Jennifer Hudson Puts on Her Party Pants as She Teams with Old Navy for Festive Holiday Campaign (Exclusive)

Jennifer Hudson and Old Navy are teaming up to help you dress up this holiday season!

On Oct. 24, the EGOT winner and global clothing and accessories brand unveiled its “Love is in the House” campaign, starring Hudson as the ultimate host, while family, friends and even Magic the Dog from Old Navy dress up in everything from glamor to Jingle Jammies (aka holiday pjs) to celebrate the holidays together.

This is the right moment for the talk show host, she tells PEOPLE exclusively.

“Old Navy has always been one of my favorite places to shop and I’ve always loved their holiday ads. I mean, what greater traditions are there than holiday traditions? That’s why Old Navy has always resonated with me. Now being in one and partnering with them is a dream,” says Hudson.

Jennifer Hudson stars in Old Navy’s Love is in the House campaign.

Courtesy of Old Navy

Fun fact: The star, 43, snuck into Old Navy a few weeks ago to stock up on jeans. “It’s just great for my life and my lifestyle,” she says. And holiday clothes are her favorite, she adds.

In the campaign, Hudson slays her hosting duties in a fitted velvet top, shiny high-waisted Rockstar jeans and a faux fur zip-up jacket. “Congratulations on that [outfit] is a great representative of me, it is why I’m an Old Navy customer,” says Hudson.

“Have you seen my little velvet top? And the jeans, they were everything,” quips Hudson. But the jacket was such a hit with the star that she took it home. “I’ll be wearing it over the holidays, so look for me in it,” she says.

Hudson, whose son David turned 15 in August, also appreciates “salty moments” and the comfortable clothes that come with them. “Yes, we’re glam for the holidays, but we also love that feeling of sitting by the fireplace in our pajamas with little blankets.”

Luckily for Hudson, Old Navy has both, and everything in between, from embellished and metallic denim to formal sweaters, puffer coats and zip-up fleeces.

Old Navy’s Love is in the House campaign.

Courtesy of Old Navy

The campaign is set to none other than Hudson’s performance of “Winter Wonderland” from her recently released holiday album A gift of love.

“From seeing commercials to my holiday album being used in one, it’s beyond surreal,” says Hudson of hearing her version of the song in the Old Navy video.

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Equally unreal: Hudson’s album will be sold at select Old Navy stores in the four cities Hudson is touring to support it: Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York City.

“To think that I can go to Old Navy and, first, shop, and second, see my holiday album, that’s a Christmas gift in itself for me,” Hudson says.

Jennifer Hudson stars in Old Navy’s Love is in the House campaign.

Courtesy of Old Navy

The star, who recently dubbed herself the Princess of Christmas, says filming the campaign is “like celebrating the holidays at home”.

“It was like a holiday party. It brought me back to when I was growing up and setting the table for dinner for the holidays. And when everyone gets together, children, old people, dogs, it’s just time for love. And it was so authentic in my life.”

Hudson continues, “I loved everything: fashion, fun and community. We can feel comfortable, be together and have a good time.”

When asked if he has any tips for reducing stress while on the road, Hudson exclaims, “Oh my God, you know what? I don’t even know if the holiday season should pass without stress! If I’m comfortable in what I’m wearing, that will help me get through anything.”

Her vacation fashion tip is: Be “comfortable but glamorous.”

Old Navy’s Love is in the House campaign.

Courtesy of Old Navy

“If I’m hosting at home, I want to be in my jammies. That’s the key for me, being comfortable with what I’m wearing because that sets the tone. And when I bring everyone into my environment, the host in me makes sure they are comfortable too. I like everyone to have a good time. To have a gift. I call it a gift of love, like a holiday album. I like everyone to get exactly what they want for Christmas. So when you come to my house and I’m the host, I like everyone to be happy, celebrating and being together.”

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“That’s what it’s all about,” Hudson says. “Every sock is filled with love. When you enter, nothing else is allowed: only love. That’s what I like to lead, baby. And that’s why I think this is a wonderful endeavor and a great representation of Old Navy and myself. I feel that the best way to lead with love is to let everyone know that everyone is welcome. And everyone has a place and a gift under the pine tree and something on the table that they like to eat. They should leave feeling good.”

Jennifer Hudson appears on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” in Burbank, California on October 18.

Chris Haston/WBTV/Getty

After releasing her album, partnering with Old Navy and gearing up for her tour, Hudson says there’s just one more thing that could make her holidays even merrier and brighter.

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“Old Navy has given me the gift of being given a place, allowing me to be a part of people’s homes. When they have their TVs on, they see the Old Navy family celebrating the holidays and hear “Winter Wonderland.” So if my song becomes a part of everyone’s holiday tradition, I’ll never need a Christmas present again. That would be the ultimate Christmas present for me.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education