Hudson Hensley knew from a very young age that he wanted to be in movies.

Earlier this year, he appeared in the lead role in the indie film The Wildman of Shaggy Creek, which has won 24 film festival awards, including Best Young Actor (Los Angeles Film Awards) and Best Child Actor (New York Film Awards) for Hudson.

Hudson sat down with TV Fanatic to discuss his role in the upcoming biographical musical drama, Song Sung Blue, and the experience of playing the son of leads Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.

The interview below has been edited for clarity and length.

Hudson Hensley as Dayna Cartwright in Song Sung Blue

Who do you play in Song Sung Blue?

My character [Dayna Cartwright] is the loving, youngest child of a really chaotic family that is struggling and trying to live out the American dream.

And at the end of the day, he just wants what’s best for his mom, [Claire Sardina played by Kate Hudson]. He’s the sweetheart of the family, I think.

What was the audition process like?

Back in May [2024], I auditioned on a self-tape. Y’know, you do auditions, and then you just forget about it. It is what it is. [laughs] And then, I forgot about it.

Two or three months later, they’re like, “Oh, yeah, we called you back.” And I’m like [stunned expression], “Oh! Awesome! That’s great, I haven’t gotten a callback in a year. Let’s go! Yeah!”

I did the callback. They were really nice. I met the director, Craig Brewer. Amazing, amazing person. And then I didn’t hear back from them for, again, two or three months.

Then they tell me a week before I’m to fly to New Jersey to film, “Oh yeah, we’re coming to pick you up in five days. Make sure you’re packed.” [shocked] ‘Scuse me? What? What did you say?

I had to scramble. “Sorry, Timothy, I cannot go to your birthday party. I need to go film.” [laughs]

The Beginning of Something Surreal

When did you meet the cast?

I go to the camera testing and meet Hugh [Jackman] and Kate. They introduced themselves, and I’m just standing there for like 30 seconds solid. I’m just like [slack-jawed shocked expression] for 30 seconds! Just in awe! They’re such kind people.

We filmed for about three months in New Jersey and New York. Best part about that was that during the weekends, I got to have dinner in Manhattan. And we both know the food there is amazing.

They actually got me a CONDO in New Jersey. I was like, “That’s crazy. I’m being treated like royalty.” I’m a 12-year-old kid at the time. ‘Scuse me, what?

You were only 12 years old when this all happened?

I turned 12 in July, so I did the audition while I was 11. Got the callback [just after] turning 12. Then we filmed. We wrapped right before Christmas last year.

Hitting the Film Festival Circuit

What has it been like touring the film festivals with this movie?

We just recently went to the AFI Film Festival, which was an awesome experience. Song Sung Blue got to be the closer! We got to be the closer at the Chinese Theatre! That was surreal. Walking over, Golden Globe people are saying “Hi” to me, and I’m like, “Dude, what? ‘Scuse me?” Life is wild!

There was a whole red carpet thing where I did a lot of interviews. I saw the film for the first time. I didn’t see it before, saw bits and pieces out of order before it was all set in stone.

Even knowing what was going to happen, I think I cried four times. It’s such a good movie! A great family movie for everybody about the American Dream.

After, we had an afterparty and everybody liked the film. The Golden Globe people liked the film, and I’m like, “Let’s GO!” Then, I bump into SAMUEL L. JACKSON at the thing. He says to me, “I’m a fan of your work.” [STUNNED LOOK] “WHAT?!?”

It was an amazing experience, and I loved it. Every second of it.

Feet On the Ground

With everything that’s happening, how do you stay grounded in real life? Or do you?

Oh, for sure! I have my parents. If I got smart with my parents, that’s not going to go well. My dad was in the military. It’s not going to go well for me at all. I’m so grateful for all of these experiences. I stay grounded because I’m not better than anyone else, I just got to do what I love. You know what I mean?

I come back to all my friends, and they’re all proud of me. I’ve known them since I was five. It’s not that hard for me to stay grounded.

Nothing is Mission: Impossible For Him

You were born in L.A. and then moved to Nashville, where you enrolled in the Nashville Theatre School. When did you first decide you wanted to act?

It was in L.A. I moved to Nashville when I was five or six, but in L.A., [when] I was four or five, just beginning to comprehend what was happening around me and form memories, I see this awesome movie called Mission: Impossible. The first one.

And that’s the movie that [made me say], “I want to do acting.” And my parents were like, “All right. Let’s take it easy.” They were probably talking to each other [saying,] “He’s five. I think this is just a phase.” NOPE.

But they supported me. They got me a manager. I auditioned to get a manager. They really liked me and thought I was good at acting.

[My parents have] been so supportive of me and what I want to do. Literally, they’re the best parents.

Must Love Dogs

What do you do when you aren’t auditioning or filming?

I’m a regular kid: I do do school, believe it or not. I have Nashville Theatre School that I go to, where I take dance classes, voice lessons. I also have a dog-walking business. So I walk dogs in the neighborhood.

It brings me money that I can access because, if you didn’t know, child actors can only access their money from acting when they turn 18. They can’t access it before then.

I love dogs, love animals. I have two big dogs of my own, two pit bull mixes that we rescued.

A Musical Heart

The movie is about music and family. Is it a musical family?

The film centers around the family bond through hard times, persevering. Overall, it’s an underdog story. Hugh and Kate meet through music and then they develop the Neil Diamond tribute band.

Me and Ella Anderson are the kids of Kate Hudson. We’re not musically involved with their band. But as the kids, we go to their shows. They’re our parents, y’know?

So you got to watch them perform as the tribute band in your role as their son?

I got to and it was amazing.

Did seeing them perform inspire you to pursue the musical side of performance? After all, Hugh Jackman IS The Greatest Showman.

He IS The Great Showman. That is true. He’s also The Music Man.

I’ve been playing piano for nine years, so I really, really enjoy music. This was the perfect movie for me. I love classic rock from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s. That’s my music. It was just a wonderful experience.

I got to connect with them, not only through how awesome they are at acting, but through their musical talent. I keep on saying “amazing” but it was truly, truly amazing.

What’s next?

I’m still auditioning, as usual. I’m not scheduled to be on set for anything, but I’m in the mix for some voiceover roles in some movies.

Back in the theater world, I’m doing a production of Beetlejuice JR. at Nashville Theatre School that we’re going to perform in late January.

I’m also in the Performance Company group at Nashville Theatre School where we perform songs and act, picking from different musicals.

We go to JTF, Junior Theater Festival. It’s run by all the people who make the JR. shows. And then we go to TPAC — Tennessee Performing Arts Center — and perform there.

Also, sports. Baseball season and all that stuff too. [I play] middle in-field. So, second base and shortstop.

Song Sung Blue, with Hudson Hensley playing Dayna Cartwright, and starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, opens in theaters on Christmas Day.

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