The Oprah Podcast — December 16, 2025

Episode: Oprah with Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson & Their Movie You Have to See this Christmas

Episode Overview

Oprah Winfrey welcomes Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, stars of the new movie Song Song Blue, to discuss their deeply moving, feel-good film based on the real-life story of a Neil Diamond tribute duo in the Midwest. The conversation covers the film's themes of second chances, dreams, resilience, and love, the process of making the movie, working with director Craig Brewer, and tributes to Neil Diamond. The episode is filled with laughter, emotion, and candid reflections, highlighted by memorable anecdotes, heartfelt reviews, and even a surprise for real-life fans of “Lightning and Thunder.”

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Origins of Song Song Blue

• True Story Roots ([03:37], Hugh)
  • The film is based on the documentary Song Sung Blue, chronicling the lives of Mike and Claire, aka “Lightning and Thunder,” Midwest tribute performers known for their passionate Neil Diamond covers.
  • Hugh Jackman: “They were two performers…they came together and rescued each other, not just musically, but in life. And it’s just a beautiful love story about the power of music, the power of dreams.” ([04:04])
  • Both actors were drawn to the powerful family and underdog narrative, underscoring that “nobody is ordinary.”
• Discovery and Casting ([06:28], Oprah/Hugh/Kate)
  • Kate Hudson read the script before knowing it was based on a documentary and was immediately moved.
  • Hugh campaigned for Kate to play Claire after seeing her on TV: “Kate Hudson should be Claire…Please send her the script and tell her she has to do it.” ([06:43])
  • Kate shares it was a dream role: “When you read something like that...you just hope it becomes a real opportunity.” ([06:18])

2. Themes of Family, Dreams, and Resilience

• The movie celebrates people lifting each other up, even when they can’t believe in themselves ([07:55], Kate):
  • “They believed in each other so much that when they didn’t believe in themselves, they could because they had someone else who believed in them.”
• Oprah highlights rave reviews, notably one calling Kate's performance the finest of her career, noted for authenticity and emotional depth ([08:22], Oprah/Variety review).
• Kate reflects on missing heartfelt, inspiring movies like this: “Nobody’s making movies like this. I miss this…something that just completely moves you and inspires you...” ([09:53])

3. Personal Connections and Representation

• Conversation touches on nostalgia, growing up loving Neil Diamond, and personal relevance ([10:15])
  • Oprah shares: “I was the only black kid in my neighborhood who actually knew who Neil Diamond was...I like the Temptations and Neil Diamond.” ([10:15])
• Both stars relate their own journeys to the story:
  • Hugh: “My life has taken so many turns I didn’t expect…but I sort of related a little bit to Mike. This idea of just having this dream and just wanting to entertain.” ([10:36])
• Studios repeatedly turned down the film, but Hugh believes it’s the story people need now: “1313 nos. They were like, oh no. The story goes places people don’t want to see...now everyone goes, oh, this is the movie.” ([10:52])

4. Crafting the Performances

• Layered roles—playing people who play other people ([15:04])
  • Hugh Jackman: “I gotta strip all that away. I gotta become Mike and then Mike becoming Neil… it was a challenge.”
  • Both actors praise the research process and help from the real people involved.
• Heartfelt endorsement from Neil Diamond himself:
  • “I got a phone call from Neil and Katie… Neil was crying…he looked at me and put his hand on my shoulder. He goes, ‘You did good, kid.’” ([16:05])
  • Kate: The movie gave new life to Neil Diamond’s music and received his blessing as “a good note to go out on.” ([17:26])
• Both actors found deep personal resonance with their roles; for Kate, it was a return to the love of singing: “I’d be happy sitting in a little bar with, like, three people watching and singing, or no one watching, and I’d sing all night long.” ([18:27])
• Musical influences and supportive mentors, like Quincy Jones, played pivotal roles in their creative journeys ([19:01])

5. Transformation: Accents, Looks & Chemistry

• Both actors discuss creating authentic Midwest personas through accents, wigs, and mannerisms ([20:24]–[21:44])
  • Kate drew on her longtime Wisconsin-born nanny, Kathy Heller, for her character’s accent.
  • Live audience (including Midwesterners and Kathy herself) affirm Kate “nailed it” ([23:14]–[24:44])
• Chemistry and emotional synergy between Hugh and Kate was essential: “This movie only works if we work. Somehow from day one, I knew we could trust each other.” ([39:10], Hugh)
• Kate: “Within hours, we knew each other’s entire life story. The most intimate parts…” ([39:57])

6. Emotional & Uplifting Qualities of the Movie

• Movie’s depth: explores addiction, depression, codependency, and the strength found in connection ([33:11]–[36:19])
  • Kate: “There is this sense of the beautiful side of codependency. These are two people who really struggled—one with alcoholism and one with depression.” ([36:23])
• Hugh’s intensive research: “Mike was a Vietnam vet, and in Vietnam, he was a tunnel rat…” ([34:47])
  • Mike’s urgency, dreams, and resilience are central.
• The film is rooted in optimism: “Don’t stop dreaming…It's so uplifting, everybody needs a little upliftment right now, it leaves you feeling open.” ([32:44]–[32:46], Oprah)

7. Surprises, Audience Connection, and Live Moments

• Touching surprise: Oprah introduces longtime fans of the real Lightning and Thunder on Zoom and announces Hugh and Kate have arranged a private theater screening for them in Wisconsin ([48:02]–[52:34])
• Real audience testimonies highlight the authenticity and relatability of the story and performances.

8. Reflections and Takeaways

• What Hugh and Kate hope audiences take from the film:
  • Hugh: “The story...could be anyone...everyday people, but their lives are extraordinary...it will really restore any faith you have in having dreams...don’t say no. If anyone tells you, you can’t have that dream, that’s too big for you, say no, I’m actually gonna dream even huger.” ([53:17]–[53:59])
  • Kate: The film honors “the tip jar musician...for every superstar, there’s a thousand people who are just as talented and don’t get the same opportunities and are still out there because they love it.” ([54:08]–[54:30])
  • Oprah: The film leaves “a tear in your eye...and a song in your heart. Whether you know Neil Diamond, love Neil Diamond, or not.” ([55:17])

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the heart of the story:

  • “No one is ordinary or everyday. But their dreams were massive and naïve and huge.” — Hugh Jackman [05:04]

• On belief in each other:

  • “These people believed in each other so much that when they didn’t believe in themselves, they could because they had someone else who believed in them.” — Kate Hudson [07:55]

• On the chemistry between leads:

  • “This movie only works if we work…from day one I knew we could trust each other.” — Hugh Jackman [39:10, 39:57]

• On the beauty of the film:

  • “It feels like a letting go. It feels like a relaxing. It feels like a trusting…Somehow this feels like there’s layers that have just gone down.” — Hugh Jackman [44:42]

• On the joy of performance:

  • “I’d be happy sitting in a little bar with, like, three people watching and singing, or no one watching, and I’d sing all night long.” — Kate Hudson [18:27]

• On dreams:

  • “Don’t say no. If anyone tells you, you can’t have that dream, that’s too big for you, say no, I’m actually gonna dream even huger.” — Hugh Jackman [53:53]

• On music and connection:

  • “Isn’t music the best language?” — Kate Hudson [46:42]

Important Timestamps

• [03:37–05:34]: Hugh describes discovering the story and why he and Kate were drawn to it
• [06:28–07:34]: Casting story for Kate Hudson, serendipity, and manifesting the role
• [08:22–10:07]: Oprah and critics praise Kate’s performance; conversation about missing heartfelt movies
• [15:04–16:39]: Hugh discusses the challenge of playing someone who is impersonating a star; Neil Diamond’s touching response
• [18:27–19:24]: Kate reveals her life-long love of singing, Quincy Jones’s encouragement
• [20:24–21:44]: Crafting the accent and look for authenticity; audience (and Kathy Heller) weighs in
• [39:10–39:57]: Hugh and Kate on their chemistry and instant trust
• [44:42–45:46]: Letting go, acting with vulnerability, and meeting the moment in their lives
• [48:02–52:34]: Surprise for true Lightning and Thunder fans: private screening arranged by Hugh and Kate
• [53:17–55:17]: Final thoughts and hopes for the audience’s takeaway; the importance of holding on to dreams
• [56:04–56:40]: Neil Diamond “so good, so good, so good!” family story

Conclusion

Song Song Blue emerges as a celebration of dreams, resilience, and the power of music and found family. Oprah, Hugh, and Kate’s conversation is candid, vibrant, and full of heart—just like the film itself. The episode invites listeners to embrace their own dreams, cherish their chosen families, and let music unify and uplift. The hosts’ chemistry, laughter, and generosity—culminated by surprising devoted fans—leave listeners feeling inspired, joyful, and eager to experience the magic of the movie themselves.

Song Song Blue opens Christmas Day. As Oprah says, “Go see it with your family—you’ll walk away uplifted, with a song in your heart.”