One of our favorite Virgos Jennifer Hudson turns 43 Thursday, September 12!

Global Grind Sr. Content Director Janeé Bolden spoke to Hudson this week about Season 3 of the Emmy-nominated The Jennifer Hudson Show and Hudson also opened up about her birthday plans with loved ones, including her boyfriend Common.

“I want to be with the children, my cats, my man, my man, my man!” Hudson told GlobalGrind exclusively. “Just be with my family and have a nice old domestic birthday. And I wanna ride horses. Yep that is what I want to do.”

Hudson and Common seemed to confirm their relationship in January 2024, when the rapper/actor appeared as a guest of the show. The couple have been the subject of romance rumors since 2022 when they were cast as onscreen spouses in the film Breathe.

After congratulating Hudson on the start of her third season next Monday, September 16, she spoke about the show’s theme ‘Choose Joy,’ and her intent to welcome all kinds of guests including celebrities, viral sensations, and everyday heroes who embody the spirit of choosing joy in their daily lives.

“I just want to be with family,” Hudson told BOSSIP. “The show, the audience, the guests here feels like home, it is home to me and that’s how I feel about everyone here, it’s like my family and so I can’t wait to get back in the house of the happy place, spread, and choose joy this season and create more and more memories here at the Jennifer Hudson Show.”

During premiere week, Jennifer will welcome stars such as Angela Bassett, Sofía Vergara, Dave Bautista, and Marlon Wayans. Other celebs confirmed to join Jennifer this season include Saweetie, Andrea Bocelli, Jimmy Kimmel, Ariana DeBose, Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell and more. Audiences can expect candid conversations, unforgettable performances, and inspiring stories that reflect the show’s uplifting mission.

Last season earned Hudson two GLAAD Media Awards and an NAACP award for Outstanding Talk Show Series, thanks in part to her positive and engaging approach to daytime tv. Even with the season returning during a particularly contentious Presidential election cycle, Hudson said she’s not afraid to have political guests and conversations.

“I like perspective, so we won’t shy away from that,” Hudson said. “That’s what this place is for, a platform to have their say, their perspective and their thoughts. Everything that helps us move forward as humans, I’m all for it.”

We can also expect plenty of fun from Season 3. One of Hudson’s most popular episodes last season was definitely Halloween when Hudson channeled Missy Elliott.

“You got me wondering who am I going to be this year,” Hudson told GlobalGrind. “I better get to thinking because that’s serious business and speaking of last year, I was Missy right? I just got to see Missy on tour a couple of times this summer and so I’m hoping Missy will come and be a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show because there’s nothing like the real thing as we know. But you got me thinking, who do you think I should be for this Halloween? I hadn’t even given much thought about it.”

Hudson wasn’t even mad at our suggestion that she and Common pick a couples costume and enjoy the holiday as a pair.

“OK you’re giving me some ideas,” Hudson said. “That would be good, that’s a good idea. Oh, what if somebody was us for Halloween? That would be funny too.”

This definitely has us looking forward to Halloween. Do you think Jennifer will get Common involved?

Hudson, who is the youngest woman to win an EGOT also told BOSSIP that she will continue to be ambitious in pursuit of her goals. And it turns out that some of those goals also include Common.

“I want to work on EGOT #2 that’s my goal,” Hudson said. “You know what I want? I need a Stellar Award I don’t have a Stellar Award.”

“Speaking of ‘my man, my man, my man,’ don’t you think our song “There Is A God” could be nominated? It’s a gospel song,” Hudson continued.

It’s a beautiful song — if you haven’t heard it, check it out HERE.

For more information, including local listings, visit www.jenniferhudsonshow.com.