Kate Hudson Responds After Being Called a ‘Monster’ by Real-Life Son of Song Sung Blue Musician

Kate Hudson is addressing criticism surrounding her new film Song Sung Blue.

Written and directed by Craig Brewer, the movie tells the story of real-life Neil Diamond cover band Lightning & Thunder — the Milwaukee musical duo Mike and Claire Sardina — played by Hugh Jackman and Hudson, 46.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hudson reacted to comments from Mike’s son, Michael Sardina Jr., who claimed in a recent Daily Mail interview that the biopic is “all lies” and that he was “purposely cut out of the film” after being paid to consult on it.

“Honestly, I don’t even know — out of respect for our filmmakers, I’m not the right person to speak to it,” Hudson told THR.

Michael Jr. and his sister Angelina Sardina became step-siblings to Claire’s two children, Rachel and Dayna, when Claire and Mike married in 1994. Mike died in 2006, two years before the couple’s 17-year career and 12-year marriage was profiled in Greg Kohs’ documentary Song Sung Blue.

While Angelina, Rachel and Dayna are portrayed in Brewer’s adaptation (by King Princess, Ella Anderson and Hudson Hensley, respectively), Michael Jr. appears in neither the narrative film nor the documentary.

In his Daily Mail interview, Michael Jr. said his father would be “rolling in his grave right now,” and criticized Hudson and Jackman, 57, for not contacting him to “try to get more information” about Mike.

“Every interview that those monsters have been on national television don’t even mention my existence at all, even though I was the most prevalent force in my father’s life,” he claimed.

Hudson, however, reiterated to The Hollywood Reporter that she spent time with Claire Sardina while preparing for the role and said Claire is pleased with the finished movie.

“I got to know Claire, who’s such a wonderful woman, and she’s so happy with the movie,” Hudson said.

Hudson also reflected on the awards nominations she has received for her performance. Comparing the current attention to her Oscar-nominated breakout in 2000’s Almost Famous, she said the experience feels different now — and motivating.

The current buzz, she added, is “inspiring,” and has her excited about what she wants to do next. “You’re always only one part away from the experience reinvigorating itself,” Hudson said.

Song Sung Blue is in theaters now. Hudson’s other upcoming projects include the second season of her Netflix comedy series Running Point, expected this spring.