Kate Hudson Was ‘So Happy’ She Didn’t Have Her Famous Mother’s Last Name

Kate Hudson is insisting that she did not grow up as privileged as people might think, despite being the daughter of Hollywood star Goldie Hawn and musician Bill Hudson.

The actress claimed during a recent podcast appearance that her parents never handed anything to her or her brother, Oliver.

According to Kate Hudson, unlike the kids she saw in Los Angeles in her younger years, she didn’t “coast by” with parents who assisted them with “everything.”

Kate Hudson has opened up about growing up amid Hollywood privilege while being raised by parents who valued hard work over entitlement.

Though her biological father is musician Bill Hudson, who was married to Goldie Hawn from 1976 to 1982, the actress and her brother Oliver were largely raised by Hawn and her long-time partner Kurt Russell, 74. Hudson has often described Russell as the father figure in her life.

On a recent episode of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Hudson reflected on her upbringing, recalling how her parents were firm about one principle: nothing would be handed to her.

“I grew up in L.A., where I saw kids coast by with parents who gave them everything,” she said, per Fox News Digital. “And I had the opposite parents.”

“We were clearly privileged kids,” she admitted, “but I do think that my parents were so adamant about how none of it belonged to us, like that we didn’t earn it, that in order to get a life like the one we were living, we had to earn it ourselves.”

“That it would never be available to us unless we had the same kind of work ethic,” Hudson added.

Returning to Los Angeles for high school after her family moved to the outskirts of Aspen, Colorado, when she was young, Hudson attended the exclusive Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica.

At her school, she saw the stark contrast between her upbringing and that of some of her peers.

The actress remembered classmates receiving luxury cars and gifts, while her parents emphasized discipline and effort over material rewards.

“You grow up, and you see kids get cars that you’re like, whoa. We were the kids — and we’re privileged — and we’re like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe their parents bought them a new car,” she recalled.

Both Hudson and Oliver eventually followed careers in acting, with the “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” actress admitting she took what her parents taught her “to heart.”

“For me, I really took that to heart. I was like, ‘No, I can’t — I will never rely on my parents,'” she said.

The actress continued, “And that was my big thing. I will never take a job because of them. I won’t. I don’t want anybody knowing they’re my parents. When I first started, I was so happy my last name was Hudson. It was really, really important to me.”

Hudson credits her parents for instilling a strong work ethic that shaped her career. “If you really want to do this, if you really want to act, you have to put in the discipline,” she reflected.

Hudson drew attention once again as she arrived at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards in London, turning heads in a stunning red silk gown.

The 46-year-old “Song Sung Blue” star radiated old Hollywood glamour in the strapless Prada ensemble, featuring a cinched waist that highlighted her slender figure. She complemented the look with delicate jewelry, including a standout diamond choker.

In high spirits on the red carpet, Hudson’s radiant smile matched the excitement of the evening. Her nomination for Best Leading Actress at the BAFTAs echoes her recent Oscar nod, marking 25 years since her first recognition in the same category.

This year, she faces competition from Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Chase Infiniti, Renata Reinsve, and Emma Stone.

Earlier in February, Hudson attended the 28th Costume Designers Guild Awards at the Ebell in Los Angeles, where she was honored with the Spotlight Award.

The accolade recognizes actors whose careers reflect a lasting dedication to excellence and a strong appreciation for the art of costume design.

Speaking with Fox News Digital on the red carpet, Hudson shared what advice she might give her younger self.

“I think giving advice to my younger self would be like discounting all of the decisions that I made that were also like good decisions — even the mistakes and the ones that were challenging decisions that I made formed everything for who I am right now, so I wouldn’t go back and do anything different,” she said.

Still, reflecting on her career and her many memorable fashion moments on-screen, Hudson admitted to one small regret.

“You asked what I would do different and I was gonna say, I’d keep more clothes!” the actress joked.