Kate Hudson joins forces with Hugh Jackman for the upcoming film Song Sung Blue, placing their vocal talents at the center of this musical drama. The film, featuring the real-life story of Mike and Claire Sardina and their Neil Diamond tribute act, Lightning & Thunder, is set for release in theaters on Thursday, December 25, and is already generating strong reviews.
Capturing the Real Voices Behind Song Sung Blue
Song Sung Blue explores the lives of tribute band performers, highlighted by the chemistry of the lead actors. As an established Tony Award-winning singer and actor, Hugh Jackman’s singing chops come as no surprise. However, audiences might wonder if Kate Hudson, known for her strong acting career, performs her own vocals in the film. The answer is yes—Hudson recorded her own vocals for the movie, delivering authentic musical performances alongside Jackman and contributing to the fresh energy reviewers are already praising.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Recording the Movie’s Music
Kate Hudson described her experiences working in the recording studio for Song Sung Blue. She revealed how her first connection with Jackman occurred during these sessions, highlighting the close, vulnerable environment that often accompanies studio work.
“Craig [Brewer, the director] wanted to start in the recording studio, that was really the first time Hugh and I connected which was really nice because it’s very quiet, and you’re quite vulnerable when you’re in a recording studio,”
Kate Hudson, via Hello
“You make a lot of mistakes and so it was great to break the ice that way.”
Kate Hudson, via Hello
The director, Craig Brewer, offered Hudson the space to develop harmonies while also encouraging her to push artistic boundaries. She commented,
“Craig gave me great freedom for my harmonies and pushed me as well at times, saying, ‘You can lean into that more,’ and it was a wonderful way to begin this whole process.”
Kate Hudson, via Hello
Kate Hudson’s Musical Evolution Reaches the Big Screen
Though moviegoers might recall Hudson’s performance on “Cinema Italiano” from the Nine soundtrack, which remains her most-played song on YouTube, she only recently released her own album. Just one year before the arrival of Song Sung Blue, Hudson debuted her album Glorious in May 2024, introducing singles like “Talk About Love,” “Live Forever,” and “Gonna Find Out.” She promoted the new music through televised performances, such as the GLAAD Media Awards, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and The Voice.
Hudson spoke candidly about her journey as a recording artist and the decision to release an album after many years of sporadic music work.
“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,”
Kate Hudson, on her debut
She added,
“Instead of witnessing, I was creating, striving, delivering these songs. 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.”
Kate Hudson, on her debut
Rising Anticipation for Song Sung Blue
With its release approaching, Song Sung Blue is already earning positive attention, holding a 74% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s recognizable focus on music, as well as authentic performances by both Hudson and Jackman, have been key factors fueling excitement, particularly among fans of Neil Diamond and musical biopics. As their collaboration continues to draw advance praise, audiences can expect a film that captures both the challenges and the joy of making music—while possibly inspiring Hudson’s fans to further explore her growing career as a musician.
