Eddie Murphy has opened up about a personal and unexpected memory involving Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson during the filming of the 2006 hit musical Dreamgirls — a moment he says he’s never shared publicly until now.
Speaking on the latest episode of 360 With Speedy, the legendary comedian and actor was prompted to reflect on his time working alongside some of music’s most iconic names. When asked for his most vivid Beyoncé memory, Murphy didn’t hesitate to take listeners back nearly two decades, to a day on set that quietly stayed with him.
“I did Dreamgirls right when I was getting divorced,” Murphy began, referencing his split from Nicole Murphy, who filed for divorce in 2005 after 12 years of marriage. The period, he admitted, was personally challenging, and much of the film’s production passed by in a blur.
“I was kind of on automatic pilot,” he explained. “I don’t remember a lot about making the movie.”
Despite the haze of that time in his life, there was one small, human moment that stood out vividly — and, until now, was known only to him.
“My Beyoncé memory — and neither one of them knows that I know this — I watched Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé,” Murphy recalled with a chuckle. “They were in between shots, they were on stage, and Jennifer was new in show business.”
He then painted the scene with comedic precision. Hudson, then fresh off her breakout success on American Idol, had been standing casually between takes when Murphy noticed a small, ordinary detail:
“She had, I guess, a finger… right between… was ashy,” he said, reenacting the motion for his interviewer. “She was licking her fingers and getting the ash like that.”
It was then that Beyoncé, already a seasoned superstar and global style icon, stepped in with a mix of warmth and quiet mentorship.
Eddie Murphy Shares Unseen Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson Moment From ‘Dreamgirls’ Set
“Ooh girl, don’t do that. I’ll get you some cream,” Murphy recalled Beyoncé telling Hudson, gently pulling her aside.
According to Murphy, the exchange happened in a subtle, almost private way — no big scene, no attention drawn. “It was quiet between the two of them, but I saw it,” he said, grinning at the memory.
That moment, Murphy said, summed up something about Beyoncé’s personality that fans don’t always get to see. It wasn’t about costumes, lights, or performances — it was about a simple, caring gesture between two artists at different stages of their careers.
“And this might be the first time I share that with anyone,” Murphy added. “That’s my Beyoncé memory.”
For fans of the movie, Dreamgirls remains one of the defining cinematic celebrations of music and ambition. Directed by Bill Condon, the film was adapted from the Broadway musical of the same name and centered on the meteoric rise of a 1960s girl group, loosely inspired by The Supremes.
The cast featured a mix of powerhouse singers and accomplished actors. Beyoncé starred as Deena Jones, a character whose poised and glamorous image mirrored aspects of Diana Ross’s career trajectory. Jennifer Hudson played Effie White, the group’s original lead singer whose big voice and fiery spirit became central to the story. Anika Noni Rose portrayed Lorrell Robinson, the third member of the group, while Jamie Foxx took on the role of ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr., and Danny Glover played veteran music executive Marty Madison.
For Hudson, Dreamgirls proved to be a career-defining role. Her performance earned widespread critical acclaim, culminating in an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. For Beyoncé, the project showcased her acting chops alongside her musical talent, cementing her versatility as a performer.
Murphy’s own role as soul singer James “Thunder” Early earned him some of the strongest reviews of his career, along with a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Despite his earlier comment about being on “automatic pilot” during filming, his portrayal of Early was widely praised for its charisma, humor, and emotional depth.
In the years since its release, Dreamgirls has retained its reputation as a beloved musical drama, celebrated both for its music and the chemistry among its stars. Yet Murphy’s newly revealed anecdote offers a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the more personal connections forged during production.
His recollection of Beyoncé’s small but caring gesture toward a then-rookie Hudson highlights the camaraderie and unspoken mentorship that can happen on set — moments that may never make it into a film’s press tour or DVD extras, but which stick in the memories of those who witness them.
Murphy, known for his sharp wit and knack for storytelling, managed to share the anecdote with both humor and affection, showing how even Hollywood icons have their ordinary, relatable moments. In this case, it wasn’t about red carpets or headline performances — just a quick, almost unnoticed interaction that quietly revealed character.
As Murphy put it, “That’s my Beyoncé memory.” And for fans, it’s one more reason to love both the singer’s grace and Hudson’s early humility, preserved forever in the mind of one of comedy’s greatest storytellers.
Source- geotv
