Kate Hudson Says She Was Told to ‘Divorce’ Her Parents Before Her Big Break in Party of Five
🎬 Before Fame: Kate Hudson Opens Up About Pressure to ‘Divorce’ Her Parents for Hollywood Roles
At the inaugural Newport Beach TV Fest, actress Kate Hudson made a candid revelation that stunned fans and industry insiders alike. During a live taping of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, the 46-year-old shared that she was once encouraged to emancipate from her parents — Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson — just to land more work in Hollywood.
“I had gotten this part, and they wanted me to basically divorce my parents so I could work as an adult,” she recalled.
But her mother, iconic actress Goldie Hawn, stood firm.
“My mom was like, ‘No – never happening,’” Kate added, laughing.
Thankfully, a turning point soon arrived: she landed a guest role on the hit teen drama Party of Five, marking her first official acting credit — and avoiding what could’ve been a drastic personal decision.
🎭 A Dream Role on Party of Five and a Star in the Making
At just 16 years old, Kate was thrilled to join the beloved Fox series, which followed the lives of the five Salinger siblings after the tragic death of their parents. Kate played Cory, a coworker of Justin, portrayed by Michael Goorjian, during Season 2.
“He was so sweet, so kind. It was my first role ever,” she said.
“It was like two days of shooting. I missed school, and my mom actually let me do it. I was obsessed with Party of Five, so walking onto that set felt surreal.”
Her brief role left a lasting impression — both for her as a young actress, and for fans who’ve followed her career ever since.
👨👩👧 Navigating Fame with Famous Parents
Despite the early pressure to distance herself from her celebrity roots, Kate Hudson has remained deeply connected to her mother, while maintaining a complicated relationship with her biological father, Bill Hudson.
After Goldie and Bill’s divorce in 1982, Hawn began dating longtime partner Kurt Russell, who became a father figure to Kate and her brother, Oliver Hudson.
Though she’s often praised for her Hollywood pedigree, Kate explained that she turned down a role in one of Kurt Russell’s films to avoid being seen as relying on her family’s success.
“I didn’t want my career to be defined by my parents,” she told the audience.
Her determination to forge her own path became a central theme in her journey.
👩👧 Embracing the Mother-Daughter Bond
While fame has its pressures, Kate and Goldie have cultivated a deep, genuine bond — one that transcends the spotlight. Goldie Hawn reflected on this connection during an interview with Kelly Ripa on Let’s Talk Off Camera:
“I told her, ‘Yes, people are going to ask about me — and I’m going to talk about you one day too. And that’s okay. Because I’m going to be Katie’s mother. And that’s pretty cool.’”
Kate herself echoed that sentiment in a past interview with the Los Angeles Times, revealing:
“I live seven blocks from my mom now, and she comes over every day.”
🌟 From Hollywood Legacy to Independent Icon
Kate Hudson has long since stepped out of the shadow of her famous parents to become an accomplished actress, entrepreneur, and voice of authenticity in a business that rarely rewards vulnerability.
Her story isn’t just one of stardom — it’s one of self-discovery, resilience, and staying true to family values in an industry that often demands otherwise.
As her career continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: Kate Hudson did it her way — without having to “divorce” the ones she loves.
