Kate Hudson addresses the controversy surrounding his latest film as off-screen drama threatens to overshadow on-screen success.
After remaining silent at first, the actress has now responded to a real-life character’s explosive claims tied to the story behind “Song Sung Blue.”
The remarks sparked a debate about artistic license, family wounds and responsibility when real life inspires. Hollywood the narration.
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Kate Hudson caught in real family firestorm
The reaction broke out after a Daily Mail interview with Michael “Mike” Sardina Jr., the real son of musician Mike Sardina, whose life inspired the film. Hudson stars alongside Hugh Jackman in the film.
The couple stars as Mike and his wife Claire Sardina, Milwaukee-based Neil Diamond tribute artists who rose to local fame in the 1990s as Lightning And Thunder.
Michael Jr. alleged that the biopic distorted the truth, saying it was all “lies” and that he was “intentionally left out of the film” despite being paid to consult on it.
His frustration intensified when he accused the film’s stars of erasing his existence during promotional interviews.
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The monster’s claim that sparked outrage
In his interview, Michael Jr. didn’t hold back, directing his anger squarely at Hudson and Jackman.
He said, “All the interviews with these monsters on national television don’t even mention my existence, even though I was the most predominant force in my father’s life, even when I wasn’t in Wisconsin, because I’m his only son. »
He added: “They didn’t even try to contact me… They didn’t try to get more information… They very easily could have asked Craig [Brewer]”.
The remark sparked a heated debate online, with fans split between defending the actors and sympathizing for a son who felt left out in the telling of his family’s history.
For a while, Hudson remained silent as speculation swirled about how deeply the accusations had shaken the production.
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Kate Hudson carefully breaks her silence
Today, Hudson finally addressed the controversy, choosing her words carefully.
Talk to The Hollywood Reporter In an interview published Thursday, she declined to respond directly to the accusations.
She said: “I honestly don’t even know – out of respect for our filmmakers, I’m not the right person to talk about it. »
His response demonstrates an effort to redirect attention to the creative team rather than inflaming a deeply personal conflict.
Rather than refuting the claims or offering her own interpretation of events, Hudson positions herself as an interpreter who respects the boundaries of the project.
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Kate Hudson balances praise and backlash
Despite the controversy, Hudson’s performance was widely praised. This week, she earned a surprise nomination at the SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.
She joins a competitive field that includes Jessie Buckley for “Hamnet,” Rose Byrne for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Chase Infinity for “One Battle After Another” and Emma Stone for “Bugonia.”
“Song Sung Blue,” written and directed by Craig Brewer, debuted on Christmas Day to a $7 million opening weekend.
The film has since grossed $26,743,920 domestically and $4,965,000 internationally, reaching a worldwide total of $31,708,920.
The cast includes Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, Mustafa Shakir, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi.
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As the film continues its theatrical run, Hudson’s restrained response highlights the fragile line between storytelling and lived experience, particularly when unresolved grief collides with public narratives and the unforgiving glare of celebrity culture.
The True Family Story Behind “Song Sung Blue”
The actual dynamics behind the film are complex. Michael Jr. is Mike Sardina’s son from his second marriage to Diane Annunziata. When Mike married Claire in 1994, it was his third marriage, bringing together families that included Michael Jr., his sister Angelina, and Claire’s two children from a previous relationship, Rachel and Dayna.
Tragedy changed the family’s lives in 1999 when Claire was hit by a disoriented driver while gardening, resulting in her leg being amputated below the knee. The accident ended Lightning and Thunder’s acting career, forcing Mike to work as an auto mechanic and handyman.
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Mike Sardina later died on July 27, 2006, at the age of 55, from a severe brain hemorrhage caused by a fall at his home in Milwaukee. He fell into a coma and died a few days later, leaving behind a complex legacy now revived thanks to cinema.