Jennifer Hudson listens to Christmas music even when she's at the beach in the summer.
The singer-actress unveiled her debut holiday album, titled The Gift of Love, in October, with the record featuring her take on classic tracks like Jingle Bells and Winter Wonderland.
Speaking to The New York Post about the project, Jennifer admitted that she plays her favourite festive tracks all year round.
"I remember bike riding, listening to Christmas music on the beach. And I was like, 'We should probably listen to holiday music more than during the holidays because it kind of gives you this peace and relaxation,'" she recalled, adding that she started working on the album during a break from filming her self-titled daytime talk show. "It's been a dream of mine my whole career. I'm a holiday fanatic... so it just makes sense."
The Gift of Love also includes a rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic, Hallelujah. Even though the track isn't particularly festive, Jennifer was determined for it to be included on the tracklist.
"I was like, if Hallelujah is not on it, then there is no album," the 43-year-old recounted. "Some may not look at it as a holiday song, but... I just think it unifies everyone."
Elsewhere in the conversation, Jennifer explained that she found it difficult to narrow down all of the Christmas songs she wanted to sing.
"Holiday music, at least to me, is sentimental. So, like, The Christmas Song, my grandmother loved this song, so it reminds me of my upbringing and the songs that my grandmother loved or that I used to hear around the house during the holidays," she smiled.
