Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell Emotionally Overwhelmed Watching Kate Hudson’s Stunning Performance in Song Sung Blue

Hollywood power couple shares tearful reaction to daughter’s transformative portrayal in Neil Diamond tribute band musical

Main Takeaways:

• Goldie Hawn reveals emotional screening experience with partner Kurt Russell
• Russell reportedly declared Hudson among greatest actresses ever—rare high praise from typically reserved actor
• Film explores chosen family themes resonating deeply with Hudson-Russell blended family story

Profound Parental Reaction

During a January 13th post-screening discussion at AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles, 80-year-old Goldie Hawn—serving as Q&A moderator—disclosed that she and 74-year-old longtime partner Kurt Russell experienced overwhelming emotion while viewing an unfinished version of Song Sung Blue featuring their daughter Kate Hudson.

Explaining she hadn’t cried so intensely at a film since childhood, Hawn shared Russell’s remarkable assessment of Hudson’s abilities, noting, “He said you might be the greatest actress of all time. And he doesn’t make those kinds of statements.”

Intimate Early Screening

“When we first watched this film, Kurt and I sat together viewing an incomplete version—without final color correction, sound balancing, and other finishing touches,” Hawn recounted during the panel. “The two of us held onto each other and cried.”

“From the very moment you performed the Patsy Cline song!” Hawn told her 46-year-old daughter. “I mean, we literally cried. It was one of those moments where we wondered, ‘What have we just witnessed?’ And it represented such an extraordinary surprise.”

Film Premise and Characters

Hudson portrays Claire in the musical biopic inspired by the authentic Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder. Her character forms a tribute act with Mike Sardina (portrayed by Hugh Jackman) in 1989, with their professional collaboration eventually blossoming into romance.

Family Connections Explored

During Tuesday’s panel, Hawn drew parallels between Jackman’s character and Russell, as Hudson noted the film explores “chosen family, which resonates powerfully with our own experience.”

“You know, he resembled Kurt so much,” Hawn observed as Hudson laughed, continuing, “Because that’s exactly what Kurt did—entered my life and embraced our entire family.”

Hudson responded, “That’s truly heroic.”

Blended Family Background

Russell and Hawn’s combined family includes four children: Boston Russell, whom Kurt shares with former wife Season Hubley; Kate and Oliver Hudson from Goldie’s previous relationship with Bill Hudson; and their youngest, Wyatt Russell. Following Bill and Goldie’s 1982 divorce finalization, she began dating Russell in 1983, with Kate considering him her stepfather for over four decades.

Hudson’s Personal Emotional Journey

Hawn’s revelation about crying during the screening isn’t the family’s first discussion of emotional responses. Hudson, who earned a Golden Globe nomination this year for her performance in director Craig Brewer’s musical biopic, told media in December 2025 that the film prompted daily tears.

“I cry daily because whenever Hugh and I discuss the movie, we become incredibly emotional,” the Glass Onion actress explained.

She admitted, “I cry very easily. I’m an easy crier… I could view an Instagram post and start crying. Especially posts featuring children saying something profound will make me cry.”

“I probably cry at least once every other day,” Hudson added. “Crying is always beneficial. It truly is.”

Family Emotional Openness

She emphasized that her mother Hawn, brother Oliver and other family members were equally comfortable expressing feelings.

“We’re all criers,” Hudson told journalists. “Our entire family, everybody except maybe Pa [Russell] and Wyatt,” adding, “We’re pretty emotional people.”

Co-Star Mutual Admiration

Hudson’s comments followed her discussion with co-star Jackman, 57, at the 2025 Gotham Awards on December 1st.

“His superpower involves connection—whether onstage, on set, or with anyone and everyone. He genuinely wants to connect and ensure everyone’s happiness,” Hudson explained before addressing Jackman directly. “Simultaneously, I learned that one of the greatest gifts you can offer people is a genuine desire to connect with them, and I believe you provide that to everybody.”

Jackman responded, “I learned tremendously from Kate. I’ve completed nearly 50 films, but somehow working with Kate—it’s difficult to articulate, but the balance between being prepared and being instinctive represents an extremely fine line, and nobody executes it better than Kate Hudson.”

He concluded, “Being with her… I believe I became a superior actor.”

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Career Recognition

Hudson’s performance has garnered significant industry recognition, including her Golden Globe nomination—validation of the emotional depth and technical skill that moved her famous parents to tears during that early screening.

The film’s exploration of tribute band culture, romantic partnership, and chosen family apparently resonated profoundly with audiences beyond Hudson’s celebrity parents, positioning the musical biopic as both critical success and emotionally powerful cinematic experience.

Legacy of Support

The deeply emotional response from Hawn and Russell reflects their longstanding support of Hudson’s career, which began with her breakthrough performance in Almost Famous over two decades ago. Their tears during Song Sung Blue demonstrate that despite Hudson’s extensive filmography and established reputation, she continues capable of surprising and moving even those who’ve watched her perform since childhood.

For Russell to declare Hudson potentially “the greatest actress of all time”—particularly notable given his typical restraint with such proclamations—signals extraordinary achievement in this particular performance. Combined with Hawn’s admission of crying more intensely than any time since age 11, these parental assessments suggest Song Sung Blue represents a career-defining work for Hudson.

The family’s willingness to publicly discuss these emotional moments—both Hawn and Russell’s tears and Hudson’s daily crying—reveals an openness about vulnerability that mirrors the film’s themes of chosen family, connection, and authentic emotional expression, creating a narrative that extends beyond the screen into their real-life family dynamics.