Kate Hudson Reflects on Career and Recent Oscar Nomination

Kate Hudson is taking a moment to look back on her career following her second Oscar nomination, which comes 25 years after her first. Just last month, the 46-year-old actress earned a nomination for Best Actress for her role in the 2025 biographical musical drama, “Song San Bleu.”

Hudson initially gained fame in the 2000 film “Almost Famous,” which earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 2001 Oscars.

On February 12, she attended the 28th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards in Los Angeles, where she received the Spotlight Award. This accolade honors actors who show a sustained commitment to excellence and a genuine appreciation for costume design. During a red carpet interview, she contemplated the advice she would give her younger self.

“I think offering advice to my younger self would downplay all the good decisions I’ve made. Even the mistakes I’ve made shaped who I am now, so I wouldn’t change anything,” she said. Yet, reflecting on her career, Hudson acknowledged one regret.

“If you were to ask me what I would change, it would be to keep more clothes!” she admitted.

The following day, Hudson received another distinction at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Gwyneth Paltrow, her long-time friend, presented her with the Arlington Award after discussing her journey with The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg.

In a pre-event interview, Hudson shared her excitement about winning the award. “Santa Barbara is so beautiful. I love it here,” she said. “Tonight is a wonderful opportunity to revisit my past work, and I appreciate the love that ‘Song San Bleu’ is getting.”

Hudson also opened up about how her experience with awards season has evolved over the years. “It’s like having a third child,” she joked.

She has three children: Ryder, 21, with ex-husband Chris Robinson; Bingham, 14, with ex-fiancé Matt Bellamy; and Lani, 7, with current fiancé Danny Fujikawa. “It feels different now,” she noted. “When I was 21, I was just starting out, and now I celebrate my friends in this industry.”

Hudson discussed how her children have reacted to her recent nomination. “They understand I’m busy and are excited,” she said. “The older kids are thrilled, and I think Lani enjoys seeing my outfits. She often asks, ‘Oh, what’s that, Mom?'”

At the event, Paltrow and Hudson shared a warm moment, embracing and posing together. Inside the Arlington Theater, Hudson engaged in a lengthy discussion with Feinberg before a full audience. She recalled her father’s supportive words after a past loss at the Oscars. “Kurt told me, ‘Congratulations, you can make a career out of this,'” she remembered fondly.

Having risen to fame as Penny Lane in “Almost Famous,” Hudson has starred in numerous hit romantic comedies, including “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and “Bride Wars.”

While speaking with Feinberg, she reflected on how challenging the romantic comedy genre can be. “It’s one of the toughest genres to get right,” she observed, adding that her intention for these films has always been to create something great, rather than just a standard rom-com.

Despite being associated with romantic comedies, Hudson has expressed a desire to take on diverse roles. “Being known for one type of film can make it hard for filmmakers to see you in different lights,” she said.

She found that “Song San Bleu” provided a chance for transformation, marking a new chapter in her career. Hudson emphasized that her choices are guided more by the stories that resonate with audiences than by awards recognition.

Set against a true story backdrop, “Song San Bleu” features Hudson as Claire “Thunder” Sardina and Hugh Jackman as Mike “Lightning” Sardina, who perform in a Neil Diamond tribute band. Hudson showcased her singing talents in the film, which garnered critical acclaim for her performance.

Apart from acting, Hudson previously released her debut album “Glorious” in May 2024. Reflecting on her music aspirations, she admitted to feeling discouraged in the past about pursuing a music career. “I was told I might be too old to start this,” she recalled. However, the pandemic inspired her to take the plunge, leading to a surprisingly positive response.

“I couldn’t believe the warmth and support I received,” she said. “I started to wonder why I hadn’t tried this sooner.”

Looking forward, Hudson shared her hopes for future projects, saying the momentum from recent accolades might lead to positive changes in her work.

Paltrow also stepped onto the stage to present Hudson with the Arlington Award, offering a heartfelt tribute that highlighted their shared history. “We’ve lived many chapters together,” Paltrow reminisced, bringing laughter to the audience as she recalled their adventures, concluding with praise for Hudson’s performance in “Song San Bleu.”