Jennifer Hudson’s life is a modern day Cinderella story. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Hudson lived your typical life. That is, until she was cast in her first play in college. That small role got her uber successful career on track and took Jennifer from “girl with awesome voice” to Academy Award winning actress and recording artist. Jennifer Hudson is at the tippy top of her game, but no matter who she has worked with (Um…SJP? Ne-Yo? Beyonce?), she is still a hometown girl at heart.

CollegeCandy got to speak to Jennifer about her fame, her fashion and her future (her debut album drops on September 30th!). It is nothing short of inspiring.

CC: (Internal Dialogue: I can’t believe I am talking to Jennifer Hudson. Ohmygod. Ok, let me start this.)Everyone is always talking about your style; you always look flawless. What are your secrets?

JH: I refuse to leave the house unless I am comfortable in what I’m wearing. If I’m not comfortable, I’m not wearing it.

CC: Yeah. I agree, but my comfort clothes – sweats – won’t get me on any best dressed lists.

JH: I have to love what I’m in. To me, what I wear is an expression. I’m just expressing myself through my clothes. It’s how I feel that day.

CC: Being a movie and music star must keep you quite busy. How are you spending your summer?

JH: One day I’m doing music the next day I’m doing film. I’m preparing for my next film that is coming out, which is The Secret Life of Bees. I’m also starting to prepare for my album that is getting ready to drop, so I’m doing the promotions for that, as well. And when I can, I just hang out at home. Read More »

So Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are married. Reasons this is awesome:

1) Cannon quote: “Since we’ve been together, we’ve been inseparable,” i.e. 6 weeks. Incidentally, I got my new American Apparel dress around the same time the couple started dating, and we too have been inseparable. Perhaps it’s time we tied the knot? I’ve always wanted children, and we’re not getting any younger…

2) Mariah Carey is 48, and Nick Cannon is 17. I also heard a rumor that Nick Cannon was created in a lab from a strand of Carey’s hair and grape soda. All facts.

3) They celebrated their wedding by renting out a Six Flags Magic Mountain for a reported six figures. (On Cannon’s tab, not like it frickin’ matters. He is clearly the one marrying up in the situation.)

4) At said celebration, Mariah Carey had hair and makeup stylists on hand to fix her up after every ride. Mmmm, bottom-of-the-barrel self-esteem issues and rampant navel-gazing…exactly what I look for in a mate. Read More »

I love fashion. I really do. But no matter what kind of bullsh*t magazine editors tell you about styles this season being “new” and “fresh,” trends are more often than not just ideas that have been recycled 12,000 times since the early 1900s, which is pretty g*ddamn lame.

However, just when I was beginning to think that nothing innovative happens in fashion anymore, along comes the Art Heel.

I first became aware of the Art Heel this fall when reading about Marc Jacobs’ winter collection. The much-revered designer sent models down the runway wearing patent leather shoes with the heel attached to the ball of the foot – a move that, for practical purposes, makes no sense, but is aesthetically striking and different, for once. Since then, it seems that everyone from Jil Sander to D&G is looking to remake the high heel, and while I can’t afford a single pair, I’m endlessly excited that designers are finally thinking outside of the box. Here are a few of my top faves: Read More »

For most people, Fall means three things: football, candy corn pumpkins (my absolute fav.) and midterms.

And for those of us not living in California, Texas, Florida or any place with a year round temperature of hot and hotter, Fall means crisp cold air, hot caramel apple cider and sweater season!

No?

Anyone?

Well, maybe no one else out there adores Fall as much as me because none of you have seen the fabulous new sweater trends taking over the (cold part of the) country as we speak. Heading back to school means torn up sweatshirts and stuffy sweater sets no more. With my pal Marc Jacobs on the loose setting trends and taking names, curling up on the couch with a warm beverage and a warmer sweater never looked so good.

Inspired by his Fall 2007 collection, designers from Vuitton to the people behind Forever 21 are upping the ante and going all out for Fall. What’s in store (literally!) for you this season?

Belted Sweaters: Nothing says cozy like an over-sized sweater. But, nothing says dowdy like an oversized sweater, either. So, what do we do to make it chic? Belt it! You get the best of both worlds – cozy glamour – for a walk to class or a day at the library. Throw in a sexy camisole and you have the perfect ensemble for a night out with the boy. Read More »

Being green ain’t easy. Recycling, environmentally friendly beauty products, eco clothing, you have to think about this shit. And in college when most of your brain cells are still trying to compensate from last nights drinking binge, thinking comes just about as easily as being eco conscience.

Even before the whole green movement, I discovered one of the easiest ways to help out the environment: reusable bags. The good news ladies, is that they are totally in right now! Not only can you help the earth while going on a beer run, you can be considered as chic and as green as they come.

Surely, even in the college towns, you didn’t miss Anya Hindmarch “Not a Plastic Bag” craze/controversy. Fashionistas were lining up for the $7 dollar version of the canvas tote, while they were being sold on EBay for upwards of $600 dollars. Now, international launches of the bags have been canceled in Southeast Asia because of their “concern for their customers safety.” Cuh-razy fashion folk, they’ll do anything to be in!

Despite the fact that Hindmarch’s website denies the accusations, a London paper reported that the bags were made in China using cheap labor laws and were neither fair-trade nor organic. Huh?

Personally, I like this one a lot better. Read More »

Is anyone else seeing yellow? I’m pretty sure The Simpsons are taking over America. And I’m okay with it.

7-11’s are now Kwik-e-Marts, Jet Blue is their official airline, even Ben & Jerry’s is making an exclusive Simpson’s ice cream flavor for the premiere. Which, by the way, is being held in Springfield, NJ the town America chose as their own Springfield.

You too can be Simpsonized, eat Krusty-O’s cereal or a pink sprinklelicious donut, drink a Squishee or down a Buzz Cola all while reading your Radioactive Man Comic Book.

Or, if you’re a fan of fashion and find yourself glazing the pages of the August Harper’s Bazaar, you’ll see it features Marge alongside Simponized Linda Evangelista modeling the latest fashions (honestly, some dresses are from the Fall 07 collections). The designs of Chanel, Viktor & Rolf, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Gaultier are all featured as the family tours Paris.

WOO HOO! Could life get any better??

It could…and it does. Read More »

It’s no surprise that the beehive is back. A. Simp first started it with the small bang pompadour a few years ago. Ever since then, the beehive has just been growing…literally.

The beehive, donned by the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Marge Simpson, has made an appearance on some of our favorite troubled musicians. Amy Winehouse is known for the ‘do with Britney and Lilly Allen following her lead. Even Scar-Jo took the look for a test run at the Louis Vuitton runway show in Paris. Read More »