see you.

[Interviewer]

I feel like we've just done a whole interview, but we did.

[Kate Hudson]

By waiting. We did start from the top. I'm just gonna repeat everything we just talked about.

[Interviewer]

The last time I. I saw you was on Zoom in the middle of a pandemic. It's great to see you in the flesh.

[Kate Hudson]

It's nice to do this. Isn't it fun?

[Interviewer]

It is fun.

[Kate Hudson]

I've been having such a good time doing this because it's like, I actually like connecting with people, you know?

[Willie Geist]

Me, too.

[Kate Hudson]

So being in person and going into the movie theaters and doing Q&As and talking about this movie with an audience, it's been really great.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

I don't relate to the people, and to some extent, I guess I do, who are like, I just want to stay in my sweatpants and stay home forever.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, some people are like that, and some people aren't. You know, I'm. I'm. I like being a part of the world. It's definitely more. That being said, I. I'm not, like, as extroverted as I think people think that I am, really. So, yeah, like, I, I, I. I have, like, a. I reach, like, a level of being out and about, and then, you know, the world starts to, like, yeah, crush in on me, and I'm like, get me to my house. I'm actually kind of a homebody, so I like the balance.

[Interviewer]

You were saying last time we talked over Zoom, you were saying, your whole life, you've kind of been a gypsy moving around. So it was weird to be like, here I am again, back in the

[Willie Geist]

house with the kids.

[Kate Hudson]

It was good, though. I think it was good. Other than the fear part and the world turning upside down. There's that part. But the personal kind of introspective time, just look and go. Especially at this time in my life, like, 40s, early 40s, like, what am I doing? You know what I mean? Like, where am I? Where am I at? What do I want to be doing? Like, where is this going? And that time being so insane and, like, the fragility of it made me realize, like, oh, there's a lot that I want to do.

[Interviewer]

It's so interesting to hear you say that, because almost everyone I've interviewed since the pandemic has said some version of that with musicians. They say, yeah, I had to rediscover myself and what it's like to not be on a stage with people clapping for me. Like, who am I?

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

So what did you take out of those couple of years? Do you feel like you're different than you were when it started?

[Kate Hudson]

Definitely, but I feel like I'm always different. You know, it's like there's this thing where some even, like, doing interviews and stuff. I think about things that I've said about who I am or what my life is or where I'm at 20 years ago, I probably would say something completely different today. And I feel that that's what we should do. What's wrong with politics? Right? It's like, we should be able to change our minds as things change and evolve and grow, and we should have different perspectives on things. Right.

[Interviewer]

Then you're a flip flopper in politics.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, that's.

[Willie Geist]

Some would call that evolution, but.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, Right, Exactly. No, so. Yeah. So I feel like. But for Covid, for me, it was more about the creative. Like, what it. Creatively, what. What. You know, it took me back to when I started making movies, when I. When I first was on a stage, when I first started to sing and write music. It was like, that's my. That's my happy. That's my happy place. Like those. That's where I feel fulfilled the most. And so coming out of COVID for me, it was about how I was like, what are the best ways to nurture those parts of me, you know? And so. Yeah, and so. And then doing Knives out was sort of like going. And then doing Glass Onion and working with someone like Rian Johnson, who I have so much admiration for, and then having the experience with all of those actors and the joy we had working together. And it was hard, fun, great work. Being back doing comedy, which is where I love to be. I love that. I love being in comedic space, you know, but having great comedic writing, it was like, oh, yeah, you know, this is where I'm happiest.

[Interviewer]

The movie is so good. I got a chance to see it yesterday, and I just can't say enough good things about it, except I can't say everything I want to say about

[Willie Geist]

it because we want people to go watch it.

[Kate Hudson]

I know that's our way out. Like, when the cast and we're doing press and we're really tired, we're like, I don't know. I just can't talk about it.

[Interviewer]

But the world that is created, maybe we can talk about that. The universe that Rian Johnson created is. That's Glass Onion, right?

[Kate Hudson]

Well, he really reinvigorated the genre. I mean, it's a genre. I was never, like, it Wasn't something I ran a lot of. The cast was like, big murder mystery genre. I just remember Murder, She Wrote because that was always on in my house when I was younger, in the 80s, you know, such a huge show. And I love any great movie. You know, I think I'm more of a movie fan than a genre fan, but really thinking about what Ryan did, I remember seeing the first Knives out and it was like, so delightful. And that is the right word to use for his. The tone of these murder mysteries. It's like it was funny and biting and intriguing and mysterious and all the things you want. But at the center of it is this great story with great rich characters. And as someone who loves to make movies and reads a lot of scripts, like, it's so hard to do that. It's so hard to actually craft a script like that. I mean, it takes. It's. I mean, almost impossible. You try to read them and there's always holes. There's always things that you come to the table and you're like, I don't quite understand this, or this character feels flat, or, you know, I read Glass Onion and I was like, woo. Rian Johnson is something else. I mean, he really is just a phenomenal writer. And then to be able to execute something like that, the enormity of the production, the fact that you've got all of these kind of heavyweight actors coming into one, literally one room for months, you have to be able to run such a tight ship and know and be so clear about what you want and have the kind of personality Ryan does to let us all play in his sandbox, you know, so it was like that, you know, I mean, your question was more about the genre.

[Interviewer]

No, no, this is way more interesting than my question. Yeah, thank you for making it more interesting.

[Kate Hudson]

I just keep on, you gotta stop me from talking.

[Interviewer]

I will not. Absolutely will not. So obviously you're a fan of the first movie. I think most of us were. So when the phone rings or the email comes in that says, hey, Kate, they're interested in you for the next one, your reaction, oh, I hope I got this part.

[Kate Hudson]

I mean, I hope it's me. You know, if there's. Usually there's the short list, you know, of, like, people write for parts, you hear about it. I was on that short list. He wanted to meet with me and I was like, absolutely. And we met twice. I think we talked once. And then we. Then we met in a room together because it was Covid. So we had to like, test, you know, it Was like a whole thing. And I remember reading it for the first time, Birdie Jay. And I was like, oh, man, come on, put me in, coach. Like, this is right up my alley. And again, going back to his writing, I read so much comedy, and, like, it's always somehow comedy. They read a lot like sketches. You know, they're like situational comedy. Like, the device is funny, the situation is funny. But when you get a writer who knows how to write a character that earns the laugh. It's like a dream for, I think, anybody who loves to play comedic roles. And so I just kind of chanted a little bit, prayed to God, and went in and tried to charm the pants off of Ryan. And it worked.

[Interviewer]

Clearly, it worked. Clearly it worked.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. And Grease. I mean, come on. The whole thing.

[Interviewer]

He. I told you I interviewed Ryan about an hour ago. Yeah, I saw it with Edward Norton. And he paid you a big compliment, where afterward he said, when you talk to Kate, she is one of the best comedic actresses I've ever seen. And so he was excited that you said yes. As excited as you were that he asked you. There's something very familiar about Birdie J. She's not a person, but she's sort of a archetype of a kind of person.

[Kate Hudson]

She's a thing.

[Interviewer]

She's a thing. Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

She's sort of a. Yeah, she's definitely. I mean, she chooses to show up in a room to be seen. She chooses to open her mouth when she probably shouldn't say things to be seen.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

She calls herself a truth teller, but I think it's more like. I think she's. Honestly, what I played with with her, where it comes across as kind of like, you know, what I played with was, for Birdie was that I just don't. I'm not so sure that she's as intelligent as she thinks she is, you know, that kind of. She actually thinks she's gonna be making waves in a positive way, and it just always backfires on her because she has such a desperate need to be validated and loved and seen and everything. That's so much fun to play with her, you know, and. Yeah, completely tone deaf. I mean, she's. And then underneath it, what's so great, too, is. Cause it's a whodunit. We all have to, you know, really look at what our motives are. And so everybody has a motive. And that gives every single character in this a dark layer, which is. For Birdie was able to kind of balance the highs and the lows, you

[Interviewer]

know, the examples of her tone deafness are so beyond. And we won't give them away here, but, oh, my God. Just one after another.

[Kate Hudson]

Honestly, it was terrifying. Like, when I read it, I was like, oh, my God. Even some of the things coming out of my mouth, I was like, if it wasn't Rian Johnson, I'd be scared, you know, to actually even.

[Interviewer]

Just even throw character. Oh, yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

I mean, say any of those things. But, yeah, she definitely. She definitely is loose lips and uncensored,

[Interviewer]

to say the least.

[Kate Hudson]

And maybe there were some things cut too, that were crazy. So, you know, which I think made the other stuff, like, the subtext of it, the fact that we shot all this other stuff good.

[Interviewer]

We'll see that in the director's cut, probably when it comes out. The cast just. Oh, my gosh, you go around that dining room table and you're just so excited that each of you is at the table. From Leslie Odom to your old friend Katherine Hahn, Daniel Craig.

[Kate Hudson]

Janelle.

[Willie Geist]

Janelle Monet is amazing.

[Kate Hudson]

But Jess Hennig, I mean, honestly, the younger. The girls are so amazing. And Katherine and I, to be reunited, like, that was honestly, like, one of the great joys of this experience for me, because she and I, on How to Lose a guy in 10 days, just fell in love with each. I mean, we just loved each other so much. And to see her career and how far she's come and how much, like, wisdom she now brings to her work, you know, from where we both started when we were, like, in our 20 early. I was. I was in my. I was 21, 22. Oh, my God.

[Willie Geist]

They came out February of 03.

[Interviewer]

So it'll be 20 years, and that's. Right very soon. Like a month.

[Willie Geist]

Does that feel like.

[Kate Hudson]

I would say that goes fast, but it feels like five lifetimes ago. Everyone's like, God, how time goes. I'm like, well, I don't know.

[Interviewer]

Been through a few things since then.

[Kate Hudson]

Chapters of my life. Yeah. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

But you were saying that how she. You know, you met on that set and you guys really connected and then you go about your lives for a while.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

So to come back here, did you have the same old relationship and the jokes and it was all still there.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. Which is the best feeling, because you don't want people to change. You want them to grow, but not, like, change the essence of who they are. And I think we're both like that. Like, we haven't really changed much. We've just grown. We've just experienced things, life experiences. And it was Just so nice. And then also Leslie Odom, who I'd worked with on music. We had such a great experience making that movie, and it was a very intimate experience. And now we got to come back, and this felt a little more like fun for us because it wasn't as, like, heavy. That heavy intimacy. So we got to, like, goof around a little bit more. So it was great. And then Daniel, I mean, geez.

[Interviewer]

Wow.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. He's amazing.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

And very quickly, I think we all learned that Daniel was there to play with us. Like, there was no. There was no us in him. You know, he wanted very much to be a part of our little crew.

[Interviewer]

I can imagine. When you get the cast list on a good movie, you're lucky if you get. You get Katherine and McConaughey, and you're happy. That's good. But here, you're just like, whoa, whoa, whoa. It must just be thrilling to walk into that room.

[Kate Hudson]

It's so rare. You know, it's also, like, we really all love what we do. I think there's this outside perspective, like, that. It's just like, everything's easy, and it's like, you know. But when you get a bunch of actors who work really hard at the craft and love it, and then you get to, like, we're such dorks. Like, we get to see each other do what we love and what we love seeing each other do. Right. Like, when I see. And I watch Edward in some of the performances he's made, I admire his work so much. And then same with Leslie. Same. I remember watching Leslie in Hamilton going, like, this guy. He blew my mind. And he continues to. His work continues. Janelle. Same thing, I mean, just goes on and on, and so. And Daniel, obviously. But then when you're watching it in person, when you're actually interacting with it, there were moments that every single person had in this where we got to see them, like, really show up in the way that makes them who they are. You know, that, like, star quality. And seeing that happen, I mean, the dork in me, the movie geek, is just like, oh, like, we're so lucky. You know, we have the best job on the planet. And this movie, like, highlighted that. I don't think I'll ever have another experience like that. I hope I do.

[Interviewer]

Is that the bar for you, Kate? Because you've got so much else going on in your life, professionally, home, all of it. Is this project going to be fun? Is it worth me going and spending all this time and effort to do it?

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, I think I started to. I mean, it's a hard industry. Like, it's a pretty brutal industry. And I always say, like, you know, if you really want to be a part of it, like, you got to be a little crazy to want to become an actor for hire. And you realize kind of early on that you really kind of. You can't really wait for things to happen to you once you reach a certain kind of success. Like, you have to kind of start making things happen for yourself, because the industry's always looking for something new and always looking for something else. And, you know, for me, the bar now after, like, success and failures and everything, is just a good storyteller. I mean, I just want to work with good filmmaker. I want to work with filmmakers that inspire me, that know how to tell a great story, that hopefully I can bring something to life for them. But what I don't want to do anymore is those moments where you look at something. I mean, I say this. I mean, I'm not going to. You know, I may. You never know. You might. You may. You always may think something's going to be better than it might end up being. Right. You're like. And, you know, I'll eat my words, but. But I really want to, like, if it moves me, that's just what I want to be doing. I mean, that's. At this point in my career and in my life, I just want to do interesting art. And art is not always, like, wacky and weird and dark and complicated. Like, the great artists to me are ones who know how to, like, move an audience, to, like, propel an audience into, you know, boisterous laughter or captivate in something that feels bigger than life. Like, I think we don't give enough credit to how hard it is to make a film like Glass Onion or to make these larger kind of entertaining films, you know, people. To get people to want to like and, like, get it, get, get so immersed in that is the hardest. Is one of the hardest things to do.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, I think that's right. Is that we associate, you know, great movies with being small and dark and all that.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

And there's a play. I mean, those are. Obviously, they move you and they're amazing,

[Interviewer]

but you watch this movie unfold and you go, my gosh, this is difficult to conceive of, to write and to pull off for you guys without the characters being cartoon versions of people. There's a subtlety, subtlety to it.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

Hey, guys, thanks for listening to the Sunday Sit down podcast. Stick around to hear more From Kate Hudson right after the break.

[USAA Military Insurance Ad Voice]

If you, your parent or spouse served in the military, you could join our family. Our members saved an average of $70 a month on auto insurance when they switched. Tap the banner or visit usaa.com join today to check your eligibility restrictions apply.

[Kate Hudson]

Bowser is back.

[Interviewer]

Bowser.

[Kate Hudson]

Bowser.

[Interviewer]

Everyone calm down. The Super Mario Brothers can take care of the kingdom. Let's go on April 1st.

[Kate Hudson]

Toad pack our things.

[Super Mario Galaxy Promo Voice]

The Galaxy.

[Kate Hudson]

Whoa.

[Super Mario Galaxy Promo Voice]

Is waiting.

[Kate Hudson]

Who is this? Yoshi. So some cool dinosaur just shows up and he's now part of the group.

[Interviewer]

Cool.

[Super Mario Galaxy Promo Voice]

The Super Mario Galaxy movie. Pretty pg. Only Peter's hero first get tickets.

[Renewal by Andersen Announcer]

Now your home holds the story of your life. Renewal by Andersen. Windows are built to weather every season with you. They frame the little moments and the big ones. From first steps to graduation to new beginnings. While life keeps moving, Our windows stand strong through every chapter. Let Renewal by Andersen be part of your story. Windows built to last. Visit renewalbyandersonhome.com to learn more.

[Willie Geist]

Welcome back. Now more of my conversation with Kate Hudson.

[Interviewer]

So this to me is the kind of movie I want to see. And I think a lot of people feel that way, which is like, it's fun, it's smart, it's a mystery. Hopefully it's not an easy thing to make, but hopefully it opens the door to show people, like, hey, more of this.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, I hope so. We need it. You know, I think the industry needs it. I think that I'm. My hope is that it inspires the people that are giving us the money to make them to want to invest more in movies like this, you know, because people want to see a good movie. I say good movie. I mean like an entertaining movie. The thing about this whodunit and the whodunit genre, it's also like a stage for like movie star quality characters. The tone that Ryan sets, like everyone has an entrance and everyone has a moment and it's, it's, it can be broad at times and, you know, it pushes it. And I, I think people, we love that shit. Like, you know, we gotta have some of that. And it's like people are so enamored with Hollywood and Ryan brings that to it. You know, I think we can handle more of that. I think we could handle and need more of that in our industry.

[Interviewer]

Amen to that.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

I thought I had some inside information on you, but it turns out it's been made public. This came from Edward and Ryan.

[Kate Hudson]

Okay.

[Interviewer]

Said ask her what Kurt called her

[Kate Hudson]

growing up, which is Birdie, my nickname. Is Birdie Bird. That's my brother, too. I mean, Kurt and Boston call me Birdie the most, but that's my nickname since I was like, four. Three and a half, four.

[Interviewer]

So when you get this character on the page, you say, of course it's me.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. I was like, come on. I mean, you know, look, we don't want to. I like to say Kurt was there first. Right. But Birdie, it was like, I loved it. And then when I was on set and people would call me by my character name, it was the only time in my life that it never felt like I had to get used to it. I just felt like everybody was calling me Birdie. My what my dad calls me, you know? But, yeah, he calls me Bird.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Kate Hudson]

And Birdie is like, when. You know, Birdie's like the soft moment. It's like when my mom calls me Katie. Like, Kurt, when he yells out to me, it's like, bird. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

And that's based on. What is that?

[Kate Hudson]

He just called me Birdie. Just Bird. Just when I was a little girl, he just called me little Birdie.

[Interviewer]

I feel like Ryan is so smart that he might have researched that, named the character Birdie and then sent you the script.

[Kate Hudson]

You know, I like to think about that. That would be a nice thought. He actually had me completely in mind when he wrote Britney, but he doesn't write like that. I learned a lot from Ryan. I learned a lot from Ryan. I think that it all begins and ends with a screenplay. I mean, that, you know, at the end of the day, when you have such a thorough writer and, you know, it allows so much room for us to feel confident in the character because it was so. It's so well written. It's like, you know, I learned a lot from him. He's a. He's a serious.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, like, he's different.

[Kate Hudson]

Anyone should work with him, you know?

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

Anyone who says no, it's like, bad move. Just. It's a bad move.

[Interviewer]

I don't think anyone's saying no to him anymore.

[Kate Hudson]

No, you never know.

[Interviewer]

I mentioned all the other things you have going on, which is awesome that you keep this part of your life, the acting. But you're running Fabletics. You've got vodka. Vodka, You've got in bloom.

[Kate Hudson]

I've got three. I've got three companies. I do a lot.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

You know, I was talking to someone else who's like a. He's an investor, and he's like, got all these different companies and hotels and fashion, and for some reason, if you're a money guy. You can be in all the different businesses, but if you're like, a face, it's sort of like, how can someone do a bunch of different things? It's like, I think a lot of people do a lot of different things, right? I am so. I get so bored. Like, there's no way I could just sit and wait, like, six months to make another movie. Like, I have to be doing something right. And I'm also quite linear. Like, I. I go back and forth. Like, I have my weird, creative, artistic times where I, like, have to, like, throw everybody out, and I got to get weird. And, you know, and then I have moments where I'm like, I just want to, like, be administrative and, like, organize files. I want to, like, get my linear brain going. And. And that, I think, is where the business side came in. Like, I started with just wanting to be. Wanting to. Before, it was like, everyone was, like, growing some kind of company. I wanted to be in fashion. I saw this idea. Everyone was like, it's a little risky. It's not like a normal endorsement. It's not like doing something for Gucci or, you know, it was like investing in a company for leggings that's, you know, affordable clothing for women. And I was like, this is awesome. I get to talk about something I'm passionate about. I get to learn about this business. I had no idea that the success of the company would be what it was. And then the learning curve came, and then I got really. I like the business aspect of it. It's not easy. It's hard, and it's a grind, but there's something about it. I like the nature of the. I like the grind. Like, I like the winning part of growing a company that means something to you that has, like, purpose. I enjoy that.

[Interviewer]

It sounds like the answer to this question is no, but is there any world where you just run your businesses and you say no? The acting part of my life is over.

[Kate Hudson]

Never. Never. It'll be the opposite for me. For me, it'll be like. I think that part. I think it's. I think that as I get older, I want to just read more. I want to write more. I want to sing. I want to get more. I think that, for me, I'm going a little bit more. I think the growth model for me is. Sometimes I get a little put off by it. The grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow. I think it's. I think we need to figure that out. I think the business world needs to figure that out. That's a whole other no, but it's super interesting conversation.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

I think it's running its course. I think it's more about purpose and sustainability and that I find interesting, you know.

[Interviewer]

And you think there's a lot more of that now even than when you started 10 years ago where you can't just be a company.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Consumer expects more out of you.

[Kate Hudson]

That's right. You can't. You. And, and that's right. And, and I. That's the kind of stuff that's right. That's where I like to read. That's the stuff I like to do. I like to think outside of the box. And when I see. And I think that's something I've actually, I might be good at. Maybe good at. Like wait, I have an idea. But I, you know, I, for me in business, like that's the thing that I find it's like unsustainable. At some point you have to stop growing. And what is it? What is it? You know, as I love what Patagonia has done and you know, he's the CEO of Patagonia, I think a remarkable man. And so there's different ways to look at business model and growth. But like the startup for me is, has. I've done, I've done it, I like it, I'm in it. The grind is fun and some days I just want to read more.

[Interviewer]

You know, I'm laughing because my wife has a startup and it's that say it's like seven years in. It's like they're doing great but like everybody wants to pull more out of it.

[Kate Hudson]

Move and go, go, go. And I think sometimes you know, like, you know, and you, there are some people that you meet that are so great because they love that hustle. It's like in them, you know, but I'm more of like a purpose driven person. Like I wanted, you know, I don't, I would never have wanted to be a CEO and I never will want to be a CEO. You know what I like? I like purpose driven business and I love sort of like creatively thinking about how to, you know, build whatever to build what that is. But the growth model is something I'm constantly thinking about because it's just, I mean for everybody in business, I think it's just a constant. What's next?

[Interviewer]

Yeah, you're the conscience of the company.

[Kate Hudson]

I hope so. Yeah, I hope so.

[Willie Geist]

Stick around for more of my conversation with Kate Hudson right after a quick break.

[USAA Announcer]

USAA knows dynamic duos can save the day. Like superheroes and sidekicks or auto and home insurance. With usaa, you can bundle your auto and home and save up to 10%. Tap the banner to learn more and get a'[e-mail] bundle restrictions apply.

[Super Mario Galaxy Promo Voice]

Amazon presents Jamal vs the Shih Tzu Descending from the gray wolf. Shih Tzus live by their own untamed primal code of not giving a single Shih Tzu. But Jamal shopped on Amazon and bought dog treats, chew toys, and 32 ounces of carpet cleaner. Hey, Jamal, you've been promoted to pack leader. Save the everyday with Amazon. An all new season of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney.

[Kate Hudson]

Mom talk has just been blowing up.

[Renewal by Andersen Announcer]

Whitney and Jen are on dance meetings.

[Kate Hudson]

The stars. Taylor is a bachelorette. Saying that out loud is crazy. Like that is huge. But all the cool opportunities could pull us apart. It's causing issues in everyone's marriage.

[Renewal by Andersen Announcer]

My whole world is falling apart right now.

[Kate Hudson]

It's chaos.

[Super Mario Galaxy Promo Voice]

Watch the Hulu original series, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundle subscribers terms apply.

[Willie Geist]

Welcome back now to the rest of my conversation with Kate Hudson.

[Interviewer]

You mentioned singing and you mentioned that a few times in public. This is happening. Here we go.

[Kate Hudson]

It's just happening now.

[Willie Geist]

So what, do we've got an album

[Interviewer]

coming or what's we do?

[Kate Hudson]

I have an album. I've been making an album. That's what came for Covid. For me, that sort of out of that was like, okay, I'm making a record. And actually the way it happened was I was. It started with me just saying, you know what, I need to sing more. I was so terrified of singing in front of people and I was over it. I don't like being fearful. And I. And so I was like, okay, if someone asked me to sing, I'm just gonna say yes. I'm just gonna say so. I got into the parent band at my school, but the parent band, they asked me, they're like, will you come sing a song with the parent band? I was like, oh. I said I'd say yes. So yeah, but the parent band is like all Grammy award winning, like musicians and producers and but they really like, they were like, kate, you need to make a record. Like you then Linda Perry, she's a songwriter and she was like, you know, she did what's going on? Four non blondes. But she's very, very, very prolific. Like kind of a hit maker, like, writes the most amazing songs and she Cold called me and was like, what the. Like, why aren't you making a record? And I said, because. I don't know. I don't have the structure. I don't have the time. I don't have the. And she goes, no. And she said, come into my studio. And I sat in her studio. She made me sing a song that she had written, and then she sat me down. She's like, we're making a record. You gotta do it. Put your fall aside. We're gonna write. She goes, you write music? I go, yeah. She's like, all right, we're gonna write together. So we wrote. And me, Danny and Linda sat for two months and wrote 25 songs. And. And then. So it's been just from then. It's just like, kind of no expectation, just like a love for songwriting. It was all emotion needed to just pour out. It did. It's there. You'll hear it.

[Interviewer]

That's amazing.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah, we'll see.

[Interviewer]

So what genre are we talking about?

[Kate Hudson]

This is the question. This is the answer.

[Interviewer]

I don't want to put you in a box.

[Kate Hudson]

There's no. We don't know what it is.

[Interviewer]

We don't know what it is. Right.

[Kate Hudson]

And I was talking with my manager, my music manager, and we were. We were both like, what is it? And that's exciting because I think that it has something that feels its own and it will find its pocket. But I think it could fit anywhere in, like, pop singer, songwriter to Americana to a little country rock. Oh, it's just got a little classic. Yeah, that might be in that space.

[Interviewer]

That's a good space.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. With a little more maybe pop. I don't know. We'll see. We'll see.

[Interviewer]

It'll.

[Kate Hudson]

It'll. It'll. It'll find its space.

[Interviewer]

So what is this going to be? Summer? What we going to like the song of the summer? It's going to be.

[Kate Hudson]

I think it'll most likely be a fall album, but, yeah, I think you'll hear music earlier.

[Interviewer]

Amazing.

[Kate Hudson]

I know.

[Interviewer]

I'm excited that gets to your earlier point. Keep growing. Keep growing.

[Kate Hudson]

I would terrify yourself. Like, I also think, like, for my kids, you know what I mean? Like, they know I sing every day. I literally have a setup. I write music. Even for them to see that at this time in my life, I don't give. I don't care. I'm just going to. I just have to do it. I don't know. I think, you know, I don't. I hope that that's. I hope and I hope it's as warmly received as I have cared for it, you know, because it's just a labor of love. I mean, that's all it is. And if it means that, then I have this pivot and I'm playing shows and I'm doing things like that. I would love it, but I have no expectation for, like, there's no calculated move. I just want to put music in the world.

[Interviewer]

People love you. You have goodwill. They're gonna root for you.

[Willie Geist]

I'm gonna root for you.

[Kate Hudson]

This is good.

[Interviewer]

Okay, we'll start there.

[Kate Hudson]

You'll like one song, at least. You know, you'll find one.

[Interviewer]

I love your philosophy, too, where you're like, I just go do a thing, try it. If it didn't work, it didn't work. I walk away onto the next thing.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

[Kate Hudson]

I mean, it's like my mom, when I was little, was like, oh, you know, jump right into the deep end. And that's just what I just. I've always lived like that. And then, like, you know, I've had to, like, you know, what is it? The Leonardo DiCaprio in Woof of Wall street when he's, like, trying to get to the car. Like, I've had to do that a couple times. Okay. Out of the deep end, just trying to get myself out of it. But, like, I don't know. That's just my nature. I just. And then.

[Interviewer]

And a great example. Sometimes it doesn't work, and then you crawl out to the next thing.

[Kate Hudson]

Yeah. I mean, I hope my kids don't have as many mothers as I have dads. You know, I'd like them to keep it to two. That would be nice. But I got really lucky with my dad.

[Interviewer]

Yes, you did. Yes, you did. Before I let you go. Speaking of the kids, we got one guy out of the house. How are we holding up?

[Kate Hudson]

Oh, it's so hard. I mean, he's in the city, so it's great because when I'm here, I get to see him, and we hang out, and he's loving the city. I mean. And the first two weeks of school, he wrote me. He's like, mom, you lost me for four years. Like, I'm here.

[Interviewer]

Good.

[Kate Hudson]

I'm in it. I love it here. And I was like, oh, all you want is your kid to thrive and, like, be happy and feel good in his skin. And he's such a great person. I'm so. And he's always. Ryder's always been that way. Ryder's the best. He's good human he's super talented. He's really smart. He's very, like, perfectly self deprecating. He's got that great sense of humor that will get him through life. Like his, like his uncle, he's. He's the most similar to Uncle Ollie, which is a little concerning. You're like, you know, I'm working on a couple things there, but like, I couldn't be happier that he has that Hudson kind of humor. But, man, when I'm in LA and I go to the coffee machine in the morning and I don't hear his voice, it's a big one. I know Gwyneth and I, My girlfriend Gwyneth, that we, our kids were in school together and we both have that moment together when we like look at each other. We're like, how you doing? Because we experienced it at the same time. And Ann Reese, all three of us ladies, all of our, all of our kids went to college at the same time.

[Interviewer]

I told you, I interviewed Gwyneth this summer, like a month before in the very mention her daughter's name.

[Kate Hudson]

She was like, oh, yeah, no, it's

[Interviewer]

tough, but stop down.

[Kate Hudson]

Cause they don't want to see us like that either. You know, it's like, you want your kids to like, you know, it's like not working. I'm good. I'm good. And inside you're just like, ugh. It's. I mean, I didn't think it would hit me so hard, you know, and yeah, so I.

[Interviewer]

But it's also validation. You raised a great kid who can go all the way across the country and thrive on his own.

[Kate Hudson]

That's right.

[Willie Geist]

You did it.

[Kate Hudson]

That's. I hope. Yeah. I feel that in him. And I, I think the other thing too is like, someone said to me, because I was having a moment, he was talking about, I don't know, you know, the second he was 18, he like, got a tattoo and then he was talking about motorcycles and I was like, oh, my God. And this woman said, faith not fear. Faith not fear. And that's become my mantra because I am such a high anxiety. I was like floating mother anxiety through life. Like, where's. Where's Bing? Where's Ronnie? What's going. You know, like, I. I'm like, you know, want all my baby cubs. Like, faith not fear. That's my new motto.

[Interviewer]

I love that. I'm glad he's doing so well.

[Kate Hudson]

He's doing great.

[Interviewer]

Good.

[Kate Hudson]

He's gonna, he. He's gonna be a part of this weird world that I'm in for sure. He's in the performing arts. He's got the bug. He'll figure it out. I hope he falls on his butt a bunch. But I think he's. I've seen his work, and I'm excited for him. I told him, too. I'm like, you don't know how lucky you are, man. Like, don't you? You better honor your gift. This is a gift. Like, you better honor it. I'll come for you. You know, like, this is. It's a real thing. It's not just something that you blink your eyes and it's like working with all these great actors on Glass Onion. We all love the craft. Like, it is a craft. You have to really immerse yourself in it. As silly as it might seem on the outside. Like, we thrive on it. So when I see someone like Ryder's got that, like, natural thing, I'm like, you better work hard.

[Interviewer]

It's like, all right, mom, I got it.

[Kate Hudson]

I got it. He did call me at one point and said, mom, I just want you to know I've got one class today on, you know, Wednesdays or whatever day it was, and we rolled around on the floor, and that's what I'm doing at college. I just want you to know that I was an animal on the floor for two hours, and I was like, you know what? I'm like, that's actually really good for you.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, it's part of the journey.

[Kate Hudson]

It's good for you. Get audio. Pretend you're an animal for a couple hours. All right.

[Willie Geist]

It's a stop along.

[Kate Hudson]

I'll go back to work and you roll on the floor.

[Interviewer]

Kate, thank you so much. Congratulations on Glass Onion.

[Willie Geist]

It is awesome.

[Interviewer]

I wish I could tell all of your amazing jokes.

[Kate Hudson]

I know.

[Interviewer]

We just have to go watch on Netflix. Good to see you.

[Kate Hudson]

Thank you. Good to see you.

[Willie Geist]

My big thanks again to Kate for a great conversation. Always love sitting down with her. You can check out Glass Onion, a Knives Out Mystery streaming on Netflix. My thanks to all of you for listening again this week. If you want to of these conversations with my guests every week, be sure to click follow so you never miss an episode. And don't forget to tune in to Sunday today every weekend on NBC. I'm Willie Geist.

[Interviewer]

We'll see you right back here next

[Willie Geist]

week on the Sunday sit down podcast.

[USAA Military Insurance Ad Voice]

If you your parent or spouse served in the military, you could join our family. Our members saved an average of $70 a month on auto insurance when they switched tap the banner or visit usaa.com join today to check your eligibility restrictions apply.