Eddie Murphy Reveals a Previously Untold Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson Story From 'Dreamgirls' Set

Eddie Murphy is recalling a wholesome moment between Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson on the set of Dreamgirls.

In a new interview with Speedy Morman for Complex’s 360 With Speedy, the iconic actor, who is currently celebrating more than nearly 50 years in the industry, was asked if he had any interesting stories with particular celebrities.

A story that came to mind was a candid moment with Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson on the set of the 2006 big-screen adaption of the hit Broadway musical Dreamgirls.

“I did Dreamgirls right when I was getting divorced,” Murphy recalled near the 12-minute mark in the video linked above. “I was kind of like on automatic pilot, and I don't remember a lot of making the movie.”

Murphy recalled seeing Beyoncé, who at the time had fully stepped into solo superstardom, and Hudson, just a year removed from becoming a finalist on Season 3 of American Idol, on set between takes.

“Neither one of them know that I know this,” Murphy said. “They were on stage. Jennifer was new in show business and she had, I guess a finger ... was ashy, and she was licking her fingers and getting the ash like that. Beyonce grabbed her and said, ‘Ooh girl, don't do that. I'll get you some cream.’ And it was quiet between the two of them, but I saw it.”

“This might be the first time I've shared that with anyone,” he concluded.

Murphy earned an Oscar nomination for his performance as Jimmy “Thunder” Early in Dreamgirls. He starred in the film opposite Jamie Foxx as Curtis Taylor Jr., Beyoncé as Deena Jones, Anika Noni Rose as Lorrell Robinson, and Jennifer Hudson as Effie White.

Eddie Murphy's newest comedy heist film, The Pickup, is streaming now on Prime Video.