Jennifer Hudson Biography And Filmography:

Jennifer Hudson joined an elite group in 2006, when her performance in the movie adaptation of the stage musical, “Dreamgirls” was seen as a sure-winner for all major acting awards – even before the movie premiered in theaters. Jennifer Hudson was even named “Female Star of Tomorrow” by ShoWest, the film industry’s largest annual convention. It all added up to an impressive debut for a timid and charming Midwestern girl who never had any study in music or acting and whose biggest credit was being voted off “American Idol” (2002- ) in the show’s third season.

Born on Sept. 12, 1981, Jennifer Kate Hudson grew up in Chicago, IL and began singing in her church choir at the age of eight. Her grandmother, Julia Kate Hudson, also sang for the church, and became Hudson’s encouragement. During elementary and high school, Hudson participated in talent shows and stage productions that polished her talents as a singer. Her musical gifts secured Hudson a singing job with the Disney Cruise Ship line, the “Disney Wonder,” where she played Calliope – a main character in the ship’s entertainment variety show. The musical, which Hudson considered a big milestone in her life, ran from February to August of 2003, and motivated Hudson to seek her career in singing and acting much more seriously than ever before.

In the summer of 2003, Jennifer Hudson found herself at an intersection in her life. She had to decide between staying with Disney Cruise Ships or going to Atlanta to audition for the Fox network reality competition series, “American Idol: Season 3.”  Jennifer followed her heart and chose “American Idol" – considering that at this time “American Idol” had already made pop music celebrities out of prior winners and runners-up Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, and Clay Aiken. With her powerful vocals and charismatic personality, Jennifer Hudson was among 75,000 entrants in the season’s audition process. 

Hudson did not make it through the semifinal eliminations, but was later brought back to the show as “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson’s wildcard pick, as he had been impressed by Hudson’s vocal range. Hudson became an instant favorite with her selections of songs by John Lennon, Barry Manilow, and Whitney Houston. Regrettably, it was over for Hudson, as she was voted off the show later that month. 

After the “American Idol” season ended, Jennifer Hudson went on tour with her fellow Idols. She was away from the public eye for a number of years, until November 2005 when she appeared to take the role of Effie White in the film adaptation of the stage musical “Dreamgirls.” Hudson auditioned with, and beat out, thousands of other singers and actresses for the same role that made a star of singer Jennifer Holliday in the early 1980's Broadway production. The movie version was packed full of super-star cast members, including Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx, (for 2004’s “Ray”), comedy superstar Eddie Murphy, and pop singer Beyoncé Knowles. Even before the film was released on Christmas day of 2006, Jennifer Hudson had Hollywood talking about her potential as a favorite for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards. 

And critics, including Simon Cowell, were astounded by her version of the show’s signature theme song, “And I am Telling You I'm Not Going.” By early 2007, the award nominations started rolling in for Jennifer Hudson, who received a win at the Golden Globe Awards for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, making her the favorite to win after being nominated for Best Supporting Actress for the 79th Annual Academy Awards. The odds makers were correct. 

The music industry also took notice of Hudson’s high powered performance in the musical. In addition to her acting jobs on screen, she sang on Meat Loaf’s 2006 album, "Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose", on the song, “The Future Ain’t What It Used to Be.” Hudson was also hired by Clive Davis’ "J Records" in October, 2006. 

In 2008 Hudson had another lucky break, starring along side powerhouse celebrities Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Noth, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis in the blockbuster cult favorite movie "Sex And The City" (2008). She then worked with Kate Beckinsale in the crime drama "Winged Creatures" (2008), about a group of strangers who form a unique relationship with each other after surviving a random shooting at a Los Angeles diner. Hudson was then hired and cast next to Dakota Fanning in the comedy adventure "The Secret Life of Bees" (2008), set in South Carolina in 1964 the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother.