Jennifer Hudson on Going 'Home for Christmas' and Her New Baby

This season, Christmas will come a bit early for fans of Jennifer Hudson.

The Oscar-winning actress and 'American Idol' alum will star in her very own holiday special, aptly titled 'Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas,' airing tonight at 8PM on ABC. The special will take viewers to her hometown of Chicago, where she will relieve some of her best childhood memories. Guests include Grammy winner Michael Buble and, as Hudson told AOL TV, a special appearance by her newborn son, David.

Last week, we chatted more with Hudson about her Christmas special, baby David, 'Sex and the City 2' and more. Here's what she had to say.This season, Christmas will come a bit early for fans of Jennifer Hudson.

The Oscar-winning actress and 'American Idol' alum will star in her very own holiday special, aptly titled 'Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas,' airing tonight at 8PM on ABC. The special will take viewers to her hometown of Chicago, where she will relieve some of her best childhood memories. Guests include Grammy winner Michael Buble and, as Hudson told AOL TV, a special appearance by her newborn son, David.

Last week, we chatted more with Hudson about her Christmas special, baby David, 'Sex and the City 2' and more. Here's what she had to say.

How did the special come about?
Originally, I guess it came from my management, and then the idea that they had. And they brought it to me, and I loved it. I loved the idea, and so we went from there.

How exciting was it to revisit places like your high school now that you're famous?
It was such a treat. It's just like, you know when you had that old ex-boyfriend or something you broke up with a long time ago, and then you grow up and become successful, or you grow up to look like a supermodel, you can't wait for them to see you again? [laughs] Well, it's that same kind of feeling. It's like, wow, I get to go back, and give back and inspire. For me, when I was growing up, they would have different artists or celebrities at the time come to our school and sing for us. That did something for me. It motivated me, and it planted the seed in me to say, "Wow, I can achieve this." It inspired me. So, I just want to be able to do the same for the kids who are there now, to say, "She came to my school, and I see her do this, and she did that and she did that, so that means I can do it, too." And then it's like a huge celebration. It's like, just for me? I felt like I was just there and just one of those kids just yesterday, and now I'm coming back with all of this.

Has filming a Christmas special inspired you to put out a Christmas album next year?
I would love to do that. But Christmas comes so quick, I never get a chance to get it done before the season is here. But hopefully maybe next year I will ... I'm actually currently getting started on my sophomore album. I'm getting in the studio for that.

Given that you've won an Oscar and a Grammy, do you already have a spot on your mantle for an Emmy?
Oh, wow [laughs]. I never expect these awards, so I can't say that I do [laughs].

This has been such a big year for you: you sang at the Super Bowl; you won a Grammy; you had a baby; and now this special. What was the best moment of 2009 for you?
Of course having my baby; that's a given [laughs]. That takes the cake. After that, I can't think even think of anything else. Everything, you know, it's like two different worlds, two different levels. But definitely the baby.

This will also be a big Christmas for you, with the new baby. How do you plan to celebrate the holidays?
Well, of course, I'm going back home for the holidays. I'm going to Chicago. I have to be in Chicago, because that's how I grew up with Christmas, and I want my son to have the same thing. That's what we're gonna do for the holidays: go back home. It's his first Christmas, so I want to make it big for him, even though he probably won't remember it [laughs]. But still, we can tell him about it.

Will we get to see him in the special?
You will, yeah, because it also captures him going home to Chicago for the first time. So, it's kind of a bit of a celebration of different things, and that's one of them, and we got to capture that moment as well.

Do you already have gifts picked out for him?
You know what? To be honest, I don't know right now [laughs]. But I'm thinking! I don't know where to start. It's like one of those things. I don't know where to start.

Has being a mom changed the way you make decisions in your career?
Well, I've always been careful, so I don't think that much has changed. But I don't know how to answer that. Maybe. You're more cautious with your steps and your decisions, and how you issue out your time to do whatever it is that I need to do -- things like that, so I can make sure I have time to spend with him. Before, it was like, ok, yeah. We can go and do a run for a month straight and not have to come back home. But now I'm very careful, like, "OK, I can come and do this for how many days? Is it two? Three? OK, well do you realize I'm away from my baby this or that long?" And I'm ready to get back to him right away. So, I can't just run off and be gone forever and then come back, you know? I have a reason to come home and be there.

We're reaching the end of the year. What's in store for Jennifer Hudson in 2010?
Sometimes, you go into the new year blindfolded, like you don't know what to expect. But I'll just be ready for whatever comes. I'll be doing my next film as Winnie Mandela, and I'll be doing my album and getting that out there. I'm on a tour again, but on an international tour this time around. From there, I guess I have to see what else is out there.

Are you excited to play Winnie? Nervous?
I'm a bit of everything right now [laughs]. Nervous, excited ... It's an honor, so I'm just honored.

Speaking of movies, will you make an appearance in 'Sex and the City 2'?
No, not for 'Sex and the City.' But I can't wait to see it, though!

Will you have time to watch Ellen on 'Idol this year?
Oh my God, I can't wait for 'Idol' to start. I'm interested to see how it's gonna turn out this year, because I love Ellen, and I love watching 'Idol' and I think she'll do very well. But my thing, I'm curious to see how viewers who have been watching 'Idol' for eight seasons are gonna be able to accept the drastic changes. We haven't gotten used to Paula being gone yet.

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