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Jennifer Hudson: Whitney Houston and Babyface influenced my new Netflix movie role

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ABC/Craig SjodinWhile she’s an icon to many of her fans, Jennifer Hudson says two true music legends — Whitney Houston and Babyface — helped inspire her during the filming of her new Netflix original movie, Sandy Wexler.

In the film, Jennifer plays an aspiring singer named Courtney Clarke opposite Adam Sandler, who plays talent agent Sandy Wexler.

She tells ABC Radio that the first movie Whitney Houston ever starred in was was the prototype for the film, and the late diva herself inspired Courtney’s style and her music.

She says, “I remember Adam and Steven Brill, the director, saying it’s kinda like a comedic version of The Bodyguard, in a way. And you definitely feel the sentiment of Whitney throughout the film, even with the song ‘DJ,’ it kinda has more of a ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ or ‘My Name is Not Susan’ type of vibe to it.”

“And even my style — Whitney was a huge reference for a lot of the looks for Courtney in the film,” she adds. 

As for Babyface, he was a musical collaborator on the film, and the singer was excited to reunite with him.  They’d previously worked together on her third studio album, JHUD, though what they recorded didn’t end up making the album. 

“I was able to double back and work with him on this project,” she tells ABC Radio. “And he did three songs for Sandy…“DJ,” “Butterflies” and “Make You Wanna Feel My Love.” So I got to work with Babyface again and who’s not a fan of Babyface?” 

Sandy Wexler is now available to stream on Netflix.  

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