Who needs a man? Not me

Do you believe there's a soulmate for everyone?

Kate Hudson: 'No. I believe there are certain people who are supposed to be in your life at certain times, and that there are people you meet and continue to have long-standing relationships with through respect and good communication. But just one? No.'

You've hit the headlines in the past for saying that men are not meant to be monogamous. What did you mean?

Kate Hudson: 'I meant that men are more animalistic than we are. The difference between men and women is a highly discussed topic and we all know that, animalistically, they are supposed to drop their seed in as many places as they can! I meant it in a primal sense. I went on a safari in Africa recently and I was watching all these animals and thinking, "That's me." We're all animals, with the guys out getting the food. Apart from lions - female lions do everything.' [Laughs]

So you're saying that men simply can't help cheating?

Kate Hudson: 'No, I don't mean that at all. Listen, this is an easy thing for people to make controversial - I say one thing and all of a sudden everyone's like, "She doesn't believe in monogamy." I believe men need someone and if that's what they want in their life, then they will absolutely be monogamous. I'm talking about the reason men are so different from women - and the fact that until men decide they want to choose one woman and settle down, they're going to be flakey. And it's not just men. Everyone needs different things - I know women who are like that and don't want to settle.'

What about you?

Kate Hudson: 'I'm totally monogamous.'

Would you forgive a man who cheated on you?

Kate Hudson: [Long pause] 'Probably. I don't know. It's difficult to predict how you'll react, but I have a real thing with it. I've always been straight with guys and said, "When the time comes that you feel you need to go in a different direction, please just tell me." I'd rather be told before than afterwards, when it'd hurt me.

It'd kill me. I believe you can work on anything, as long as honesty still plays a part and you can stop it being about who's a liar. That's always been a really big rule for me because there's always going to be temptation. There are always going to be moments in life when you're looking for something to make you feel alive again.'

Let's talk about Matthew McConaughey. What is it about you guys? You're always working together.

Kate Hudson: 'I don't know - we seem to drive each other crazy in a good way. As Matthew puts it, we're the perfect pain in each other's asses.'

It helps that he spends most of his time half-naked, right?

Kate Hudson: [Laughs] 'There is just this thing of trust between us. I feel safe with him and I believe he wouldn't let anything happen to me. That's not to say I wouldn't let anything happen to him... That's just the male/female relationship. It's rare that you get to work with someone you really love, and that's my relationship with Matthew. I spent my whole adolescence hanging out with my brother and his friends, so I've always felt at ease around men.'

You've always had a great attitude. How have you managed to stay so grounded?

Kate Hudson: 'My parents gave me the greatest career advice. They said, "Make sure you have interests in other fields." Let's face it, most people in the entertainment business are insecure. It's inevitable if you're on show the whole time, and if there's nothing else to focus on you become obsessed by what the world thinks about you.'

You really don't care?

Kate Hudson: 'No, and I think most people in Hollywood feel that way. The funniest thing is when I meet people for the first time and we're like, "Hey, we're supposed to have been making out last week." We laugh about it and say, "Well, I guess that's what this industry is about."'

Why do you think people are so fascinated watching stars like Britney Spears self-destruct?

Kate Hudson: 'I don't know. Even with things like becoming single, all of a sudden it's like, "Let's get her making out with all these different people." Without you even doing anything, you're in the media for months! You have to laugh and just go with it, otherwise you'd go crazy. The way I see it, I'm very strong and people can say whatever they want.'

Finally, you've come into 2008 stronger and sexier than before. What have you learnt along the way?

Kate Hudson: [Long pause] 'My main focus and my priority is my son, and it has been ever since the day he was born. Nothing else matters, nothing else is real. I care about my son, my family, my work, and I feel great when someone walks up and tells me they loved my movie and it made them happy.

So I hope to continue doing that, and hopefully along the way I can erase all this negativity that people are interested in. I'm a pretty positive person, so watch this space.'

Kate stars in Fool's Gold, with Matthew McConaughey, which is out on April 18.