At some point in Hollywood history, a binary emerged. Actresses were sorted into one of two categories: the popcorn actress or the prestige actress. With Kate Hudson’s Oscar nomination for Song Sung Blue, however, it’s safe to say this idea is patently false.
Hudson’s nomination marks her first nod from the Academy since Almost Famous, the critically and commercially successful film that put Hudson on the map (outside of being Goldie Hawn’s daughter, of course). Her portrayal of Penny Lane made her a household name, a style icon, and an instant It girl of the ’00s. Now, 25 years later, Hudson is among the Academy’s 2026 best-actress nominees alongside Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), and Emma Stone (Bugonia).
Among her formidable peers, it’s probably safe to say that Hudson is the most well-known actor of the bunch. Her A-list status is owed to Almost Famous as well as more mainstream projects like 2003’s How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, a classic rom-com in which she stars opposite Matthew McConaughey, and 2009’s Bride Wars, a surprisingly sentimental story about love and friendship she filmed alongside Anne Hathaway. Coupled with savvy business ventures (she cofounded Fabletics at the dawn of the athleisure boom) and campaigns (Almay, Skims) as well as a healthy media presence, Hudson has been nearly inescapable for the better part of the millennium. As her star grew bigger and brighter, however, her chances at serious awards recognition seemed to dim.
Before Song Sung Blue, Hudson’s most recent project was Running Point on Netflix. The actor shines as Isla Gordon, a reformed party girl turned basketball team