Name: Jennifer Hudson

Birth Name: Jennifer Hudson

Birthdate: Sept. 12, 1981

Birthplace: Chicago, Ill.

Hudson began singing in her church choir at age 7 and continued to develop her talents performing in talent shows, local theater, weddings and benefits throughout her early school years. In 2003, she landed her first leading role in a musical that ran on the Disney cruise line. When her contract was up, she jumped ship to audition for American Idol in Atlanta and became one of the 12 finalists on the show, wowing guest critics Elton John and Barry Manilow. She performed alongside Destiny's Child and Kanye West; in 2006, she beat out 782 hopefuls including American Idol winner Fantasia Barino for her acclaimed film role as lead singer Effie Melody White in Dreamgirls for which she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She follows up her dream Dreamgirls performance with a role as Carrie Bradshaw's assistant in the film adaptation of Sex and the City.


1. She attributes her singing ability to her maternal grandmother, Julia Kate Hudson.
2. She has a six-octave range.
3. She was almost not cast in Dreamgirls because she was not heavy enough; she gained 20 pounds for the role.
4. She made it to No. 7 on American Idol. Throughout the run, she was touted as a front-runner; allegations of racism followed her departure. 5. Oprah Winfrey called her performance in Dreamgirls "a religious experience."


On playing a diva in Dreamgirls: "I thought, 'This is my job? I get paid to come in late? And I get paid to be rude?' Who gets to do that?"
— USA Today, Dec. 10, 2006

2007: Academy Award: Best Supporting Actress, Dreamgirls; Golden Globe: Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, Dreamgirls

 

FILMS

Sex and the City: The Movie - (2008) - Actor
Dreamgirls - (2006) - Actor