Talking with the youngest female EGOT winner in history, Jennifer Hudson, Audacy's 94.7 The Wave host Maggie McKay had the superstar vocalist, actress, and talk-show host on to fill her in all about her new holiday album, upcoming concert, and more.

Hard to believe, but Jennifer’s latest musical release, The Gift of Love, which came out October 18, is her first time dabbling in the holiday album arena. When asked why now was the right time to use her magical voice to spread some holiday cheer, Hudson simply put it, “Why not now?”

“You know, I love the holidays and it's been a part of my family traditions,” she continued, “obviously singing carols and having holiday parties when people come together. And it's something I want to share with the world, to add to everyone else's holiday traditions. I hope that this holiday album is a part of everyone's holiday tradition moving forward.”

“That's why it's called The Gift Of Love,” Jennifer went on to note, “because what better gift to give than music, because that's my favorite thing, you know?”

With its 16-song tracklist of Christmas Classics and a few originals, Jennifer feels “like there's a gift under the tree for everybody. Whatever song you pick… that’s my gift to you.”

Speaking of the tracklist, Jennifer also shared how she went about choosing which ones to include, noting that “the toughest part,” and “probably what has taken me the longest to do a holiday album… because I love them all.”

Hudson went on to share how each selection are “all very personal to me in some way.” For example “Carol Of The Bells,” Jennifer shared, “I used to sing that in high school, ensemble style. So I wanted to be able to display that and sing those songs. “Holy Night,” also easily made the list as it’s admittedly Jennifer’s “favorite holiday song hands down,” while the also present “Hallelujah” is her “favorite song to sing.”

Talking original tracks, Jennifer admitted, “I love ‘Santa for Someone,” sharing that to her the song feels “like it's from different perspectives… We got the shoppers… the parents… those that are looking for gifts, and trying to get everything perfectly done in time for the holidays. That's what ‘Santa for Someone’ comes from because it's like we go crazy trying to get the right gift for everybody… And I was like, there's no song for that.”

“‘Go Tell It on the Mountain,’ that’s for the mourners… and the church goers too, Jennifer shared. “I grew up in the church, so when I think of church Christmas, we used to sing, ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain.’ But then what about those who have lost loved ones and are not looking forward to going through the holiday season? Where is the song for them? So I blend that together.”

Additionally, The Gift of Love also gifts us with a couple of collaborations, one from GRAMMY award-winner Common, who also happens to be Hudson’s boyfriend.

Jennifer also chatted about her upcoming performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, on December 18th, where she’ll be singing tracks from her holiday album, which she’s very excited about.

Calling the upcoming show a “dream,” Hudson said, “I cannot wait to get out there,” and to have “people come out with their loved ones…to create… new family, holiday, memories and traditions, that’s what I wanna do with this album.”

Jennifer also discussed being a mega mentor on NBC’s The Voice, holiday traditions, motherhood, and more. To catch it all, listen to the entire interview above.

Words by Maia Kedem, Interview by Maggie McKay

Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images