Hudson Hensley is Doing It All
Staring alongside Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman in the new film SONG SUNG BLUE!, young actor Hudson Hensley is making a name for himself in Hollywood. From taking part in several acting endeavors to volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House and the Humane Society, running his own dog walking business, and learning multiple languages Hensley is doing it all. To learn more about Hudson Hensley and his upcoming roles, read on.
Where are you based?
I am based in Nashville, TN.
What inspired you to start acting?
When I was five years old, I watched the first Mission Impossible movie. I was in awe of Tom Cruise’s performance in the movie and decided I wanted to be an actor some day.
Congratulations on your new film “SONG SUNG BLUE!” Can you tell us about this film?
“Song Sung Blue” is a film based on a true story about a Neil Diamond tribute band from Milwaukee. The film is centered around two performers who follow their dreams and persevere through hardships. It is a powerful and heartfelt story that I think will inspire anyone who watches it.
Can you tell us a bit about what we can expect to see from your character in this film?
My character Dayna is the son of Claire, played by the incredible Kate Hudson, and the stepson of Mike, played by the amazing Hugh Jackman. Dayna is also the loving younger brother to Rachel, played by Ella Anderson. He is a caring and compassionate boy who wants the best for his family.
Your character in “SONG SUNG BLUE” is the biggest role you’ve had in your career so far. What was the most challenging part about playing this character?
Since Dayna’s character was modeled after someone in real life, I really wanted to do the character justice by capturing his true personality. I also wanted to live up to Dayna’s expectations for the role. It was challenging at first to portray his emotions, but it was easier to interpret these emotions once I had the opportunity to spend time with him, which was really special.
You starred alongside Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman for “SONG SUNG BLUE.” What is your favorite memory on set?
On the night of the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson fight, which happened during the time we were filming the movie, we were wrapping up a late night of filming. In between takes, Hugh got an ice cream and Hugh, Kate, and I watched the fight and shared the same ice cream! They were cracking jokes and we were all laughing. It is a fun memory that I will cherish forever.
You were recently in another film titled “The Wildman of Shaggy Creek.” How does your acting process differ across genres?
For “The Wildman of Shaggy Creek,” which is a fictional family adventure movie, I used improvisation techniques more often. The tone of the film is lighthearted and fun, so I was able to play around with my performance and explore different sides of this brand-new character. Because the story centers around younger characters, I was in my comfort zone and I could match their energy. “Song Sung Blue,” on the other hand, is a real-life adaptation, so my approach had to be different. I needed to stay authentic to the person I was portraying, which meant making intentional choices.
Do you have a favorite genre to act in?
I actually don’t have a favorite, yet. I enjoy acting in all sorts of genres and love exploring new ones.
You are a polyglot, or working to become one. What languages do you currently speak and what sparked this interest?
I am currently studying and working towards becoming fluent in Mandarin and Spanish. My dad speaks German, English, and Spanish fluently. He taught me the value of learning new languages at a young age, and since then I have fallen in love with the process.
You run a dog walking company - H3 Legit Leashes. Can you tell us a little bit about this company and what inspired it?
I have always had a love for animals, specifically dogs. One day, I thought, “What better way to use my time than doing something I love while also making a profit?” That’s when I decided to start my dog walking business. I currently have nine pet clients that I walk on a daily or weekly basis. I also offer dog-sitting services, where I will check on the dogs while their owners are out of town. It is so much fun.
You volunteer at the Humane Society, a nonprofit focused on animal welfare. What are some of the tasks you dedicate your time to doing at this nonprofit? Why is this nonprofit important to you? Is this what triggered your business?
I have volunteered at the Humane Society, playing with the dogs that have been rescued from kill shelters. My little sister and I read to the puppies and played with them. Although this nonprofit is not what triggered my business, it is important to me because it values animal safety and shelters dogs in a humane way. I believe that all animals, no matter their background, deserve the best treatment, and the Humane Society values this as well.
You also volunteer at Ronald McDonald House, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families with sick children in times of need. Can you tell us a bit more about this organization and how you’re involved? What inspired you to start volunteering your time there?
The Ronald McDonald House gives resources and housing to families who have sick children and need care. My family and I have helped out by making lunches for the families staying there and dropping off other supplies. Since my dad served in the military, my whole family values service, which led us to want to start volunteering. I was inspired to volunteer at that specific nonprofit because my family had a connection to another family who needed their support.
What advice do you have for young kids looking to get started in acting?
I would advise young actors to follow their dreams and keep believing in themselves, even when others don’t. Actors starting out, especially younger actors with little experience, can have trouble getting recognition for the first few years of auditioning. It is important to remember that you are always one role away from becoming a huge actor. In my personal experience, I reached a point where I had spent five years auditioning and had only gotten three local commercials. I felt discouraged and I wanted to give up. At first, I did not want to attempt the audition for “Song Sung Blue,” but my mother encouraged me to keep trying. I ended up getting the role! This is why I would encourage young actors to never give up.
Are there any upcoming projects you are currently working on that we should be on the lookout for?
I have some really exciting things coming up soon for Song Sung Blue, like the New York City premier, but I am still taking auditions as usual. I am on hold for a few TV and voiceover opportunities. In addition to that, I have a lot of things going on with my theater group. I will be performing in Beetlejuice, Jr. in late January. I am also part of the performance company for my theater, and we will be performing at the Junior Theater Festival and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
It has been a crazy few years, and we expect at least four more. How have you been staying positive?
I have had a busy few years filled with new acting opportunities, school, sports, theater, running my dog-walking business, and much more. I have been able to experience so much at such a young age thanks to the support of my parents. I am so grateful to be able to do everything that I truly love so it is easy to stay positive.
What is your motto in life?
My life motto is: “Everything happens for a reason.” My parents have taught me to see everything in life as a blessing. I believe if something doesn’t happen, it wasn’t meant to be. This is a helpful mindset to have as an actor because it gives me confidence knowing that everything will happen like it’s supposed to, even when an audition doesn’t work out.
To learn more about Hudson Hensley, please check out the links below:
Instagram: @thehudsonhensley
Photography by Conor Clayton Photography
