Jennifer Hudson -- I Did NOT Turn Down 'Precious' Because of the Weight Thing!!!

Jennifer Hudson says her weight was NOT a factor when she turned down the role of "Precious" ... telling TMZ there was ANOTHER factor that rubbed her the wrong way.

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 (below) ... 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."

We called Jennifer's people hoping to get some clarification -- so far, no word back.