Kate Hudson: The Q Interview

Kate Hudson, 23, grew up on a Colorado ranch with her mother Goldie Hawn and her stepfather Kurt Russell. After making her film debut in Desert Blue, her big break came playing groupie Penny Lane in Almost Famous, which won her an Oscar nomination. Her new film is a remake of the period war epic The Four Feathers. Hudson and her husband, Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson, divide their time between New York and Los Angeles.

Did you struggle perfecting your British accent for this film?

I worked really hard. I get so mad when people don't work hard on their accents. I want to know the jaw movements and the tongue movements. It's important to let go of hearing yourself when you're learning a new accent. My English friends were no help at all, because they all sounded Cockney to me!

As an actress, do you feel a lot of pressure because your mother is Goldie Hawn?

No, I don't feel any pressure. I just sort of let that go. We're different people, and I know there will be comparisons, but there's nothing I can do about it.

Are you klutzy like she is?

No, I'm not klutzy at all! I try to be as graceful as I can possibly be.

Many people thought you were going to win the Oscar for your role as Penny Lane in Almost Famous. Were you disappointed?

No, but I felt so bad because I received so many calls telling me: "I lost money in Vegas." I'm like: "That's not my fault!" But you know, my dad, Kurt, said: "Congratulations, honey, you can have a career in Hollywood." What he meant was that was such a huge honour, and that my career is what was important. So, I feel blessed that I can do what I love to do.

Are you recognised when you go out?

Sometimes, yeah. But not so much in New York where I live. There was this one time I was walking back to my apartment with Chris. Out of nowhere, this 15-year-old girl ran by and, like, looked at us. I thought maybe she recognised Chris, because she seemed kind of hippish. Then a couple of minutes later, she came running back with a sunflower and handed it to me and said: "Thank you so much." Then she ran away. That's what Almost Famous does to people. That was so cool.

You reached fame at such a young age. How do you cope?

In a weird kind of way, I was always famous, because I was Goldie and Kurt's little girl. When people rate their success by how much they are in magazines, that's sad. Why can't it be about making good movies? Or being a mother? My parents aren't like that. My dad, Kurt, he's so not a Hollywood guy. And he's been an actor since he was nine years old.

What has been the best thing about being married?

Him. Everything. My friend got married last week, and I told her, watch the minute you wake up, you will feel different. I can't explain it. I get kind of disappointed in people who don't take marriage seriously. You shouldn't make the decision rashly. For us, we will never think of not being with each other. I'm done. I am happy. I can't wait to grow old. I can't wait to retire.

What do you like doing in your time off?

Being a wife to my hubby, taking care of him.

Was that what you were doing when you took a year off from making films?

Yeah, that was when I learned what it's like to be married. I learned how much I love providing for my husband - something I will always cherish, even when I'm working. I love being able to be a wife, make dinners and invite friends over and be able to make it all nice for him. It's a nice thing for a man to feel that, and for me to feel that I can give that.

Was it hard taking time off?

Well, I was so happy being with Chris and we just didn't want to leave each other. We just didn't want to do it. My mum said "Honey, please do yourself a favour and go be a wife for a year." Those were her exact words, and she said: "It will be the best thing that you ever do, because you can establish your relationship with your husband and when your lives do get really crazy, it's not happening right when you're first married. It's when you've already established your marriage."

Do you remember the first time you were called Mrs Robinson?

It's so funny, Mrs Robinson - it's from The Graduate. It makes me laugh. When we stay in a hotel, they call me Mrs Robinson. When I was presenting an Oscar they timed it so when I left the stage they played "Mrs Robinson" and Dustin Hoffman walked in. I remember thinking, was that planned? That was brilliant.

'The Four Feathers' opens this week