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 »

There are some albums everyone should have in their collection. If you’re a fan of popular music, or at least good music in general, Weezer’s first self-titled album, now affectionately titled The Blue album, is one of those. In ten simple ditties written about things as simple as surfing and hangin’ out in the garage and as harrowing and complex as alcoholism. Weezer crashed the grunge music party and found a home in popular culture.

Since their debut on the scene in 1994, reviews of Weezer’s subsequent albums have paled in comparison. Fans, myself included, have stood by the band as Pinkerton, The Green Album, Maladroit and Make Believe saw occasional commercial success with pop-like singles but nothing lasting.

But we held out. We found and embraced the good stuff (Pinkerton’s been in my heavy rotation since high school) where snooty reviewers and the general public saw weak pet projects. And now, for Weezer and music fans alike, the long wait may be over. Read More »

You know how it is; you’re in the gym and, even though you’ve forgotten your iPod, the radio station that’s playing has a pretty good range of songs and you have a good beat going. Or maybe you’re in the car, driving along and blasting the stereo as high as it can go. Or maybe you’re not even moving. Maybe you’re just chilling in your room. But, inevitably, that one song some comes on.

You know precisely what I mean. THAT song. That song that you just can’t stand. That song that makes you want to storm out the room or change the station or maybe even kick the stereo system. It’s like nails on a chalkboard, and all you want is for it to end. Yet, you know all the words, even though you hate admitting that to yourself. Somewhere in the deep recesses of your brain – and you would never admit this to anybody – you want to sing along.

Everyone has their own flame list. This is mine.

10. Warrant – “Cherry Pie“: Why is a song about pedophilia and incest so popular? Why is it a classic? Why is the video so creepy? Why am I so awesome at this song on Guitar Hero? Questions that may never be answered.

9. Timbaland (feat. One Republic) – “Apologize“: This title is misleading, because the word “apologize” never once comes into the song. “Pologize” does come into the chorus pretty often. I think it may be a synonym for self-pollinating your garden. Read More »

Ashlee Simpson: Outta My Head

In her new video, Ashlee Simpson is definitely channeling Gwen Stefani. Do you love it or hate it? Let us know in the comments and get Ashlee’s newest single here!

I used to be a PM gym-goer. Considering I spent about 99% of my college mornings in a state of hung-over, getting to the gym before class was not an option.

Instead, I would roll out of bed, drag my pajama’d ass to class and take a nice long nap before heading to the rec building for my pre-drinking workout.

But now that college is over (and no, I am still not over it), I spend ten hours a day behind a desk and can’t muster the energy to get out of my car after work to pick up my take out, let alone make it through an hour long kickboxing class.

I have been left with no choice but to do the AM thang. 5:30 in the AM to be exact.

And let me tell you, it is not fun. It is still quite dark outside when my alarm starts screaming at 5:30. I stumble around my house looking for my workout apparel and don’t even open my eyes until my feet hit the treadmill.

The only thing that gets me through this early morning hell is music. And I have finally perfected the art of the motivating playlist. These mixes put some pep in my ellipticizing step.

I may even be found boogying on the gym ball. Read More »

It’s Britney, y’all!

Like her new sound, the first words off of Britney Spears’s fresh single are a little hardcore. Following Timberlake and Furtado, Spears is leaving her candy pop behind and getting down and dirty with hard beats and a sexually tinged chorus.

Then again, when was our girl ever NOT tinged with sexuality?

The single, released late on Thursday night, isn’t the best thing I’ve ever heard, but it certainly doesn’t suck, and seems twice as amazing considering that as of late, Ms. Spears has appeared absolutely bat sh*t crazy. Read More »

For those of you halfway through your first school week, relaxing with a cold one may not be the first thing on your mind. But why not? It’s Hump Day! Celebrate your first (half) week back with a little get together!

Everyone knows that a party is not complete without a decent mix of pump-up songs. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy chugging your beers to a bumpin’ beat? It’s important for every college lady to know the best tunes to guide you along the beautiful road to tipsy:

Fiddy & JT: She Wants It (Ayo Technology)

Justin’s always a no-fail, but make sure to resist the drunken lap dance. You’ll always manage to feel a lot hotter than you actually look, bumping and grinding and simultaneously knocking over your roommate’s laptop. (Oops.) Read More »

Justin Timberlake gets around.

He’s done a lot for music, knows how to play the celebrity game, and has even started to gain some acting chops. So sure, the boy’s got talent.

And even if you’re like me, and don’t find JT any hotter than that lanky guy sitting next to you on the subway, it’s easy to see why other people find him attractive. All those years in the limelight have made him a pretty confident fellow, and he almost always shows up in an outfit the works. Timberlake knows how to work that babyface.

And apparently, he works it to get every hot young thing in Hollywood.

Page Six (I know, let’s take a moment to recognize the source) is reporting that JT recently found himself at a club “sitting with a bronze-skinned brunette” and pretending like he had no idea who his girlfriend of a few months, Jessica Biel, was.

A steamy source also whispered that the J-Dawg “is notorious. He will [bleep] anything”. Read More »

Timbaland (feat. The Hives): Throw It On Me

From the album Shock Value. Buy it here.

Timbaland: “Give It to Me” (feat. Justin Timberlake & Nelly Furtado)

From the album Timbaland Presents Shock Value. Buy it here.