Jennifer Hudson Explains Why She Turned Down Precious Role

The Weight Watchers spokeswoman was in NYC last night ... when she explained, "I did NOT turn down the role because of the weight thing ... I turned it down because I felt it was just too graphic for me at that time."

Hudson's explanation seems to contradict what she told "Dateline" earlier this week ... when Jennifer said she passed because, "I would have had to be the big girl again."

When Lester Holt asked if her decision to turn down "Precious" was motivated by fear of being typecast as a heavy actress ... Hudson said, "I don't like the idea of being boxed into anything."