‘American idol’ on American politics
Note to celebrities: When you swing through Washington, D.C., be prepared to talk politics.
When “American Idol” star and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson performed at the Newseum on Friday for “Good Morning America,” we had to ask her: “What are your thoughts on the election?”
“I’ve never had that question before,” Hudson responded with a blank stare. “Oh yeah! I’m in D.C.”
Fear not, however: She is, at least, registered to vote. “Honey, of course! My mother wouldn’t have it any other way.”
It’s no surprise Hudson seemed disoriented: She had just finished performing two songs to a crowd of hundreds. And she confessed to the crowd that she was recently engaged, so perhaps she’s just a girl preoccupied with love.
Whatever the reason, Hudson slowly got her mind-set back into politics, but wouldn’t cough up her preferred candidate.
“I’m glad to witness this time of change,” she said instead. “It’s great to see that Americans are open-minded to the possibility of change,” she continued. “I can’t even begin to focus on specific issues with the excitement of the election … not only because of an African-American candidate, but also because of a female vice presidential nominee.”
She did, however, open up on some things, confessing that she’d like lower taxes and that candidates should have to endure media scrutiny, “but without invading their private lives unfairly.”
Elsewhere around town:
»The Arizona Cardinals hung their football helmets at the Tysons Corner Marriott this weekend, following a loss to the Redskins on Sunday.
»That was Princess Leia, er, Carrie Fisher doing some book browsing in Georgetown’s Barnes & Noble on Friday night, following her show, “Wishful Drinking,” which runs at the Arena Stage through the end of September.
»There’s been a great addition to the Youth AIDS Gala, which will be held at The Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner on Oct. 3: Sharon Osbourne will join Ashley Judd, Annie Lennox, Bob Geldof and others.
»New York Observer owner (and on-again, off-again boyfriend to Ivanka Trump) Jared Kushner was seen partying with friends at Tattoo Bar on K Street on Thursday.
»Also on Thursday, FBI Director Robert Mueller sampled the grub at Et Voila, the new Belgian restaurant in the Palisades.
»On Friday, Redskin great John Riggins, “The Bachelor” star Andy Baldwin, Miss America Kirsten Haglund, Miss Virginia Tara Wheeler and poker pro Rhett Butler participated in the USO’s Casino Night at the Sheraton National in Arlington.
