"I want to be a good role model, to help make a difference for somebody else," the Oscar winner told Colbert. "I just like doing what I love and I don't believe in being boxed in. I love living life and I'm inspired by seeing other people doing what they love to do. Somehow that seems to inspire others."
"I'm inspired by passion and passionate people," she continued. "Anything that you do, I think is so inspiring, when you're passionate about that."
Hudson said that Shug Avery was unlike any other character she'd played in the past. "For the most part, everything I've done has been really heavy or dramatic or emotional. Never glamorous. Shug is a glamor girl! That's fun." As Hudson revealed to Playbill.com earlier, she told Colbert that she wasn't expecting to be cast as "sex kitten" Shug and was surprised to receive the offer.
Hudson also joked about how doing a Broadway show allowed her to have a more lax diet in comparison to working on television. "On Broadway, there are no cameras so I can eat a little bit more chocolate," she laughed. Watch the full interview below:
Watch Hudson and the cast performing "Push Da Button" below:
The Broadway revival of The Color Purple, helmed by John Doyle, stars Hudson and Cynthia Erivo along with Danielle Brooks, Isaiah Johnson, Joaquina Kalukango and Kyle Scatliffe. Previews began Nov. 10 and it will officially open Dec. 10. For more information and to purchase tickets visit colorpurple.com.
