Jennifer on Playing a Bad Girl in 'Mister & Pete'

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Former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson proved her acting chops by winning an Oscar in her big screen debut in the 2006 musical Dreamgirls. Now Jennifer is opening up about her latest role in the gritty drama The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, in which she plays a troubled young mother from the inner city.

"Gloria is so different and so far from me, and I was so detached from such an intimidating role," Jennifer said about her portrayal of her hard-living character. "All the tattoos going down my neck... I'm the type of girl who would never get a tattoo, and it's like now Gloria has these tattoos, and piercings and haircut, and she's just this edgy girl."

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The movie tells the story of two young children from a Brooklyn housing project who must fend for themselves on the streets after their mother (Hudson) is arrested. Faced with major obstacles while dodging child protective services, 13-year-old Mister (Skylan Brooks) and his nine-year-old brother Pete (Ethan Dizon) take on the world against seemingly insurmountable odds.

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete -- which also stars singer/actress Jordin Sparks, Source Code star Jeffrey Wright, Hunted actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Runner Runner's Anthony Mackie -- hits theaters October 11.

VIDEO: Jennifer Hudson Spoofs Kerry Washington

Watch the video for more, including an update on Jennifer's four-year-old son David Otunga, Jr.