“I Am Not Scared”: Jennifer Hudson Turns a $95 Million Flop into a Lesson in Resilience

When Cats hit theaters in December 2019, it was meant to be a triumph of musical cinema—a star-studded reimagining of one of Broadway’s most successful productions. Instead, it became one of Hollywood’s most infamous box office failures. But for Jennifer Hudson, who starred as the soulful Grizabella, the experience became something entirely different: a teaching moment for her son, wrapped up in six fearless words—“I am not scared.”

A Promise Amid the Backlash

As the world dissected the film’s missteps, Hudson chose to focus not on the noise, but on the message she wanted to pass to her son, David Daniel Otunga Jr. Her six-word statement was not a denial of disappointment but a declaration of courage—a reminder that setbacks, even public ones, do not define a person’s worth or potential.

Hudson’s mantra, “I am not scared,” became her personal response to a professional low point. It reflected the resilience that has characterized her career since her early American Idol days—when she transformed from a contestant into an Academy Award-winning actor and global music icon.

The Film That Missed Its Mark

Directed by Tom Hooper (Les Misérables, The King’s Speech), Cats arrived with enormous expectations and a production budget hovering around $95 million. But it quickly unraveled. The film grossed just $75.5 million worldwide, falling short of recouping its costs and reportedly leading to losses exceeding $100 million once marketing and distribution were factored in.

Critics were unforgiving, citing the film’s controversial “digital fur technology” as its most glaring flaw. Social media mocked its visual effects, and the movie’s attempt to merge human performers with feline bodies became a textbook case of the uncanny valley—the unsettling space where digital realism feels just off enough to disturb audiences.

The Bright Spot: Hudson’s Performance

Amid the criticism, Jennifer Hudson’s portrayal of Grizabella stood out as the film’s emotional anchor. Her moving rendition of the show’s signature ballad, “Memory,” earned praise even from the harshest reviewers. Many cited her performance as the one element that stayed true to the heart of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original musical—a moment of vulnerability and grace in a film otherwise defined by its technical missteps.

A Cultural Curiosity and a Teachable Moment

The behind-the-scenes scramble only deepened Cats’ infamy. Just two days after its release, Universal Pictures issued a revised version to theaters with “improved visual effects,” an unprecedented move for a major film. Even so, the effort couldn’t rescue its reputation. By the time it swept the 40th Golden Raspberry Awards—winning six Razzies, including Worst Picture—the film’s legacy as a cinematic misfire was cemented.

Yet for Hudson, the experience became something more meaningful. Her ability to rise above the criticism and use it as a life lesson for her son transformed failure into fortitude.

Redefining Failure

“I am not scared” wasn’t just a statement—it was a perspective. It encapsulated the belief that courage doesn’t mean avoiding failure, but facing it with dignity and determination.

Jennifer Hudson’s response to Cats stands as a reminder that even in the shadow of a public disappointment, authenticity and perseverance can outshine the harshest critiques. In an industry that often celebrates success but shies away from failure, Hudson turned a $95 million flop into a powerful affirmation of strength—and a lasting lesson in resilience for her son, and perhaps for everyone watching.