Kate Hudson Reveals How Gwyneth Paltrow Has 'Always' Been There for Her as a Friend (Exclusive)
- - Kate Hudson Reveals How Gwyneth Paltrow Has 'Always' Been There for Her as a Friend (Exclusive)
Gabrielle Rockson, Scott HuverFebruary 17, 2026 at 1:39 AM
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Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson at the 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival: Arlington Artist of the Year Award
Phillip Faraone/Getty
Kate Hudson was presented the Arlington Artist of the Year Award a the Santa Barbara International Film Festival by her friend Gwyneth Paltrow
In an interview with PEOPLE, Hudson described her longtime friendship with the Oscar winner
Hudson is Oscar-nominated for her performance in Song Sung Blue
Kate Hudson is grateful for her longtime friendship with Gwyneth Paltrow.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where the Song Sung Blue actress was awarded the Arlington Artist of the Year Award on Friday, Feb. 13, Hudson, 46, gushed about her bond with Paltrow, 53, who presented her with the honor.
“Oh my gosh. I remember seeing Gwyneth at a store in Los Angeles and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, Gwyneth Paltrow,' "Hudson recalls of fangirling over Paltrow after first running into her.
Hudson adds, “I watched like a crazy fan. I watched all the things she put on, and then I was like, ‘Oh, I'm buying those,’ and I think I bought everything that she bought that day. I was like, ‘I'm just going to get everything she's wearing.' "
The How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days star went on to explain how the pair eventually developed a friendship.
“But yeah, as it happens, we got to know each other throughout the years,” Hudson tells PEOPLE. “We lived in England at the same time, and she was a huge support system for me and my son.”
Kate Hudson and Gwyneth Paltrow at the Arlington Artist Award ceremony during the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Rebecca Sapp/Getty
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Hudson adds that Paltrow is "Auntie Gwyneth" to her three kids — sons Ryder, 22, and Bingham "Bing," 14, as well as daughter Rani, 7. "She's always been there for me, like the most loyal, beautiful friend. And I look up to her," Hudson continues.
The star says her pal is “unapologetically who she is,” adding that she is “as strong as anybody I've ever met, and she's so talented, and seeing her in Marty Supreme made me miss her on film.”
Kate Hudson and Gwyneth Paltrow at the Arlington Artist Award Tribute during the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Tibrina Hobson/Getty
“She's so insanely beautiful. She's such a star, and she's so talented, so I got really excited,” Hudson continues of seeing Paltrow's return to acting in Marty Supreme. “You should ask her if she's going to keep doing it because I want to know the answer.”
The night also saw Paltrow open up about her friendship with Hudson as she presented the Artist of the Year Award to her “little sister.”
Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson at the Arlington Artist Award ceremony during the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Rebecca Sapp/Getty
“I am here because Kate Hudson and I are real, true, old friends,” she said. “We didn’t meet on Glee, but we've known each other for a very long time.” (Both actresses appeared on the hit teen series which ran from 2009 to 2015.)
The actress and businesswoman added, “She's like a little sister to me. I'm much older than she is, but I remember seeing her when she was little.”
“Our parents were friendly, and I remember seeing them. I remember them hugging outside of a restaurant called 72 Market Street in Venice, and being starstruck by her mom, of course,” Paltrow continued in reference to Goldie Hawn.
Paltrow and Hudson both sported pink gowns for the evening. Posing for a photo together, the duo appeared in great spirits as they smiled with one another.
Hudson is nominated at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards for her performance in Song Sung Blue.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
