Hollywood icon Gwyneth Paltrow paid heartfelt tribute to fellow star Kate Hudson while celebrating decades of friendship at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Hudson was honoured with the Arlington Artist of the Year Award for her Oscar-nominated performance in Song Sung Blue.
During the ceremony, Paltrow introduced Hudson, calling her “like a little sister” and describing their bond as a “real, true, old friendship.” She reflected on growing up in interconnected Hollywood families—Paltrow’s parents, Blythe Danner and Bruce Paltrow, were longtime friends with Hudson’s parents, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.
“Although I’m much older than Kate, I remember seeing her when she was little,” Paltrow said, highlighting the evolution of their friendship in the early 2000s. She also fondly recalled shared birthday celebrations, family milestones, and their children growing up together, noting the “full spectrum” of experiences they’ve shared.
Paltrow praised Hudson as “an amazing artist, an entrepreneur, obviously an incredible singer and a mother.” Hudson has reciprocated the sentiment, describing their bond as “loyal” and “beautiful,” underscoring a friendship that has thrived both personally and professionally over the years.
Their enduring connection remains one of Hollywood’s most celebrated friendships, blending shared history, family ties, and mutual admiration into a lifelong relationship.