Eddie Murphy Shares Unseen Beyoncé Moment From “Dreamgirls” Set

Eddie Murphy, better known for his quick wit and razor-sharp comedy, surprised listeners by sharing a story with a very different tone. Reflecting on his time filming Dreamgirls—the 2006 musical that brought together Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and others—he recalled a moment that had lingered in his mind for nearly two decades.

It wasn’t about the craft of acting or the politics of Hollywood sets, but something smaller and more human. Instead, it was about two women navigating the everyday reality of being human on a film set that was anything but ordinary.

A Quiet Exchange on Set

Murphy admitted that his time on Dreamgirls blurred together, largely because he was going through a divorce. “Autopilot” was the word he used to describe how he operated during those months. That’s why one moment stands out so clearly: it cut through the fog.

Between takes, Jennifer Hudson—new to film and still adjusting to the scrutiny that comes with fame—was caught trying to fix her dry hands by licking her fingers. It’s the kind of small, unpolished action most of us wouldn’t think twice about, except that Hollywood tends to magnify everything. Beyoncé, already a global star but still known for her disarming warmth, noticed and leaned over to gently say, “Ooh girl, don’t do that. I’ll get you some cream.”

Instagram | justjared | Noticing Jennifer Hudson’s ashy skin, Beyoncé leaned in and privately offered to get her some cream.

Murphy, sitting nearby, saw the entire exchange. No cameras rolling, no audience. Just one colleague making sure another didn’t feel awkward or exposed. For him, that moment revealed more about Beyoncé’s character than any polished press interview ever could.

Why That Memory Matters

In Hollywood, kindness rarely makes the headlines. Rivalries, diva behavior, or salary disputes tend to dominate the narrative. That’s why Murphy’s recollection feels so refreshing: it cuts through the mythology of stardom. Hudson, who had just transitioned from reality television into a major film, was under enormous pressure to prove herself.

A tiny gesture of reassurance from Beyoncé wasn’t going to make the tabloids, but for Hudson, it may have been a subtle reminder that she wasn’t alone.

Murphy didn’t overdramatize it. It was a tiny gesture of kindness that lingered in his memory, a reminder that the moments we hold onto aren’t always tied to glitz or high drama. Sometimes, it’s as ordinary as a tube of lotion passed around on set.

The Legacy of Dreamgirls

When Dreamgirls finally arrived in theaters in 2006, it carried the weight of enormous expectations. Its Broadway predecessor had already carved out a place in cultural history, and audiences were eager to see how the film version would measure up.

Translating that energy to film required not only powerhouse voices but also actors who could embody the messy ambition and heartbreak of a Motown-inspired group navigating success.

Instagram | dreamgirls.movie | Based on a 1981 musical, the 2006 film ‘Dreamgirls’ cast Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson in lead roles.

Beyoncé’s Deena Jones was the polished star, Jennifer Hudson’s Effie White the raw talent forced into the shadows, and Murphy’s James “Thunder” Early, the flamboyant showman balancing charm with self-destruction. The chemistry on screen worked because the actors built trust off camera. Hudson’s breakout earned her an Oscar, while Murphy’s performance reminded audiences he could command a role far beyond comedy.

That the film still holds cultural weight almost two decades later says a lot. People remember Hudson’s voice shaking theater walls, but they also remember the texture—the costumes, the sound design, the tension between characters that felt uncomfortably real.

Looking Back

What makes Murphy’s story compelling isn’t its size but its intimacy. In a film remembered for powerhouse ballads and glittering spectacle, he zoomed in on a quiet backstage kindness that nobody else noticed. That detail adds another layer to how we think about Dreamgirls and the people who brought it to life.

For audiences, it’s a reminder that even the most polished stars have unguarded moments—and that sometimes the most enduring memories are born not under the spotlight but in the pauses between takes.