Purple Reign: 6 Breathtaking Photos of Jennifer Hudson
Actress and singer Jennifer Hudson is making her Broadway debut in a revival of
The Color Purple—so we asked her to model that regal shade in a dramatic New York City theater. "Purple is absolutely my favorite color," she says. "My closet is purple, my dressing room is purple and I even love a purple lipstick!" Here the star shows just how scene-stealing the shade can be.
By Clarissa Cruz and Megan Deem
Photos: Ruven Afanador
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Deco Diva
"This pose is more of a Shug moment than a Jennifer moment," says Oscar winner Hudson, who saw
The Color Purple four times on Broadway and twice in Chicago. "She is such a different, funky character for me, and I was very attached to the book and the film." Another transformation? This year Hudson cut her hair short: "I like how the length shows off my neck. And I always need lipstick. My favorite is Heroine by MAC, a great purple!"
Dress, Tadashi Shoji, $688. Coat, Donna Salyers' Fabulous-Furs, $179. Rings (from left
), Dionea Orcini Fine Jewelry, Mimi So, and Ash + Ames. Earrings, de Grisogono. Brooch, Jarin K. Bracelets (from top
), CB Bronfman, J/Hadley Jewelry, Freida Rothman, and J/Hadley Jewelry.
Beauty Highlight
Dramatic makeup made easy.
CoverGirl beauty ambassador
Sam Fine wanted Hudson's makeup to evoke Hollywood glamour, so he opted for a classic smoky eye and bold mouth.
Start by smoothing on a powder foundation, such as Tom Ford Beauty Flawless Powder/Foundation.
"In order to complement Jennifer's purple gowns," Fine says, "I used a soft brownish burgundy eyeshadow" (CoverGirl Queen Collection 1-Kit Eye Shadow in Raisin). For definition, he traced Hudson's eyes with black liquid liner (try Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen) and finished with black mascara (Maybelline New York The Falsies Push Up Drama is a good one).
To create an arresting mouth, Fine used a plum lipstick (try Lancôme Color Design Matte Lip Crayon in Berry Haute), which he topped with a coordinating gloss (like Sephora Collection Oil Infusion Color & Care in Fresh Berries).
And to ensure that the chicness extended to her fingertips, Hudson's nails got a coat of Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Vamp, a deep wine.
From the
December 2015 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
