Hollywood star Kate Hudson has publicly addressed the controversy engulfing her latest film, after being pulled into a bitter family dispute. The actress and her co-star Hugh Jackman found themselves at the centre of a toxic civil war related to the box office hit Song Sung Blue.
The Source of the Family Feud
The film features Hudson and Jackman playing real-life Milwaukee-based couple Mike and Claire Sardina, who were famous as Neil Diamond tribute act Lightning and Thunder in the 1990s. The trouble began when Mike Sardina's real son, Michael 'Mike' Sardina Jr, gave an exclusive interview to the Daily Mail. He made serious allegations, claiming the biopic was 'all lies' and that he had been 'purposely cut out of the film' despite being paid to act as a consultant during its production.
Hudson's Cautious Response
After weeks of silence, the 46-year-old actress has now responded to the escalating situation. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published on Thursday, Hudson chose her words carefully, showing deference to the creative team behind the project.
'Honestly, I don’t even know — out of respect for our filmmakers, I’m not the right person to speak to it,' Hudson stated. Her comment highlights the delicate position actors can find themselves in when portraying real people, especially when behind-the-scenes conflicts emerge publicly.
Implications for the Blockbuster
This public family rift casts a new shadow over the successful film, illustrating the complex challenges of adapting true stories for the big screen. While Song Sung Blue continues to perform well at the box office, the allegations from the Sardina family present a significant public relations issue. Hudson's decision to deflect questions back to the filmmakers is a common tactic, but it leaves the core accusations from Michael Sardina Jr unanswered by the project's most public faces.
The situation serves as a stark reminder that biopics can reopen old wounds and create new conflicts, even when they achieve commercial success. The focus now may shift to how the film's directors and producers respond to these very personal claims of misrepresentation.
