‘Song Sung Blue’ Star Kate Hudson Reveals Neil Diamond’s Favorite of His Songs
What To Know
- Kate Hudson earned her second Oscar nomination for her lead role in the Neil Diamond musical film Song Sung Blue, where she also had the chance to meet and speak with Diamond.
- Neil Diamond revealed to Hudson that his favorite song to perform from his catalog is the introspective 1971 hit “I Am… I Said,” which she performs in the movie.
- Song Sung Blue, directed by Craig Brewer and co-starring Hugh Jackman, is inspired by a real-life tribute act and uses Diamond’s music to drive the film’s emotional narrative.
Kate Hudson received her second-ever Oscar nomination on January 22, 2026, for her role as Claire Sardina in the Neil Diamond musical Song Sung Blue. In the course of her work on the film, Hudson had the opportunity to spend time with Diamond himself, who turns 85 on January 24 — and in the process, learned that the legendary singer-songwriter says his 1971 hit “I Am… I Said” is his favorite song to perform from his own back catalog.
In an Instagram reel shared while promoting her film, Hudson explained that she had the opportunity to ask Diamond about his favorite of his own songs. As Hudson wrote, “When I met with @neildiamond I asked him what his favorite song to perform was. He told me it was ‘I Am… I Said,” one of the songs I had the honor of singing in our movie @songsungbluefilm”
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“I Am… I Said” holds a special place in Diamond’s catalog. Released in 1971 and included on his album Stones, the song reached the Top Five on the U.S. pop charts. Unlike some of his more celebratory hits, the music is deeply introspective, exploring themes of loneliness and identity. Over the years, it has often been cited as one of Diamond’s most personal compositions, both lyrically and emotionally. That emotional weight may explain why it resonates so strongly with him as a performer.
Song Sung Blue, directed by Craig Brewer, stars Hudson and Hugh Jackman as Claire and Mike Sardina, a real-life married couple who found unexpected success performing as a Neil Diamond tribute act called Lightning & Thunder. The film is inspired by a 2008 documentary of the same name and uses Diamond’s music as the emotional foundation of the story. While it is not a biopic of Diamond himself, his songs are featured in the film and shape the characters’ personal journeys.
Kate Hudson received her first Oscar nomination, for Best Supporting Actress, in 2001 for her work on Almost Famous. Her nomination for Best Actress for Song Sung Blue is the first time she has been considered for a Best Actress award.
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Pop Music Legends
August 2017
Dedicated to the sights, sounds and stories of the golden age of pop.
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