Kate Hudson on TIME's 100 Most Influential People (2026)

[JamesG]

Kate Hudson
by Mindy Kaling (Emmy-nominated actress, writer and producer)


My relationship with Kate Hudson started the way every good Hollywood friendship does: while we were both being ignored at an Oscars party. We were in line for portraits when a very famous person, who I won’t name because I’m classy, cut in front of us. Kate and I exchanged a quick “did that just happen?” look, and I remember thinking, I want to be friends with her.

So naturally, I created an entire show to make that happen. Working together on "Running Point", I grew to admire her more. I always knew she was funny, but I learned her timing comes from a place of humility.

She’s also an incredible dramatic actress who can sing (!), something she proves in Song Sung Blue.




Kate makes being the coolest girl in the room feel effortless, and then, just to keep it interesting, she keeps changing what that means. She doesn’t cling to any one version of herself. She keeps moving, keeps trying things, keeps making it look like a very good idea to trust your instincts and go where the fun is.

And somehow, she makes it all look easy, which is the hardest thing in the world.

https://time.com/collection/100-most...6/kate-hudson/