Jennifer Hudson: Summary

Recent Role:: Self on The Oprah Winfrey Show

Gender:: Female

Birthday:: 9-12-1981

Birthplace:: Chicago, IL

Birth Name:: Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer first caught the public's eye during her stint as a finalist on the third season of "American Idol." Her ranking as seventh that season was quite controversial, since she was considered to be a superior singer to many of the finalists who continued with the competition and even inspired Elton John to declare that the whole competition was "racist". While most Idol finalist go on to enjoy varying degrees of success after their initial exposure afforded by the show, Jennifer's career moved in an unexpected direction; acting. In 2006, she landed the role of "Elfie White" in the film version of the musical Dreamgirls, beating out Fantasia Barrino, the winner of American Idol's third season. The film went on to be nominated for eight Academy Awards and winning two, including one for Jennifer as Best Supporting Actress. Included in the cast were several Hollywood A-listers, including Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy.

After the success of Dreamgirls, Jennifer went on to sign a recording contract with Clive Davis' J-Records and released her debut album in January 2007. Her acting career continued with roles in the Sex and the City movie and Winged Creatures. She has also appeared on broadway, performing in the stage version of "Hair". Jennifer first caught the public's eye during her stint as a finalist on the third season of "American Idol." Her ranking as seventh that season was quite controversial, since she was considered to be a superior singer to many of the finalists who continued with the competition and even inspired Elton John to declare that the whole competition was "racist". While most Idol finalist go...

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What to Watch: February 1 - 7
Our pick of the best TV shows on Aussie screens this week, including The Grammy Awards, Survivor: Samoa finale, the premiere of The Good Wife and new seasons of many of our favourites.
- 01/31/10 2:16 PM
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American Idol season nine world premiere
Over two nights, the American Idol premiere will feature extraordinary talent and outrageous new auditions direct from Atlanta and Boston.
- 01/05/10 8:02 PM
- 1 comments
Blog Spotlight: Confirmed: Jennifer Hudson is Pregnant
A baby shower thrown this past Saturday has confirmed that Jennifer Hudson is pregnant. See More...
- 06/02/09 2:54 PM
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Hudson's wedding 'goes to the dogs'
Jennifer Hudson has declared plans for her wedding to go to the dogs.
- 04/02/09 8:10 AM
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Jennifer Hudson singing Super Bowl National Anthem
To say that the last few years for Jennifer Hudson have seen their highs and lows would be a massive understatement. Hudson leaped from obscurity to fame thanks to American Idol and a win an Oscar for her role in Showgirls, but dealt with personal loss with the murders of her mother, brother, and nephew last October.
- 01/20/09 2:45 PM
- 7 comments

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Bjbler2396
member since: Apr 2, 2006
Jennifer Hudson is a great singer and great actress. ...Continue »
Jennifer Hudson is a spectacular singer and actress. She has won a Golden Globe and an Oscar. She desrved both awards for her role in the movie Dreamgirls as Effie. She has the perfect voice for the movie. Her voice should have carried her at least to the top three of American Idol in season 3, but she surprisingly left in 7th place. I was shocked especially because Jennifer was a stunning singer. She's now got a successful career underway which is really good because she desrves it more then lots of other stars in the world. Jennifer Hudson is amazing!
BJ 8)
06/25/08 08:44am | report abuse
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coaster41395
member since: Jan 20, 2007
She's so incredibly talented!! ...Continue »
Wow!! Jennifer Hudson is one talented girl! She was placed seventh on American Idol during the third season. She was great on that show! I wanted her to be at least in the top 4. I didn't want her to win though. I wanted Diana DeGarmo to win. When it was between her and Fantasia Barrino, I was hoping it was Fantasia soo much! I didn't like her! I wanted her to go home way before that! Anyways, I was very mad when she went home. She was also in the movie Dreamgirls. I haven't seen it yet, but I know that she did an amazing job because she won an oscar.
06/28/07 06:52pm | report abuse
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datgirlbree
member since: Oct 30, 2006
I think Jennifer is great. ...Continue »
Jennifer is great. She not trying to be something she not. I think she should have won American Idol, but now we see. I think that she has an amzing voice, and a great actress. Jennifer derserves all the awards she gets. I also think she is bold. Jennifer wasn't afraid to be compared to Beyonce, because she knew she would be. She is also a good role model. She shows people to not give up, and to keep trying.
05/28/07 08:16am | report abuse
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MissMeka2011
member since: Jan 10, 2007
This rising actress/singer first gained notice as one of the finalists on the third season of the FOX television series "American Idol". Then she went on to co-star in the movie "Dreamgirls" alongside Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, and Beyonce'. ...Continue »
This girl has proven her singing ability by becoming a finalist in American Idol's third season. She didn't win but she went on to win the role of Effie in the movie "Dreamgirls". I liked the movie and to me, she did a better job at acting than Beyonce' did. She has won many awards for her role in this movie, which proves she did a better job than Beyonce'. She brought the character Effie to life and I hope this isn't her last acting or singing stint. I have seen the movie "Dreamgirls" and I think she did an amazing job. She really is a good actress and singer. She really has good vocal belting. She has done good jobs singing "And I Am Telling You" live and in the movie. But in the movie, it really captured her passion in the song. She doesn't need to be compared to Jennifer Holliday, who originally had the part, because she did a great effort in her own version of the part and the song. If you haven't seen the movie, I advise you to do so.
03/03/07 12:16pm | report abuse
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amauriel
member since: Jun 3, 2005
empty ...Continue »
Yes, Jennifer Hudson has talent. But, she's really no better than any other singer in her genre. I feel like people commend her for losing so much weight and not for her acting or singing skills.
02/13/07 10:38am | report abuse