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Top 15 Interesting Facts about Jennifer Hudson

Originally published by Faith in November 2022 and updated by Faith in January 2024

Jennifer Hudson is well known for her exceptional talents in acting and singing. Through her participation in the third season of “American Idol,” Jennifer Hudson gained fame. Although she was eliminated from this reality television show’s Top 7 round, her fame was unparalleled. Soon after leaving the programme, she was signed by the recording company Arista Records, and she got the chance to work with some of the best musicians.

She gained even more notoriety after the release of her debut record because the self-titled album came in at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. For the singer, this was a huge accomplishment. Over time, she has published a great deal more records, and her fan base has constantly grown. Therefore, this article will explore fifteen interesting facts about the singer that will give us a deeper insight into her life.

1 She started singing when she was six years

Hudson made her public singing debut at the age of six while watching her grandmother perform at a church choir practice as she was raised in a Baptist household. The choirmaster asked the group to sing a note that they couldn’t quite get right. As she sat on her godmother’s lap, Hudson sang it for them, leaving the choir speechless. “This girl is going to be a singer,” her godmother told Hudson’s mother. It was prophetic as she turned out to be an amazing singer whose fame spread around the globe.

2 Jennifer Hudson worked on a Disney cruise

Jennifer had found success as a singer by 2004 as she had a five-year record deal with an independent label which landed her a part playing one of the muses from Hercules while on a Disney cruise. Being a cast member of the cruise gave Jennifer Hudson a chance to practice and perfect her singing as well as her choreography. Unbeknownst to her, the job on the cruise was preparing her for an opportunity of a lifetime that was just around the corner.

3 She sailed through the American Idol audition

After leaving the Disney cruise and her small record label, Jennifer Hudson headed to Atlanta with more than a thousand other contestants to audition for the American Idol which was on its third season. At the audition, her voice set her apart from the crowd and she quickly passed through the first two stages of the audition having impressed the judges. She went to Hollywood confident with how the singing reality show would go but the journey to success was a bit harder than she had imagined.

4 Her elimination from American Idol came as a shock

After breezing through the audition with such ease, Jennifer Hudson quickly impressed the audience and thus became a favourite among the fans of the show. She even earned the highest number of votes for her performance of Elton John’s Circle of Life. Therefore, when the judges eliminated her from the reality show, it came as a shock to her and the audience. One of the judges Simon commented that she was out of her depth in the competition. He has come to regret the sentiments as Hudson has had a successful career in the music industry.

5 She auditioned and got a role in Dreamgirls

After leaving American Idol, the singer knew that she could do more with her newfound popularity and when she got a casting call for Dreamgirls, she quickly took that chance. Hudson competed against many singing actresses who wanted the role in a series of auditions that lasted six months.

She then waited for weeks and was finally informed that she got the role. The announcement was done by Dreamworks’ producers that Jennifer Hudson would take the role of Effie White in the film. Hudson managed to beat her former competitor Fantasia Barrino who was also the winner of American Idol.

6 She transformed herself for the role in Dreamgirls

The producers expected Hudson to transform herself on the inside and out for the film and to fit the persona of the character. She not only gained 20 pounds for the role, but she also worked one-on-one with director Bill Condon to perfect her diva persona needed for the film, which did not come naturally to the unassuming Hudson. Condon instructed her to arrive late for rehearsals and speak rudely to the crew, which she dreaded. Fortunately, the crew readily accepted her apologies.

7 Her mother, brother and nephew were killed

Jennifer Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, her older brother Jason and her nephew were shot and killed in October 2008. The trio were in the Chicago home that Darnell Donerson shared with Jennifer’s older sister Julia. The police charged Julia’s estranged husband William Balfour with three counts of first-degree murder and he also faced home invasion charges.

In memory of the three victims, Hudson’s family established The Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims. In memory of her nephew, she and her sister established the Julian D. King Gift Foundation. It gives Chicago families in need Christmas presents and school supplies.

8 She was the first black singer to be on the cover of Vogue

Among her many accolades and achievements, one that stands out as a first in terms of representation is when Hudson became the first Black vocalist to appear on the cover of Vogue. This was a big milestone for Hudson because she joined Halle Berry and Oprah Winfrey as the only other two Black women to appear on the cover of Vogue. It also shows that Hudson was making big steps in the music industry to warrant her being featured on the cover of Vogue.

9 She has EGOT status

Jennifer Hudson has earned a wide range of awards throughout her music career. She became the 17th person to earn the EGOT status which means that she is an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award winner. This is quite an achievement as there are prestigious awards and it is not common for a person to win all four of them.

10 She hid her pregnancy

While most celebrities are constantly in the spotlight and unable to keep anything a secret, Jennifer was able to conceal her pregnancy for a while. Before she was seven months along, no one knew she was pregnant. The baby shower that was hosted in her honour was the only way the secret was revealed. Although friends and relatives tried to keep it quiet, the press learned about it as rumours spread. For a while, Jennifer didn’t confirm or reject reports, and nobody discovered she was expecting a boy until after he was born.

11 She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that was placed close to that of Whitney Houston

Jennifer Hudsn with Fred Nelson at an event. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Jennifer Hudson solidified her reputation as Hollywood royalty on November 13, 2013, when she was honoured with the 2,512th star on the renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame. The special award came less than two years after Hudson gave a heartfelt tribute performance of “I Will Always Love You” to her idol Whitney Houston at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Hudson’s Walk of Fame star has been installed next to Houston’s just down the street, demonstrating her admiration for the late great singer.

An emotional Hudson spoke about this significant placement at the unveiling ceremony, stating that she used to visit Houston’s star for motivation when she was a struggling musician. Almost ten years into her meteoric career, having won an Oscar, a Grammy, and numerous other honours, Hudson had fulfilled her musical ambitions while still deeply honouring those who came before her, such as Whitney.

12 She was a coach on the Voice

A picture of Jennifer Hudson. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Jennifer Hudson demonstrated her skill as a coach on the reality TV programme The Voice, helping hopeful singers advance through the competition. In addition to her vocal abilities, her job as a mentor and coach revealed her capacity to foster and develop potential. Hudson had a profound influence on both competitors and spectators because of her encouraging demeanour and ability to provide constructive criticism. Her involvement in several seasons of The Voice demonstrated her dedication to supporting upcoming musicians and cemented her standing as a reputable person in the music business. She also shared insightful lessons learned from her ascent to fame.

13 Jennifer Hudson is an author

Jennifer Hudson is an accomplished novelist in addition to her achievements in acting and music. The autobiography she wrote is called “I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down.” The book, which was released in 2012, details her journey, including her struggles and successes in losing weight. Hudson offers insights into her evolution and the mental shifts that enabled her to lead a better lifestyle.

In addition to providing readers with an intimate look into her challenges and victories, the memoir also acts as a motivational manual for those looking to make positive life changes of their own. Many others have found inspiration in Hudson’s candidness about her journey, which extends beyond her creative accomplishments.

14 She produced a film

Jennifer Hudson contributed significantly to the production and artistic choices in the movie “Chi-Raq (2015)” in her capacity as executive producer. The Spike Lee-directed film “Chi-Raq” tackles gun violence in Chicago while adapting the ancient Greek drama “Lysistrata” for current audiences. Hudson’s work as an executive producer demonstrated her dedication to initiatives that illuminate significant social concerns and are consistent with her support of constructive change. This project demonstrated her flexibility as a performer as well as her power in the film industry’s production and storytelling domains.

15 Jennifer is keen on advocacy efforts

Jennifer Hudson is a dedicated philanthropist who has dedicated herself to various social causes. Through her charitable endeavours, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving education, advancing women’s rights, and raising awareness about AIDS. Hudson has collaborated with various organizations to support these initiatives, leveraging her platform to raise awareness and drive positive change. Her philanthropic efforts extend beyond financial support, as she often uses her voice and influence to advocate for social justice and improve the lives of others. Hudson’s dedication to these causes reflects a deeper desire to make a meaningful impact beyond her career in entertainment, demonstrating a genuine commitment to improving the world around her.