Throughout his 50-year career, Eddie Murphy has crossed paths with countless Hollywood icons, often sharing memorable stories about legendary figures like Richard Pryor, Michael Jackson, and Frank Sinatra. However, one A-list anecdote remained under wraps until now, involving a quiet moment he witnessed on the set of the 2006 musical film Dreamgirls.
Speaking on the 360 With Speedy podcast, Murphy recounted the story while explaining that the period was a personal challenge, as he was going through a divorce from his wife of 12 years, Nicole Murphy.
“I was kind of on automatic pilot, and I don’t remember a lot of making the movie,” he said. Despite the personal turmoil, Murphy delivered an Oscar-nominated performance as soul singer James “Thunder” Early, starring alongside Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, and Beyoncé, who played a character inspired by Diana Ross.
The previously untold story involves a small, kind gesture between Beyoncé and Hudson, who was then a newcomer and would go on to win a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her debut role. Murphy believes neither woman knows he witnessed the exchange.
“I watched Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé, they were in between shots, they were on stage,” he recalled. He observed Hudson licking her finger to moisturize ashy skin, a habit Beyoncé noticed.
According to Murphy, Beyoncé gently intervened. “She grabbed Hudson and said, ‘Oh girl, don’t do that. I’ll get you some cream,’” he recounted. “It was quiet between the two of them, but I saw it.”
Murphy shared the memory while on a promotional tour for his upcoming Amazon MGM Studios heist comedy, The Pickup, which also stars Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, and Keke Palmer.
