As her debut album gathers widespread acclaim, multihyphenate Kate Hudson continues to call her own tune.
“Music has always been my touchstone,” says acclaimed actress and mega-multihyphenate Kate Hudson.“To finally feel ready to share mine is deeply personal to me, almost like a musical memoir,” she says of her recently debuted first album, Glorious. “Writing this album over the past year and a half has been the most gratifying and immersive experience.”
Best known for her roles in iconic films and a series of successful business ventures, Hudson’s musical debut marks a profound step in her artistic journey, introducing her as a genuine music artist. Her album emerges as a collection of songs and a deeply personal exploration of her life and emotions.
Raised in a creatively vibrant household, Hudson has been a lifelong music enthusiast. “I’ve been writing music since I was a young girl. I always felt connected to music. Since I was very little, I wrote songs and little poems and lyrics that came to me, even though the house I grew up in was more of a theater house than a musical house,” she shares. This deep-seated connection to music has clearly influenced both her artistic approach and the lyrical depth of the album.
Hudson shares that the making of Glorious was as much about self-discovery as it was about music production. She reflects on the natural presence of music throughout her life: “There were always songs on the radio or in my home. There was always a piano, just like there were always musicians around. I’ve lived on the road and on tour, feeling that rush. And those songs in my head? Well, when you’ve been lucky to have a career like I’ve had, been around the musicians in my life and you take your songs seriously, it’s tricky.”
Hudson’s passion for music is palpable as she discusses the emotional weight of releasing her own songs. “It’s such a big thing to put your heart out there, knowing how much is on the line and the way people will judge you, and doing it anyway! I didn’t know what people would think, but I knew I couldn’t care,” she explains. Her bold approach has paid off, with the album receiving accolades across the industry and critical acclaim. “It’s amazing reading what some of these publications I grew up with wrote! Just WOW,” she marvels.
Reflecting on why Hudson took so long to take this step, she muses, “Why did I wait so long? I’ve done this in pieces for so long, hundreds of songs or recordings. Bits and ideas, scraps of music. But this? This was me in the process. Instead of witnessing, I was creating, striving, delivering these cans,” she explains. “What makes music transformative is that it’s so in-the-moment, so present. Even when it’s your song, people can draw their own conclusions and find their own lives in it.”
Hudson’s exploration of musical genres and styles in Glorious showcases her versatility. “A lot of these songs became big chorus, very cinematic, things. Even the quiet songs, the piano ballads, have a dynamic that surprised me,” Hudson says. “Because I love so many kinds of music, I gave myself permission to not struggle with labels or defining myself. That shuts down the creativity. I wanted this to be all the things I love,” she explains.
Alongside her musical debut, Hudson is set to star in the upcoming Netflix series Running Point, adding another feather to her overflowing cap. With Glorious and her new series, plus a full roster of business endeavors, Hudson continues to inspire and impress, proving that regardless of the medium, her art will always be glorious.
Photography by: Guy Aroch
