In the Perfect Place: Discovering Kate Hudson’s Ideal Journey

In a laid-back conversation, Kate Hudson, known for her role in The Knives Out 2: Glass Onion, opens up about new adventures, familiar characters, and why she considers her forties to be the highlight of her life. Hudson shares with a straight face that her nickname is Birdie, prompting a realization that our cover shoot with the talented 43-year-old actress is sprinkled with captivating coincidences. For Hudson, the name “Birdie” holds a triple significance – it is a term of endearment in her family, a homophone that aligns with the publication she is appearing in, and the unforgettable character she portrays. Throughout the day, the word “Birdie” emerges repeatedly – gleaming in golden cursive on the necklace adorning Hudson’s neck as a nod to her childhood, appearing in props we have brought from our office, and being spoken of in relation to her latest role as a fashion mogul, who coincidentally bears the same name, in the film Glass Onion.

Makeup preferences can truly transform a look, and for Hudson, her go-to products are the MAC Strobe Cream and MAC Pro Face Palette. During a recent photoshoot, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of serendipity. By a stroke of luck, the photographer, Jonny Marlow, happened to have grown up just a few miles away from Hudson in Colorado. The pair hadn’t crossed paths since their early days in Aspen over 30 years ago, making their reunion on set even more special. The shared history between them created an instant connection, resulting in a comfortable and holiday-like ambiance for the entire project. It wasn’t just the glitzy-golden backdrop that contributed to this warm feeling—it was the genuine familiarity between Hudson and Marlow.

Reflecting on their encounter during a later interview conducted over Zoom, Hudson mentions the abundance of inside jokes on set. One of them being the term “birdie,” which seemed to be everywhere during the shoot. With a smile, she recalls the light-hearted moments shared with Marlow. In that moment, Hudson’s cool and relaxed demeanor is evident. Sporting an updo and a loose button-down, she exudes ease. She reveals that her girlfriends are in the next room, casually hanging out—the perfect atmosphere after a long day of nonstop promotion for her latest film.

However, don’t mistake Hudson’s laid-back demeanor for an indifference towards the experience. In reality, she remains down-to-earth and focuses more on her family and career choices rather than making grand statements about life and art. While she still possesses the charm of a movie star, Hudson’s grounded nature shines through, making her an approachable and relatable individual.

Outfit: Created by Atelier Biser; Footwear: Designed by Roger Vivier; Earrings: Crafted by Lele Sadoughi

Ever since my mom introduced my dad, Kurt Russell, to me, he has affectionately called me Birdie. I was only three years old when they first met, and from that moment on, the nickname stuck. This nickname perfectly captures my vibrant energy, contagious laughter, and graceful movements reminiscent of a bird in flight. In fact, my background in dance enhances my fluidity and elegance. Throughout my career, I have always exuded a sense of optimism and positivity, which has allowed me to excel in portraying endearing and at times whimsical characters. However, in my upcoming project, Glass Onion, audiences will finally witness a glimpse of the darker side within me.

Introducing Byrdie’s exclusive After-Dark Issue, a celebration of holiday glamour, carefree fun, and just a touch of extravagance. This is the perfect opportunity to delve into Kate Hudson’s remarkable transformation from rom-com darling to a leading figure in a sharp-witted satire, as she takes on the role of a down-and-out party girl. Join us as we explore more about Byrdie’s captivating cover star, including her mixed emotions about achieving “balance,” her reasons for taking on side projects, and why she believes her forties are the most fulfilling phase of her life.

From an outsider’s perspective, Hudson’s involvement in the highly anticipated sequel, Glass Onion, of the wildly popular film Knives Out seems like destiny. In this film, she portrays Birdie, a charmingly delusional former magazine editor who reinvents herself as a confident entrepreneur in her sweatpants. It’s a role that harkens back to Hudson’s fashion-forward roots (remember Andie from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days?). Moreover, it serves as a playful commentary on the world of today’s seemingly endless celebrity and influencer-led brands, where some find success while others appear unnecessary.

Hudson herself was among the pioneers of this trend, having launched her athleisure line, Fabletics, back in 2013, long before being an actress-turned-entrepreneur became a common career path. However, her character’s company in Glass Onion falls into the latter category, but we’ll delve into that later.

When Knives Out hit the theaters in 2019, it revived a seemingly faded genre: the murder mystery. Director and writer Rian Johnson successfully infused the traditional formula with fresh energy, incorporating elements of class consciousness, biting satire, and contemporary pacing, reminiscent of the mid-century Agatha Christie films. Even the brilliant detective, played by Daniel Craig, traded the classic English accent for a charming Louisiana drawl. Audiences adored it. Riding on the wave of critical acclaim and increased streaming numbers, Netflix swiftly ordered two sequels. Little did they know that the film industry would soon face the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Nevertheless, the Knives Out team adapted to the circumstances, embracing the current reality with a COVID bubble premise for both on and off-set operations.

Makeup: MAC Strobe Cream; MAC Pro Face Palette
Glass Onion
introduces a fresh ensemble cast, with the exception of Daniel Craig returning as Benoit Blanc, who brings an electrifying star power that rivals the first film. For Hudson, it felt like being part of her “dream theater troupe,” and it’s easy to see why. The movie’s IMDB page reads like a greatest hits album of character actors, with names like Edward Norton (playing a tech billionaire with less intelligence than he appears), Janelle Monáe (stealing scenes as his bitter ex-business partner), and Kathryn Hahn as a tightly wound mother and politician (who always seems just one margarita away from a breakdown), among other vibrant characters. Filming a story about a group of friends (or rather, frenemies) escaping to a stunning private island in the Mediterranean during a pandemic, while being confined to a COVID movie set on the Greek island of Spetses and a sound stage in Serbia, has a magical theatrical quality to it.

To pass the time during long days of filming, the cast embraced the theme during their leisure time. “We couldn’t do much. We were in this hotel [in Serbia], so once a weekend, we would take over the top floor of the restaurant,” says Hudson. And in a case of art imitating life, they turned to murder mystery games to unwind. “We played Mafia and drank,” she laughs. “It’s a great way to get to know each other.”

But it wasn’t just the refreshing ocean breeze and the camaraderie among the small cast that made this project special for Hudson. She praises the clever writing and directing, which provided her with substantial material to work with. “Rian is an incredibly talented filmmaker who clearly comments on the current state of our world through his writing. Like all of us, he believes that murder mysteries should reflect that.” While Hudson modestly speaks highly of her director, I’ll do some bragging for her: her portrayal of the troubled party girl, Birdie, is truly one of the film’s highlights. As Hudson puts it, “you can’t help but enjoy the madness of these characters,” especially hers.

Clothing items such as the dress, tights, gloves, and shoes in the movie were designed by Versace and Paul Andrew respectively. The character Birdie, played by Kate Hudson, is portrayed as someone who is completely unaware of the events happening in the world. Despite being narcissistic and privileged, Hudson managed to bring depth to the character by showing her desire for validation and love. This innocent charm adds a redeeming quality to Birdie’s character arc. As expected in a Kate Hudson film, fashion plays a significant role. Hudson has always had a passion for clothing and fashion, and believes that fashion and film are closely intertwined. She is thrilled to see this connection being embraced on film sets again, as seen in “Glass Onion.”

Makeup: MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline Eyeliner Gel; MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
“When I initially started, everything was extremely personalized. But then, suddenly, I realized that they were simply selecting clothing items from the racks.” Apart from dominating Instagram advertisements and being widely searched on Google, fast fashion had infiltrated movie sets in the 2010s, resulting in a more “generic” appearance, as Hudson describes it. However, when she arrived on the set of Glass Onion, the costume team, led by Jenny Eagan, greeted her with bold shapes, vibrant colors, and meticulously crafted fabrics.
“I could sense that we were about to truly embrace and individually tailor Birdie,” says Hudson, her eyes lighting up. It is clearly a point of passion for Hudson in the creative process, which is evident in both the roles she chooses and her enduring legacy as an actress. In Glass Onion, Birdie’s clothes become a significant aspect of the story, as Hudson twirls in a rainbow-colored silk dress, resembling a ’70s Halston beauty, right before the night takes a turn. Hudson also appreciates the subtle details, such as Kathryn Hahn’s costume direction, which she considers as one of her favorites. She loves that each character exists in their own unique fashion world, with distinct color palettes and textures.