Jennifer Hudson#2008: Winnie and family murders

Hudson was born in Chicago, Illinois.{{cite news|title=Monitor|newspaper=Entertainment Weekly|date=Sep 13, 2013|issue=1276|page=28}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/jennifer-hudson-p454405|title=Person: Jennifer Hudson: Biography|website=Allmovie|access-date=September 24, 2017}} She is the third and youngest child of Darnell Donerson{{cite web|url=http://searches.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ssdi.html|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=Ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com|date=July 15, 2010|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924165759/http://searches.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ssdi.html|archive-date=September 24, 2017|url-status=dead}} and Samuel Simpson, a Greyhound Lines bus driver.{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/175911,sho-cst-dream17.article|title=Living the dream|last=Hoekstra|first=Dave|date=December 16, 2006|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=July 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204155517/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/175911,sho-cst-dream17.article|archive-date=February 4, 2009|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1808690669/bio|title=Yahoo Biography|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=March 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628202149/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1808690669/bio|archive-date=June 28, 2011|url-status=dead}} She, her older sister Julia, a school bus driver, and her brother Jason Hudson, were raised primarily by their mother. Her father was absent from her childhood until, with the blessing of her mother, she went looking for him at age 14. When Hudson found her father, she learned that he had 26 other children. She has stated she has still not met all of her half-siblings.{{cite news |last1=Brockes |first1=Emma |title=Jennifer Hudson: 'How do you be a cat? I sat with that for ever' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/nov/30/jennifer-hudson-cats-how-do-you-be-a-cat |website=The Guardian |date=November 30, 2019 |access-date=1 April 2024}}

She was raised as a Baptist{{cite web|agency=The Associated Press|date= February 20, 2007|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/20/arts/NA-A-E-CEL-US-People-Hudson.php|title=For Oscar nominee Jennifer Hudson, all roads lead back to church: 'I don't do clubs'|website=International Herald Tribute|access-date=September 13, 2008}} in Englewood{{cite journal|year=2007|title=Jennifer Hudson 1981–|journal=Biography Today |volume=17|issue=1|page=50|issn=1058-2347}} and attended Dunbar Vocational High School, from which she graduated in 1999.{{Cite web|last=Colander|first=Pat|title=TRUE CRIME: Academy-Award winner Jennifer Hudson was Cinderella, until she wasn't|url=https://www.nwitimes.com/news/state-and-regional/true-crime-academy-award-winner-jennifer-hudson-was-cinderella-until-she-wasn-t/article_1022360c-c8ad-5589-9284-28d130de6a47.html|access-date=2021-12-11|website=nwitimes.com|date=October 15, 2015 |language=en}} She cites Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Patti LaBelle as her overall biggest influences and inspiration.{{cite web|author=World Entertainment News Network|date=February 7, 2008|url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/music/musicnews/DREAMGIRLS-30029.html|title=Dreamgirls Star Hudson Dreams Of Houston Duet|publisher=Female First|access-date=September 24, 2017}} She has also credited Mariah Carey as being one of her musical "heroes".{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL8uFIqPjyA| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/EL8uFIqPjyA| archive-date=2021-10-28|title=Mariah Carey Is Here and the Coaches are Losing Their Minds – The Voice 2018 (Digital Exclusive)| date=October 25, 2018|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} At age 7 she got her start in performing by singing with the church choir and doing community theater with the help of her late maternal grandmother, Julia.Biography Today, p. 50. She enrolled at Langston University but she left after a semester due to homesickness and unhappiness with the weather, and registered at Kennedy–King College.Biography Today, p. 51.

In January 2002, Hudson signed her first recording contract with Righteous Records, a Chicago-based independent record label.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/state-and-regional/true-crime-academy-award-winner-jennifer-hudson-was-cinderella-until/article_1022360c-c8ad-5589-9284-28d130de6a47.html|title=True Crime: Academy-Award winner Jennifer Hudson was Cinderella, until she wasn't|last=Colander|first=Pat|website=Nwitimes.com|access-date=December 19, 2017|language=en}} She was released from her contract with Righteous Records so that she could appear on American Idol in 2004.

Hudson auditioned for the third season of American Idol in Atlanta. After commenting that she had been singing on Disney Cruise Lines (aboard the Disney Wonder) for the past few months as one of the Muses from Hercules, judge Randy Jackson told her, "We're expecting more than a cruise ship performance from you."{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HE26gc5ZB6AC&q=We're%20expecting%20more%20than%20a%20cruise%20ship%20performance%20from%20you&pg=PT32|title=I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down|author=Hudson, Jennifer|year=2012|publisher=Penguin|isbn=9781101565780}} Hudson received the highest number of votes in the "Top 9" after her performance of Elton John's "Circle of Life" on April 6, 2004, but two weeks later, she was eliminated during the "Top 7" show after performing Barry Manilow's, "Weekend in New England".{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1486564/idol-finalist-jennifer-hudson-believes-she-was-robbed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030100200/http://www.mtv.com/news/1486564/idol-finalist-jennifer-hudson-believes-she-was-robbed/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2014|title='Idol' Jennifer Hudson Says She Was Robbed|publisher=MTV|date=April 23, 2004|access-date=September 24, 2017}}{{cite magazine|url=http://people.com/celebrity/jennifer-hudson-moves-to-better-place/|title=Jennifer Hudson Moves to 'Better Place'|magazine=People|author=Silverman, Stephen M.|date=November 8, 2008|access-date=September 24, 2017}} In May 2009, MTV listed Hudson as the sixth greatest contestant in American Idol history and noted her exit was the most shocking of all time.May 21, 2009, The 10 Greatest 'American Idol' Contestants Of All Time: Latest champ Kris Allen didn't make our list, but you might be surprised by who did. James Montgomery, MTV. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110130074859/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611933/10-greatest-american-idol-contestants-all-time.jhtml] In May 2010, the Los Angeles Times claimed Hudson to be the third greatest Idol contestant in the history of the show, placing behind season one winner Kelly Clarkson and season four winner Carrie Underwood respectively.{{cite news|author=Shirley Halperin|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2010/05/the-ultimate-american-idol-power-ranking-after-9-seasons-and-120-contestants-kelly-clarkson-still-re.html|title=The ultimate 'American Idol' power ranking: 120 contestants on, Kelly Clarkson still reigns supreme|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 31, 2010|access-date=March 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311103923/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2010/05/the-ultimate-american-idol-power-ranking-after-9-seasons-and-120-contestants-kelly-clarkson-still-re.html|archive-date=March 11, 2011|url-status=dead}}

In one of her first appearances on a record, Hudson is featured in a duet, "The Future Ain't What It Used to Be", on Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose. In September 2006, Hudson performed the song, "Over It", live on Fox Chicago Morning News. In the interview she stated the song would be included on her debut album, to be released in early 2007; however, this was before she was signed to a record label.{{cite web|date=September 7, 2005|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyUicGJgyGM|url-status=dead|title=Jennifer Hudson sings 'Over It'|publisher=YouTube|access-date=July 9, 2006|archive-date=December 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207091911/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyUicGJgyGM}} In November 2006, Hudson signed a record deal with Arista Records.{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/jennifer-hudson-signs-clive-davis-wbna15841783|title=Jennifer Hudson signs with Clive Davis|date=November 21, 2006|access-date=September 24, 2017|publisher=MSNBC}} Hudson also recorded a song she co-wrote with Bill Grainer and Earl Powell called "Stand Up", which was available for preview on her fan website. The track was produced by Chicago natives Powell and Herman Little III, who also arranged the song.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Jennifer-Hudson-Jennifer-Hudson/release/5715124|title=Jennifer Hudson – Jennifer Hudson (CD, Album) at Discogs|publisher=Discogs|access-date=September 24, 2017}} The power-ballad would later become available on the deluxe edition of Hudson's self-titled album as a bonus track.

In November 2005, Hudson was cast in the role of Effie White for the film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls, which also starred Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles and Eddie Murphy. The role marked Hudson's debut screen performance. She won the role over hundreds of professional singers and actresses, including Fantasia Barrino.{{Cite news|author=Susan Wloszczyna|date=November 16, 2005|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2005-11-16-hudson-dreamgirls_x.htm|title='Idol' finalist Hudson lands lead in 'Dreamgirls' film|work=USA Today|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Filming of Dreamgirls began on January 9, 2006, and the film went into limited release on December 25, 2006, and national release on January 12, 2007. Hudson has won particular praise for her show-stopping onscreen rendition of the hit song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", the signature song of the role, which had earlier been recorded, and had already reached the status of musical standard, because of the definitive performance of Jennifer Holliday. The New York Observer described Hudson's performance of the song as "five mellifluous, molto vibrato minutes that have suddenly catapulted Ms. Hudson... into the position of front-runner for the best supporting actress Oscar".{{cite news|url=http://observer.com/2006/12/idreamgirlsi-wakes-up/|title=Dreamgirls Wakes Up|newspaper=The New York Observer|author=Sara Vilkomerson|date=December 3, 2006|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Newsweek said that when moviegoers hear Hudson sing the song, she, "is going to raise goose bumps across the land."{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/hudson-steals-dreamgirls-flirts-oscar-wbna16056454|title=Hudson steals 'Dreamgirls,' flirts with Oscar|agency=Reuters|date=December 11, 2006|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Variety magazine wrote that Hudson's performance "calls to mind debuts like Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl or Bette Midler in The Rose, with a voice like the young Aretha".{{cite web|url=http://www.darriafilm.com/liza/blog/the_best_of_2006_jennifer_hudsons_rendition_of_and|title=The Best of 2006: Jennifer Hudson's rendition of "And I Am Telling You"|website=Culturekitchen.com|author=Michael Pollan|date=December 22, 2006|access-date=November 9, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

"Love You I Do" was nominated for the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original Song and won the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

File:Jennifer Hudson - Chicago Theatre 07 (2).jpg

As Effie White, Hudson has garnered 29 awards from film critics as Best Supporting Actress and Breakthrough Performer of 2006. She won the Golden Globe Award as Best Actress in a Supporting Role. In addition, she has been named Best Supporting Actress by the Broadcast Film Critics Association and also by the Screen Actors Guild. After seeing Hudson's performance in Dreamgirls, Simon Cowell taped a congratulatory message to her, which aired on The Oprah Winfrey Show.{{cite web|author=Ruben V. Nepales|date=January 17, 2007|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=43821|title=Golden Globe winners have ties, memories of RP|publisher=Global Nation|access-date=September 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012170117/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=43821|archive-date=October 12, 2007|url-status=dead}} With the March 2007 issue, Jennifer Hudson became the third African-American celebrity and the first African-American singer to grace the cover of Vogue magazine.{{cite web |author=WENN|date=February 13, 2007|title=Hudson Makes History with 'Vogue' Cover|website=Hollywood|access-date= September 11, 2007|url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/movies/3657023/jennifer-hudson-makes-history-with-vogue-cover?page=all}}

On February 11, 2007, the 60th British Academy Film Awards were held in London, but Hudson was not there to accept her BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The BAFTA Award went missing and Hudson did not receive her award until April 22, 2011, when it was presented to her on the Graham Norton Show.

On February 25, 2007, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

Later in 2007, the mayor of her home town, Chicago, Richard M. Daley, declared March 6 as "Jennifer Hudson Day".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/mar/07/news5|title=In brief: Chicago celebrates Jennifer Hudson Day|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=March 7, 2007|access-date=September 24, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6426135.stm|title=City honours actress with own day|work=BBC News|date=March 7, 2007|access-date=September 24, 2017}} She was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on June 18, along with 115 other individuals for 2007.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=June 19, 2007|url=http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=entertainment&id=5400194|title=Film Academy Invites 115 New Members|publisher=ABC7|access-date=September 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221030429/http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=entertainment&id=5400194|archive-date=February 21, 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=Leslie Unger|date=June 18, 2007|url=http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2007/07.06.18.html|title=Academy Invites 115 to Become Members|publisher=Oscars|access-date=September 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224094334/http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2007/07.06.18.html|archive-date=December 24, 2007|url-status=dead}} Entertainment Weekly put her performance on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "Sure, Beyoncé's performance was great. And Eddie Murphy's was impressive. But there was really only one reason we all rushed to see 2006's Dreamgirls: Jennifer Hudson's soul-to-the-rafters rendition of the classic 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going'. When she sang 'You're gonna love me,' it wasn't just a lyric — it was a fact."Geier, Thom; Jensen, Jeff; Jordan, Tina; Lyons, Margaret; Markovitz, Adam; Nashawaty, Chris; Pastorek, Whitney; Rice, Lynette; Rottenberg, Josh; Schwartz, Missy; Slezak, Michael; Snierson, Dan; Stack, Tim; Stroup, Kate; Tucker, Ken; Vary, Adam B.; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Ward, Kate (December 11, 2009), "THE 100 Greatest MOVIES, TV SHOWS, ALBUMS, BOOKS, CHARACTERS, SCENES, EPISODES, SONGS, DRESSES, MUSIC VIDEOS, AND TRENDS THAT ENTERTAINED US OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS". Entertainment Weekly. (1079/1080):74-84.

In May 2008, Hudson appeared in the feature film Sex and the City as Louise, Carrie Bradshaw's assistant. Filming finished in December 2007 and the movie was released on May 30, 2008.{{cite news|author=Leslie Simmons|date=September 11, 2007|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hudson-moves-sex-city-movie-149857|title=Hudson moves to 'Sex and the City' movie|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=September 24, 2017}}

In October 2008, Hudson made her third film appearance in The Secret Life of Bees as Rosaleen, the mother figure of Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning). Also starring in the film are fellow Oscar nominees Queen Latifah and Sophie Okonedo, as well as Alicia Keys. The film opened on October 17, 2008, and grossed over $37 million at the box office. The film won two People's Choice Awards in January 2009 in the categories, Favorite Drama Movie and Favorite Independent Movie. The film also received nine Black Reel Awards nominations including three wins. Hudson was nominated for her performance in the film, but lost to Queen Latifah. The film also received eight nominations at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards, including a nomination for Hudson for her performance.

In 2009, Hudson starred as Kathy Archenault in Fragments, a film based on the novel by Roy Freirich, with Dakota Fanning and Forest Whitaker. It was released on DVD on August 4, 2009. In 2010, Hudson started filming the biopic film Winnie Mandela{{cite web|url=http://www.myweku.com/2010/11/jennifer-hudson-and-terrence-howard-winnie-trailer/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129123501/http://www.myweku.com/2010/11/jennifer-hudson-and-terrence-howard-winnie-trailer/|archive-date=January 29, 2013|title=Winnie – Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard|publisher=Myweku.com|date=November 18, 2010|access-date=March 10, 2011}} based on the South African politician Winnie Mandela starring alongside Terrence Howard and directed by Darrell J. Roodt.{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-20/jennifer-hudson-interview-on-winnie-weight-loss-new-album-more/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110222142229/http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-20/jennifer-hudson-interview-on-winnie-weight-loss-new-album-more/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2011|title=Jennifer Hudson Interview on Winnie, Weight Loss, New Album, More|website=The Daily Beast|publisher=archive.is|date=February 20, 2011|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Andre Pieterse and Roodt and Paul L. Johnson based the film's script on Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob's biography, Winnie Mandela: A Life.{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Michael|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/jennifer-hudson-to-star-in-winnie-1118011521/|title=Jennifer Hudson to star in 'Winnie'|website=Variety|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=September 24, 2017}} The Creative Workers Union of South Africa have opposed this choice, stating they will push for a moratorium on the film if the casting is not reversed.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-12-08/s-african-actors-want-hudson-out-of-mandela-film/1173822|title=South African actors 'want Hudson out of Mandela film'|publisher=ABC|date=December 7, 2009|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Winnie Mandela has threatened legal action over this film, claiming she was not "consulted" about the film.{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Sebastien |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/7079001/Winnie-Mandela-threatens-legal-action-over-film.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/7079001/Winnie-Mandela-threatens-legal-action-over-film.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Winnie Mandela threatens legal action over film|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|date=January 26, 2010|access-date=September 24, 2017}}{{cbignore}} Winnie Mandela was originally scheduled to be released in December 2011; the trailer was released in 2010. Image Entertainment released the film on September 6, 2013.{{cite news|title=Jennifer Hudson's Winnie Mandela Trailer Hits the Web—Watch!|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/446963/jennifer-hudson-s-winnie-mandela-trailer-hits-the-web-watch|author=Josh Grossberg|access-date=September 24, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=61005|title=Winnie Mandela @ ComingSoon.net|publisher=Comingsoon.net|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-date=December 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211201648/http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=61005|url-status=dead}}

In January 2008, Hudson returned to the studio to record new songs for her debut studio album. Her label was reportedly unhappy with the direction they were sending Hudson musically and decided it would be best to scrap the older songs and instead focus on new ones. Hudson worked with Ryan Tedder and Timbaland on a number of songs. Her debut single, "Spotlight" was released on June 10, 2008, and became Hudson's first top 40 hit peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a top 20 hit in the United Kingdom and Turkey.

Her debut studio album, Jennifer Hudson, was released on September 30, 2008, on Arista and was written by Ne-Yo, who co-produced along with Stargate. Additional contributors on the album include Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Robin Thicke, Harvey Mason, Jr., Diane Warren, Earl Powell, and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, among others.{{cite magazine|author=Jonathan Cohen|date=May 19, 2008|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045358/debut-jennifer-hudson-album-due-in-september|title=Debut Jennifer Hudson Album Due In September|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 24, 2017}} The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with 217,000 copies in the US and opened to positive reviews. As of August 2009, the album has sold 739,000 copies in the US, receiving a Gold certification for surpassing sales of 500,000. She has performed the song, "All Dressed in Love" for the Sex and the City soundtrack, which was released on May 27, 2008.{{cite web|author=Wilson Morales|date=May 7, 2008|url=http://www.blackfilm.com/20080502/features/jenniferhudson.shtml|title=Sex and the City: The Movie|publisher=Black Film|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Hudson performed the national anthem at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

The album's second single was to be released in October 2008, and was originally set to be "My Heart" before "If This Isn't Love" was chosen as the official second single. After three of her family members were brutally murdered, the single was rescheduled for a January 2009 release. However, in January 2009, her label decided to postpone the release of the second single once more, choosing a February 2009 release date. After the release of "If This Isn't Love", the single eventually peaked at number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 37 on the UK Singles Chart. The third single was "Pocketbook" featuring Ludacris in April 2009, for a June 2009 release, despite speculation that the third single would be "My Heart" after it was canceled as the second single. In May 2009, "Pocketbook" was canceled as the third single due to negative reception from fans and critics alike. The third single was then rescheduled as "Giving Myself" and was released on June 2, 2009, to the US. Her debut album garnered Hudson three nominations at the 2009 Grammy Awards: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Spotlight", Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "I'm His Only Woman" with Fantasia Barrino, and Best R&B Album for Jennifer Hudson. She won the last of these and performed at the awards ceremony.{{cite news|url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/carrie-underwood-and-jennifer-hudson-perform-at-grammy-awards-8302.php|author=John Bracchitta|title=Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson to perform at Grammy Awards|date=January 19, 2009|access-date=September 24, 2017}}

File:Jennifer Hudson sings national anthem at Super Bowl 43 (cropped1) (cropped).jpg, including her mother, sings the "National Anthem" at Super Bowl XLIII]]

In February 2009, Hudson made her first public appearance since the murders when she sang the Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XLIII.{{cite web|title=Jennifer Hudson Wasn't Singing|access-date=August 7, 2009|publisher=inmusic.ca|url=http://inmusic.ca/Bell.Sympatico.CMS/CmsTemplates/JE/Music/FeedsArticleTemplate.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID={18F882D2-DE30-4310-A41D-DE375A211539}&NRORIGINALURL=%2fnews_and_features%2fcontentposting_news%3fnewsitemid%3d27410%26feedname%3dBUM_MUSIC_NEWS_EN%26show%3dFalse%26number%3d0%26showbyline%3dTrue%26subtitle%3d%26detect%3d%26abc%3dabc%26date%3dFalse&NRCACHEHINT=Guest&feedname=BUM_MUSIC_NEWS_EN&number=0&newsitemid=27410&showbyline=True&abc=abc&show=False&date=False&ICPAGENO=2#IC_TOP}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}{{cite web|date=February 1, 2009|title=Hudson's Emotional Return|publisher=Yahoo! Music|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/132160/jennifer-hudsons-super-return|access-date=February 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205202905/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/132160/jennifer-hudsons-super-return|archive-date=February 5, 2009|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|url=http://people.com/celebrity/jennifer-hudson-to-sing-national-anthem-at-super-bowl/|title=Jennifer Hudson to Sing National Anthem at Super Bowl|magazine=People|date=January 14, 2009|access-date=September 24, 2017}} She toured the United States with Robin Thicke in 2009.{{cite news|url=http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090202/D96342300.html|title=Hudson performs for first time since Oct slayings|publisher=Apnews.myway.com|access-date=September 24, 2017}} In early May 2009, Hudson suffered "throat fatigue" and had to reschedule her May 16–19, 2009, tour dates.{{cite web|url=http://www.singersroom.com/news/3765/Jennifer-Hudson-Takes-Throat-Forced-Break-From-Tour-Postpones-Final-Dates|title=Jennifer Hudson Takes Throat Forced Break From Tour, Postpones Final Dates|website=Singersroom.com|date=May 5, 2009|access-date=September 24, 2017}} She sang "Will You Be There" at the Michael Jackson memorial service in July 2009.{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/07/michael-jackson-memorial-jennifer-hudson-sings-will-you-be-there.html|title=Michael Jackson memorial: Jennifer Hudson sings 'Will You Be There'|last=Powers|first=Ann|author2=Martens, Todd|date=July 7, 2009|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Hudson recorded "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)", originally by Gladys Knight & the Pips, for American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classics — the official American Idol album for the third season. She is featured on Ne-Yo's second album, Because of You, on the track, "Leaving Tonight". Hudson performed a Christmas special in December 2009 called Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas. During the special, she relived her childhood Christmases with musical performances filmed at her favorite locations in her native Chicago. Hudson also visited family members, friends and other childhood influences during the broadcast.{{cite news|author=Joyce Eng|title=Jennifer Hudson Locks in Christmas Special|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/jennifer-hudson-locks-1010599/|magazine=TV Guide|date=October 7, 2009|access-date=September 24, 2017}} On January 22, 2010, Hudson appeared on the telethon "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", performing the Beatles' "Let it Be". The telecast generated $61 million in donations {{as of|2010|January|26|lc=y|df=US}}.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/445900-Hope_For_Haiti_s_Total_Now_At_61_Million_And_Counting.php|title=Hope For Haiti's Total Now At $61 Million – And Counting|magazine=Multichannel News|date=January 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616065927/http://www.multichannel.com/article/445900-Hope_For_Haiti_s_Total_Now_At_61_Million_And_Counting.php|archive-date=June 16, 2011|url-status=dead}} Also, that year, Hudson recorded the song "One Shining Moment" for the 2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.

File:Jennifer Hudson 2011 AA (cropped).jpg in 2011]]

In 2010, Hudson became the spokesperson for Weight Watchers.{{cite web|title=Jennifer Hudson Is the New Face–and Body!–of Weight Watchers|url=http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2010/04/01/jennifer-hudson-is-weight-watchers-new-face/|website=People|author=Michelle Tan|date=April 1, 2010|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306122256/http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2010/04/01/jennifer-hudson-is-weight-watchers-new-face/|archive-date=March 6, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Jennifer Hudson: New face of Weight Watchers|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/04/01/jennifer.hudson.weight.watchers.ppl/index.html|agency=CNN|date=April 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408080507/http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/04/01/jennifer.hudson.weight.watchers.ppl/index.html|archive-date=April 8, 2010|url-status=dead}} That year, she had lost {{convert|56|lb}} and "[did] not want to lose any more weight."{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalledger.com/ledgerpop/article_272633766.shtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906080331/http://www.nationalledger.com/ledgerpop/article_272633766.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2012|title=Jennifer Hudson Instyle Confession – Size 16 to 6 and Lost 56 Pounds|website=National Ledger|date=August 4, 2010|access-date=September 24, 2017}} However, on February 10, 2011, she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and revealed she had lost a total of 80 pounds.{{cite web|url=http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Jennifer-Hudsons-Incredible-Weight-Loss-Journey/2|title=Jennifer Hudson's Incredible Weight Loss|website=Oprah.com|date=February 10, 2011|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Her 2012 autobiography, I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down, detailed her weight loss.{{cite web|last=Swerdlick|first=David|author-link=David Swerdlick|url=http://www.theroot.com/views/jennifer-hudson-pens-new-memoir|title=I Got This: Jennifer Hudson's Latest Book|website=Theroot.com|date=December 21, 2011|access-date=April 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406185533/http://www.theroot.com/views/jennifer-hudson-pens-new-memoir|archive-date=April 6, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Arceneaux|first=Michael|url=https://www.bet.com/article/9j9zpr/jennifer-hudson-lands-book-deal|title=Jennifer Hudson Lands Book Deal|publisher=BET|date=June 7, 2011|access-date=September 24, 2017}}I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down, Jennifer Hudson. New York: Dutton (2012) {{ISBN|978-0525952770}}

Early in the album I Remember Me{{'}}s development, Ne-Yo told E! Online that Hudson was ready to get personal on her second studio album and that he might be producing the album. He said "She's gone through a lot over the last year, so she has a lot to talk about", he continues. "She's definitely gotten stronger. The things that she's gone through and for her to still be upbeat and happy, it's amazing."{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b145009_who_wants_whitney_jennifer_hudson_duet.html|title=Who Wants a Whitney & Jennifer Hudson Duet?|publisher= E! Online|date=September 18, 2009|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Hudson released her second studio album I Remember Me on March 22, 2011. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 selling 165,000 copies in its first week of release.{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2011/03/chris-brown-jennifer-hudson-debut-in-the-billboard-200s-two-top-spots/1|author=Brian Mansfield|work=USA Today|title=Chris Brown, Jennifer Hudson debut in The Billboard 200's two top spots|publisher=Content.usatoday.com|date=March 30, 2011|access-date=September 24, 2017}}

File:Jennifer-Hudson 2012-01-17 Barnes-Noble Chicago photoby Adam-Bielawski.jpg

On January 24, 2011, Hudson premiered the album's lead single "Where You At".[http://irememberme.jenniferhudson.com/uncategorized/where-you-at Review] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301045807/http://irememberme.jenniferhudson.com/uncategorized/where-you-at |date=March 1, 2011 }} It was written by R. Kelly and produced by Harvey Mason, Jr.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/01/20/new-music-jennifer-hudson-where-you-at-snippet|title=Snippet|website=Rap-Up.com|access-date=September 24, 2017}} The song went for radio adds that same week.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=jennifer hudson|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|title=Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts|language=fr|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 24, 2017}} On February 3, 2011, due to radio adds the single made its debut on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number 53,{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=jennifer hudson|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|title=Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts |magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 24, 2017}}{{clarify|date=September 2017}} having so far reached a peak of number 10.[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=jennifer hudson|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}} Hudson's chart history] at Billboard.com The music video premiered on BET's 106 & Park and through Vevo in February 2011.{{cite web|url=http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2011/02/first-look-jennifer-hudsons-where-you-at-stills-plus-ellen-performance.html|title=FIRST LOOK: Jennifer Hudson's "Where You At" Video + "Ellen"|publisher=Rodonline.typepad.com|date=February 18, 2011|access-date=September 24, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/02/17/first-look-at-jennifer-hudsons-where-you-at-video/|title=First Look at Jennifer Hudson's "Where You At" Video|publisher=Rap-Up.com|date=February 17, 2011|access-date=September 24, 2017}} "No One Gonna Love You" impacted on Urban adult contemporary radio in the United States in May 2011. A remix bundle, "No One Gonna Love You-The Remixes", was released as a digital download in the US and the UK in July 2011.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-one-gonna-love-you-remixes/450499009|title=iTunes – Music – No One Gonna Love You (Remixes) by Jennifer Hudson|publisher=iTunes|date=July 13, 2011|access-date=September 24, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gonna-Jason-Nevins-Extended-Remix/dp/B005EFVW44/|title=No One Gonna Love You (Jason Nevins Extended Remix): Jennifer Hudson: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads|website=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=September 24, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a326368/jennifer-hudson-confirms-new-single-no-one-gonna-love-you.html|title=Jennifer Hudson confirms new single 'No One Gonna Love You' – Music News|website=Digital Spy|date=June 23, 2011 |access-date=September 24, 2017}} The song has reached number 23 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.{{cite news|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Week of June 16, 2011|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=jennifer hudson|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|access-date=September 24, 2017|newspaper=Billboard}} The third US single will be "I Got This".{{cite web|url=http://thatgrapejuice.net/2011/09/jennifer-hudsons-single/|title=Jennifer Hudson's Next Single Will Be... - ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::.. -- Thirsty?|publisher=Thatgrapejuice.net|date=September 21, 2011|access-date=September 24, 2017}} The non-single track "Don't Look Down" reached number 70 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.{{cite news|title=Jennifer Hudson Music News & Info|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=jennifer hudson|chart=all}}|access-date=September 24, 2017|newspaper=Billboard|date=July 5, 2011}}

Hudson played a nun in the Farrelly brothers film The Three Stooges (2012).{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jennifer-hudson-cast-as-a-193953|title=Jennifer Hudson Cast as a Nun in 'Three Stooges'|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 1, 2011|access-date=September 24, 2017}} The day after the death of Whitney Houston, Hudson paid tribute to her by singing Houston's "I Will Always Love You" during the 54th Grammy Awards held on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/12/jennifer-hudson-whitney-houston-grammys-tribute_n_1271952.html|title=Jennifer Hudson's Whitney Houston Grammy Tribute, "I Will Always Love You"|work=HuffPost|date=February 14, 2012|access-date=September 24, 2017|author=Kia Makarechi}} Hudson guest-starred for a multi-episode arc on the second season of Smash.{{cite magazine|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/06/22/jennifer-hudson-smash/|title=Jennifer Hudson joins NBC's 'Smash'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 22, 2012|access-date=September 24, 2017}} She sang "America the Beautiful" with the Sandy Hook Elementary School chorus at Super Bowl XLVII.{{cite web|url=http://news-briefs.ew.com/2013/01/31/super-bowl-sandy-hook-chorus/|title=Update: Jennifer Hudson to sing with Sandy Hook chorus|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|agency=Associated Press|date=January 31, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-date=October 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026181044/http://news-briefs.ew.com/2013/01/31/super-bowl-sandy-hook-chorus/|url-status=dead}} Hudson sang at the 85th Academy Awards in a tribute to musical films.{{cite magazine|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/02/20/jennifer-hudson-catherine-zeta-jones-russell-crowe-oscars/|author=Samantha Highfill|title=Jennifer Hudson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and 'Les Mis' cast to sing at Oscars|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 20, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2017}} She performed "Same Love" with Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, and Mary Lambert at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/25/macklemore-vma-performance-ryan-lewis-same-love_n_3791670.html|title=Macklemore VMA Performance: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Play 'Same Love' At Barclays|work=HuffPost|date=August 25, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2017}}

File:Jennifer Hudson at the Commander in Chief's Ball at the Washington Convention Center 130121-A-TT930-092.jpg

On September 21, 2013, a new single from Hudson's forthcoming third studio album was released via her website. The 70s stylized uptempo ballad, "I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel)", features T.I. with production by Pharrell, she performed this song alongside Chaka Khan, Evelyn Champagne King, and T.I. at the 2013 Soul Train Awards.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/22/jennifer-hudson-i-cant-describe-the-way-i-feel-ti-pharrell_n_3972018.html|title=Jennifer Hudson's 'I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel)'|work=HuffPost|date=September 22, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2017}} In October 2013, Hudson starred in the coming of age drama The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete alongside Jordin Sparks as well as the drama/musical Black Nativity. Furthermore, she appears alongside Amy Adams in the drama Lullaby. On November 13, 2013, Hudson was awarded with the 2,512th star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.{{cite news|last=Toomey|first=Alyssa|date=November 13, 2013|title=Jennifer Hudson Honored With Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame—Take a Look!|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/480875/jennifer-hudson-honored-with-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame-take-a-look|publisher=E! Online|access-date=September 24, 2017}}

Hudson's third studio album, JHUD, was released on September 23, 2014. Hudson described the album as more "upbeat" than her previous material. She worked with Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, RedOne, Iggy Azalea and R. Kelly among others. RedOne said about the material: "It's not dance dance, but it's soulful dance. It's very '70s kinda style".{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/rap-up-tv/rap-up-tv-redone-talks-jennifer-lopez-lady-gaga-and-jennifer-hudson/|title=Rap-Up TV: RedOne Talks Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, and Jennifer Hudson|publisher=Rap-Up.com|date=May 27, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Hudson stated: "What we're doing feels so right that I never want to go home (from the studio). My sister and my manager will be sleeping on the couch while we work until 4 or 5am".{{cite web|url=http://thatgrapejuice.net/2013/08/jennifer-hudson-stuns-angeleno-dishes-album/#ixzz2duPtzKLI|title=Jennifer Hudson Stuns In 'Angeleno' / Dishes On New Album - ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::.. -- Thirsty?|publisher=Thatgrapejuice.net|date=August 28, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2017}}

Hudson confirmed that a song on the album will be "It's Your World" and features R. Kelly, in an interview with Jonathan Ross on The Jonathan Ross Show. The track went on to be nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance at the 2015 Grammy Awards. On June 20, she released the music video for "Walk it Out" featuring Timbaland, which is the first single off her upcoming album. Her third album, JHUD, would include "different expressions of [Hudson] as an artist, a girl, [and] a music lover".{{cite news|last1=Lopez|first1=Korina|title=Ready for the title of Jennifer Hudson's album? 'JHUD'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/07/03/ready-for-the-title-of-jennifer-hudsons-album-jhud/12154781/|access-date=September 24, 2017|work=USA Today|date=July 3, 2014}}

At the 87th Academy Awards, Hudson performed her song (originally from NBC's Smash) "I Can't Let Go" by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman as a tribute to the individuals Hollywood lost in the previous year.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/oscars/6480247/oscars-2015-jennifer-hudson-i-cant-let-go-in-memoriam|title=Oscars 2015: Jennifer Hudson Performs 'I Can't Let Go' for In Memoriam|magazine=Billboard|date=February 23, 2015|access-date=October 2, 2018}}

In February 2015, Jennifer together with her previous collaborator Iggy Azalea released "Trouble". It’s their second collaboration after Iggy was featured on her JHUD album on "He Ain't Goin' Nowhere". On Radio Disney, Iggy revealed that the collaboration happened after their previous work, she liked her voice and wanted Jennifer to sing the hook for it. They performed the song together for the first time on February 4, 2015 on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, following performances on Clive Davis and The Recording Academy's annual pre-Grammy Gala, 2015 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, 2015 iHeartRadio Music Awards and on American Idol season 14. The accompanied music video was released on Iggy’s YouTube channel on 27 February 2015 and as of 2024 it gained 112 million views, making it Jennifer’s first 100 million and most viewed video on that platform. "Trouble" appeared on Iggy’s Reclassified album.{{cite web |title=Iggy Azalea & Jennifer Hudson's "Trouble" Video: Iggy Gets Caught With a Bad Boy |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/iggy-azalea-jennifer-hudsons-trouble-778251/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 27, 2015 |access-date=25 September 2024}}{{cite magazine |title=Jennifer Hudson: Iggy Azalea 'Inspired My Creativity' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/jennifer-hudson-iggy-azalea-trouble-video-6480164/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=25 September 2024}}

Later in 2015, Hudson guest-starred as Michelle White, a minor semi-recurring character in the first season of Empire. She sang three songs on the show, "Remember the Music", "Whatever Makes You Happy", and "For My God".

Hudson helped welcome Pope Francis on his first visit to the United States by singing her rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6708103/pope-francis-jennifer-hudson-gloria-estafan-harry-connick-jr--nyc-madison-square-garden|title=Jennifer Hudson, Gloria Estefan, Harry Connick Jr. & More Welcome Pope in NYC: Watch|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 2, 2018}}

In fall 2015, Hudson made her Broadway debut as Shug Avery in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple, alongside Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks. New York Times critic Ben Brantley hailed her performance saying, "Ms. Hudson radiates a lush, supple stage presence that is echoed by her velvet voice."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/11/theater/review-the-color-purple-on-broadway-stripped-to-its-essence.html|title=Review: 'The Color Purple' on Broadway, Stripped to Its Essence|work=The New York Times |date=December 11, 2015 |access-date=October 2, 2018|last1=Brantley |first1=Ben }} Hudson later picked up her second career Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album (2017) for her work on The Color Purple."{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/the-color-purple-cast-album-wins-the-grammy|title=The Color Purple Cast Album Wins the Grammy - Playbill|website=Playbill.com|date=February 12, 2017|access-date=October 2, 2018}}

In June 2016, Hudson performed Prince's "Purple Rain", on the BET Awards, which she had previously sung onstage with the cast of The Color Purple,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6KUTL0PXl0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/W6KUTL0PXl0| archive-date=2021-10-28|title=A Tribute to Prince from the cast of The Color Purple - THE COLOR PURPLE on Broadway|last=The Color Purple|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2018|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} the day Prince died.{{cite web|url=http://people.com/awards/bet-awards-2016-prince-tribute-features-jennifer-hudson-stevie-wonder/|title=Jennifer Hudson, Sheila E., Stevie Wonder, Janelle Monée and More Honor Prince with Stunning BET Awards Tributes|website=People|access-date=October 2, 2018}}

On June 28, 2016, Hudson signed with Epic Records. L.A. Reid and Clive Davis are joining forces for the first time since Whitney Houston's The Bodyguard soundtrack 25 years ago. "Jennifer Hudson is the defining voice of this generation", said Reid. "Her award-winning presence on records, in film and on stage establishes her as one of the premiere artists to emerge in this century." Davis says: "I signed Jennifer in 2007 believing her to be the strongest candidate as the next generation's Aretha Franklin and Whitney. She has become that, as LA and I excitingly reunite to capture Jennifer at her all-time best."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7423121/jennifer-hudson-signs-with-epic-records-deal|title=Jennifer Hudson Signs With Epic Records|magazine=Billboard|date=June 28, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2018}}

Meanwhile, Hudson picked up a few minor film roles, including in Spike Lee's musical Chi-Raq, and HBO's Confirmation, alongside Kerry Washington.

In December 2016, Hudson played scene-stealer Motormouth Maybelle in NBC's Hairspray Live!. Her version of the Civil Rights-themed ballad "I Know Where I've Been", blew audiences away, garnering Emmy buzz from fans and critics alike.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/12/08/jennifer-hudson-hairspray-live-i-know-where-ive-been-video/95136074/|title=Watch: Jennifer Hudson dominates 'Hairspray Live!' with one powerful number|website=USA Today|access-date=October 2, 2018}} During the credit sequence, Hudson duets with costar Ariana Grande on Shaiman and Wittman's "Come So Far".

Hudson lent her voice to the younger version of the character Nana Noodleman in the Illumination Entertainment film, Sing, which was released December 21, 2016. In the film, she sang The Beatles' classic, "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight", which was the recurring musical theme of the film. On the deluxe soundtrack, Hudson sings with Tori Kelly on a duet version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack-Deluxe/dp/B01MXLREV4|title=Amazon.com: Sing (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack / Deluxe): Various artists: MP3 Downloads|website=Amazon|date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222090319/https://www.amazon.com/Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack-Deluxe/dp/B01MXLREV4|access-date=October 11, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2016}}

Hudson starred as singer Courtney Clarke in the film, Sandy Wexler, which premiered in April 2017.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/sandy-wexler-review-adam-sandler-1202031449/|title=Film Review: Adam Sandler's 'Sandy Wexler'|first=Peter|last=Debruge|date=April 15, 2017|website=Variety|access-date=October 2, 2018}} In early 2017, Hudson debuted in The Voice franchise as a coach on the sixth season of The Voice UK.{{cite news|last1=Darvill|first1=Josh|title=The Voice UK 2017 coaches CONFIRMED! Sir Tom Jones is back and Jennifer Hudson joins|url=http://www.tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/the-voice/280107-voice-uk-2017-coaches-confirmed-sir-tom-jones-back-jennifer-hudson-joins.html|access-date=September 29, 2016|work=TellyMix|date=December 29, 2016|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713042631/https://tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/the-voice/280107-voice-uk-2017-coaches-confirmed-sir-tom-jones-back-jennifer-hudson-joins.html|url-status=dead}} She won the season with her act Mo Adeniran and became the first female coach to win the show. Hudson had joined the American version of The Voice as a coach for its thirteenth season.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/jennifer-hudson-boards-nbc-the-voice-coach-1202089200/|title=Jennifer Hudson Boards NBC's 'The Voice' As Season 13 Coach|first=Greg|last=Evans|date=May 10, 2017|website=Deadline|access-date=October 2, 2018}}

Hudson released "Remember Me" on March 3, 2017. On December 12, 2017, she released another new song, "Burden Down". The same day, Hudson performed "Remember Me" live for the first time on the semi-final result night of The Voice. Later, a music video for the single was also released.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/burden-down-single/1323308250|title=Burden Down - Single by Jennifer Hudson|date=December 12, 2017|website=iTunes|access-date=October 2, 2018}}

Hudson returned for her second series as a coach to The Voice UK; her second series premiered on January 6, 2018, and concluded on April 7, where Hudson's finalist Belle Voci finished third. On January 27, 2018, Clive Davis disclosed that Hudson had been handpicked by Aretha Franklin to portray her in an eventual biopic with a prospective release date in 2021.{{cite magazine|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|title=Jennifer Hudson to Portray Aretha Franklin in Biopic|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jennifer-hudson-to-portray-aretha-franklin-in-biopic-w515988|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 11, 2018|date=January 28, 2018|archive-date=June 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630235940/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jennifer-hudson-to-portray-aretha-franklin-in-biopic-w515988|url-status=dead}}

Jennifer Hudson performed with the D.C. Choir at the March for Our Lives anti-gun violence rally in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 2018.CBS Miami. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TnTbo0wCN8 "Jennifer Hudson, D.C. Choir Perform At March For Our Lives"]. (March 24, 2018).C-SPAN. [https://www.c-span.org/video/?442255-1/march-lives-rally-coverage "March for Our Lives Rally"]. (March 24, 2018). Hudson returned as a coach for the fifteenth season of the American version of The Voice after taking a one-season hiatus.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/the-voice-kelly-clarkson-jennifer-hudson-returning-coaches-1202387978|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511041253/http://deadline.com/2018/05/the-voice-kelly-clarkson-jennifer-hudson-returning-coaches-1202387978/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2018|title='The Voice': Kelly Clarkson & Jennifer Hudson Returning As Coaches For Season 15|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|date=May 11, 2018|website=Deadline|access-date=May 18, 2018|language=en-US}} Her final act, Kennedy Holmes, finished in fourth place overall. Hudson returned for The Voice UK{{'}}s eighth series.{{cite news|url=https://www.channel24.co.za/TV/News/jennifer-hudson-william-olly-murs-and-sir-tom-jones-return-as-coaches-on-the-voice-uk-20190101|title=Jennifer Hudson, will.i.am, Olly Murs, and Sir Tom Jones return as coaches on The Voice UK|publisher=Channel24|date=January 1, 2019|access-date=January 1, 2019}} In 2018, Hudson was cast as the Cats character Grizabella in the film adaptation, which was released in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Jennifer-Hudson-Joins-CATS-Film-Adaptation-as-Grizabella-20180719|title=Jennifer Hudson Joins CATS Film Adaptation as Grizabella; Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, and James Corden In Talks|date=July 19, 2018|website=Broadway World|access-date=July 19, 2018}}

In March 2020, Hudson collaborated with Bono, Will.i.am, and Yoshiki to create "#SING4LIFE", a song written and compiled remotely by the four musicians to lift spirits during the COVID-19 crisis.{{Cite magazine|title=Bono, Will.I.Am, Jennifer Hudson & Yoshiki Collab on "Sing For Life"|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9341336/bono-will-i-am-jennifer-hudson-yoshiki-sing-for-life|date=2020-03-24|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-05-12}}

On July 20, 2021, Hudson was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey about her role as Aretha Franklin in the film, Respect.{{Cite web|title=WATCH: Oprah Winfrey sits down with Jennifer Hudson to talk about new film|url=https://www.jacarandafm.com/shows/scenic-drive-rian/watch-oprah-winfrey-sits-down-jennifer-hudson-talk-about-new-film/|date=2021-08-03|website=jacarandafm|access-date=2021-08-23}} The Aretha Franklin bio-pic, Respect, was directed by Liesl Tommy and was released in August 2021.{{cite web|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|title=Liesl Tommy to Direct Aretha Franklin Biopic 'Respect'|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/mgm-aretha-franklin-biopic-respect-draws-liesl-tommy-1203104622/|website=Variety|access-date=January 21, 2019|date=January 10, 2019}} Hudson's performance earned her the Chairman's Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival as well as a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.{{cite web|title=Jennifer Hudson to Receive Chairman's Award at Palm Springs Film Festival |url=https://www.thewrap.com/jennifer-hudson-palm-springs-film-festival-chairmans-award/ |first=Brian |last=Welk |work=The Wrap |date=November 22, 2021 |access-date=February 3, 2022}}[https://deadline.com/2022/01/sag-awards-nominations-2020-list-film-tv-nominees-screen-actors-guild-1234908756/ SAG Awards Nominations: 'House Of Gucci', 'Power Of The Dog', 'Succession', 'Ted Lasso' Top Lists] Deadline Hollywood, January 12, 2022 The film was accompanied by a soundtrack sung entirely by Hudson featuring covers of several of Franklin's songs with one original song for Hudson, "Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)", being released as the soundtracks lead single in June 2021.{{Cite web|last=McCollum|first=Brian|title=Get a first look at never-before-seen photos of Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in 'Respect' biopic|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/06/29/aretha-franklin-respect-movie-jennifer-hudson-photos-video-poster/3277670001/|access-date=2020-06-30|website=USA Today|language=en-US}} The song earned Hudson nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.[https://variety.com/2021/film/news/golden-globes-nominations-list-nominees-1235129390/ Golden Globes 2022: The Complete Nominations List] Variety, December 13, 2021{{Cite web|date=2021-11-23|title=2022 GRAMMYs Awards: Complete Nominations List|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2022-grammys-complete-winners-nominees-nominations-list|access-date=2022-06-14|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en}} The film's soundtrack received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.[https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2022-grammys-complete-winners-nominees-nominations-list 2022 Nominations List] Retrieved June 14, 2022

On August 19, 2021, Hudson performed a show at the Apollo Theater called Jennifer Hudson - Live at the Apollo: A Night of Soul.{{Cite web|title=Jennifer Hudson Performs at the Apollo Theater, NY! Presented by MASTERCARD!|url=https://la-story.com/2021/08/jennifer-hudson-performs-at-the-apollo-theater-ny-presented-by-mastercard/?amp|date=2021-08-20|website=la-story|access-date=2021-08-23}}

On August 21, Hudson performed "Nessun Dorma" at We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert backed by New York Philharmonic in Central Park.{{Cite web|title=Watch Jennifer Hudson Perform 'Nessun Dorma' at NYC 'Homecoming' Concert|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jennifer-hudson-nessun-dorma-nyc-homecoming-concert-1215183/|date=2021-08-21|website=rollingstone|access-date=2021-08-23}}

In September 2021, Hudson won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program for being an executive producer for Baba Yaga, a 27-minute interactive fairytale story made for Oculus Quest.{{Cite magazine|last=Lash|first=Jolie|title=Jennifer Hudson's a Tony away from an EGOT with new Emmy — and she's already got the ring for it|url=https://ew.com/tv/jennifer-hudson-emmy-win-egot-ring/|date=2021-09-09|magazine=ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY|access-date=2021-09-11}}

In February 2022, Jennifer Hudson was one of the night's major winners at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards. She won the Entertainer of the Year and Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in the film Respect.{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2022 |title=NAACP Image Awards 2022: See who won |pages=1 |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/26/entertainment/naacp-image-award-winners-2022/index.html |access-date=March 1, 2022}} In May 2022, Hudson received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Musical for serving as a producer for the Broadway musical, A Strange Loop.{{Cite web|last=Strause|first=Jackie|title=Jennifer Hudson Is One Step Closer to EGOT Status After Tony Nomination|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/jennifer-hudson-tony-nomination-egot-strange-loop-1235143263/|date=2022-05-09|website=THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER|access-date=2022-05-09}} On June 12, 2022, Hudson became one of seventeen people to have won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony ("an EGOT") at the 75th Tony Awards.{{Cite web|last=Nordyke|first=Kimberly|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/jennifer-hudson-egot-tony-a-strange-loop-1235292057/|title=Jennifer Hudson EGOTs With Tony Win for Producing 'A Strange Loop'|date=June 12, 2022|work=Variety|access-date=June 13, 2022}} She appeared in the 2022 film Tell It Like a Woman and starred in the 2024 science fiction thriller Breathe.{{Cite news |date=May 10, 2022 |title=Cannes: Jennifer Hudson, Common, Milla Jovovich, Quvenzhane Wallis to Star in Action-Thriller 'Breathe' |pages=1 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jennifer-hudson-common-milla-jovovich-quvenzhane-wallis-breathe-1235143850/ |access-date=May 11, 2022}}{{Cite web|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|title=Samuel Goldwyn Acquires 'Tell It Like A Woman' Whose All-Star Cast & Director Lineup Includes Taraji P. Henson, Jennifer Hudson, Cara Delevingne, Eva Longoria & Jacqueline Fernandez; Diane Warren & Sofia Carson Team For Original Song|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/eva-longoria-jacqueline-fernandez-taraji-henson-cara-delevingne-sofia-carson-dianne-warren-movie-tell-like-is-1235059495/|date=July 7, 2022|access-date=July 7, 2022|website=Deadline Hollywood}}

Hudson's syndicated talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, launched on September 12, 2022.{{Cite magazine|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|title=Here's When Jennifer Hudson's Daytime Talk Show Will Premiere|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/jennifer-hudson-show-premiere-date-1235089289/|date=June 16, 2022|access-date=June 16, 2022|magazine=Billboard}} On October 18, 2024, Hudson released her first Christmas album, The Gift of Love and embraced The Gift of Love: An Intimate Live Experience, a tour in the United States.{{cite magazine |last1=Mier|first1=Tomás|title=Jennifer Hudson Announces First-Ever Christmas Album 'The Gift of Love'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jennifer-hudson-christmas-album-the-gift-of-love-track-list-1235097084/|magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=October 23, 2024 |date=September 6, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Fields |first=Taylor |date=November 5, 2024 |title=Jennifer Hudson Giving 'The Gift Of Love' With Holiday Tour |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2024-11-05-jennifer-hudson-giving-the-gift-of-love-with-holiday-tour/ |access-date=November 12, 2024 |website=iHeartRadio}}

Hudson began dating James Payton in 1999, when she was 18.Barbara Walters' Oscar Special, 2007 They separated in late 2007.

Hudson later met David Otunga, a professional wrestler in the WWE and a Harvard Law graduate,Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/davidotunga|title=David Otunga|publisher=WWE.com|access-date=April 9, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=http://abovethelaw.com/david_otunga/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080916162150/http://abovethelaw.com/david_otunga/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 16, 2008|title=Harvard Law Grad|publisher=Abovethelaw.com|date=October 12, 2007|access-date=March 10, 2011}}
• {{Cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2008/09/is-jennifer-hud.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|title=Jennifer Hudson's new reality: She's engaged to David Otunga|access-date=May 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002183053/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2008/09/is-jennifer-hud.html|archive-date=October 2, 2011|url-status=dead}} and the couple became engaged in September 2008.{{cite web|date=September 14, 2008|url=http://people.com/celebrity/jennifer-hudson-engaged-to-boyfriend-david-otunga/|title=Jennifer Hudson Engaged to Boyfriend Gary Otunga|website=People|access-date=September 24, 2017}} In August 2009, Hudson gave birth to her first child, son David Daniel Otunga Jr.{{cite web|title=Jennifer Hudson Welcomes a Son|first=Missy|last=Ritti|date=August 11, 2009|url=http://people.com/babies/jennifer-hudson-welcomes-a-son/|access-date=September 24, 2017}} In November 2017, Hudson's representative announced that Hudson and Otunga had separated after over 10 years together.{{cite magazine|url=http://people.com/music/jennifer-hudson-fiance-david-otunga-split/|title=Jennifer Hudson and Fiance David Otunga Split|magazine=People|author=Mizoguchi, Karen|date=November 17, 2017|access-date=November 17, 2017}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chicagoinc/ct-ent-jennifer-hudson-david-otunga-20180216-story.html |title=Jennifer Hudson, ex appear in court in Chicago as custody battle continues |last=Swartz |first=Tracy |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=August 22, 2018 |language=en-US}}

On October 24, 2008, Hudson's 57-year-old mother Darnell Donerson and 29-year-old brother Jason Hudson were found shot to death inside the Chicago home Donerson shared with Hudson's older sister, Julia.{{cite news|date=October 24, 2008|title=Jennifer Hudson's Mom, Brother Shot to Death|work=KLTA News|url=http://www.ktla.com/landing_topstories/?Jennifer-Hudsons-Mom-Brother-Shot-to-Dea=1&blockID=117236&feedID=1198|access-date=October 25, 2008}}{{dead link|date=May 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }} An AMBER Alert was issued for her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, when Julia reported him missing.{{Cite news | date = October 24, 2008|title=Mother, brother of Jennifer Hudson killed|work=ABC Local|url=http://abc7ny.com/archive/6468948/|access-date=September 24, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Gorner|first=Jeremy|author2=Heinzmann, David|author3=Janega, James|author4=Rozas, Angela|date=October 24, 2008|title=Sources: Jennifer Hudson relative slain; child missing|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|url=http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/10/double-homicide-on-south-side.html|access-date=October 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025131700/http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/10/double-homicide-on-south-side.html|archive-date=October 25, 2008|url-status=dead}} Three days later the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed a body found on Chicago's West Side was the nephew; an autopsy indicated he had died from "multiple gunshot wounds".Multiple sources:

• {{cite news |url= http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/27/illinois.shootings.hudson/index.html |title= Body found in SUV linked to Hudson shootings |agency=CNN |access-date= September 24, 2017 |date= October 27, 2008}}
• {{cite news |url= http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iIqSbmp7cCrnSvw1FIMxIvjQa8AQD942T8M00 |title= Body found in SUV, unknown if it's Hudson's nephew |last= Shenoy |first= Rupa |date= October 27, 2008 |access-date= October 27, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081031181410/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iIqSbmp7cCrnSvw1FIMxIvjQa8AQD942T8M00 |archive-date= October 31, 2008 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}
• {{cite web |url= https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081027/ap_en_mu/chicago_bodies_hudson |title= FBI says body found is that of Hudson's nephew, 7 |last= Tareen |first= Sophia |date= October 27, 2008 |publisher= Yahoo! News |access-date= October 27, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081101174143/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081027/ap_en_mu/chicago_bodies_hudson |archive-date= November 1, 2008 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}
• {{Cite news |url= http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/28/illinois.shootings.hudson/index.html#cnnSTCText |title= Autopsy: Hudson nephew shot multiple times |agency= CNN |date= October 28, 2008 |access-date= November 9, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081106125859/http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/28/illinois.shootings.hudson/index.html#cnnSTCText |archive-date= November 6, 2008 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }} Police charged William Balfour, Julia's estranged 27-year-old husband, with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion.{{cite news |last= Vineyard |first= Jennifer |date= December 3, 2008 |title= William Balfour, Suspect in Hudson Family Killings, Denied Bail |publisher= MTV |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600641/20081203/hudson__jennifer.jhtml |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081205130709/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600641/20081203/hudson__jennifer.jhtml |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 5, 2008 |access-date= December 3, 2008 }} Convicted on all seven counts against him,{{cite news |title= Jennifer Hudson 'emotional but relieved' with guilty verdicts |first1= Rummana |last1= Hussain |first2= Lauren |last2= Fitzpatrick |url= https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2012/5/15/18531666/jennifer-hudson-emotional-but-relieved-with-guilty-verdicts|newspaper= Chicago Sun-Times (suntimes.com)|date= May 11, 2012 |access-date= May 7, 2020}} in July 2012, he was sentenced to three life sentences without the possibility of parole (to be served consecutively), followed by an additional 120 years for his other convictions.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/07/24/justice/illinois-hudson-murder-trial/index.html|agency=CNN|title=Killer of Jennifer Hudson relatives gets three life sentences without parole|author= |date=July 24, 2012|access-date=May 7, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/william-balfour-gets-3-life-sentences-murder-jennifer-hudsons-family-908362|work=NBC News|title=Balfour Sentenced To Life In Prison In Hudson Family Slayings|date=July 24, 2012|access-date=September 24, 2017}} Hudson's family created The Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims, in honor of the three victims.{{cite web|last=Perry|first=Beth|title=Jennifer Hudson Announces Foundation for Murder Victim Families|website=People|url= https://people.com/celebrity/jennifer-hudson-announces-foundation-for-murder-victim-families |date=October 30, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2020}} Hudson and her sister created the Julian D. King Gift Foundation in honor of her nephew. It provides Christmas presents and school supplies to families in need in the Chicago area.{{cite news|last=Bried|first=Erin|title=4th Annual Self women Doing Good Awards|work=Self|issue=September 2011|publisher=Conde Nast}}

Hudson has been described as a friend of former President Barack Obama, who invited her to appear with him at a fundraiser in Beverly Hills during his first term in May 2009.{{cite news |date=May 27, 2009 |title=L.A. Now |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/obama-visit-.html |access-date=September 24, 2017}} She also performed at the White House at the "Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement" event.{{cite magazine |title=Dylan, Mellencamp, Baez Bring Civil Rights Songs to White House : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/02/12/dylan-mellencamp-baez-bring-civil-rights-songs-to-white-house/ |url-status=dead |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213164423/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/02/12/dylan-mellencamp-baez-bring-civil-rights-songs-to-white-house/ |archive-date=February 13, 2010 |access-date=September 1, 2017}}

{{As of|2011}}, Hudson resides in Burr Ridge, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago.{{cite news |title=Jennifer Hudson's New House: Chicago Native Buys Mansion In Burr Ridge (PHOTOS) |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/01/jennifer-hudson-house-loc_n_1123874.html |access-date=January 5, 2019 |work=Huffington Post |date=December 1, 2011}}

Hudson does not drink alcohol.{{cite web|title=Jennifer Hudson Reveals She Is Sober: 'I've Never Had A Drink In My Life'|work=HuffPost|date=11 October 2013|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jennifer-hudson-sober_n_4086340|access-date=18 September 2024}}

In 2022, while working together on their film Breathe, Hudson began dating rapper and fellow Chicago native, Common. The pair confirmed their relationship with a joint appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show in January 2024. When discussing their romance, Common stated: "I'm in a relationship that is with one of the most beautiful people I've met in life." He added: "She's smart, she loves God, she has something real down to Earth about her. She's talented."{{cite web |last1=Kaur |first1=Brahmjot |title=Jennifer Hudson and Common Confirm Their Romance in the Most Heartwarming Way |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1393579/jennifer-hudson-and-common-confirm-their-romance-in-the-most-heartwarming-way |website=eonline.com |date=January 22, 2024 |publisher=E! News |access-date=1 April 2024}}

{{Main|Jennifer Hudson discography}}

• Jennifer Hudson (2008)
• I Remember Me (2011)
• JHUD (2014)
• The Gift of Love (2024)

{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Jennifer Hudson}}

{{reflist}}

{{sister project links|collapsible=true}}

• {{Official website|http://www.jenniferhudsononline.com}}
• [https://jenniferhudsonshow.com/ The Jennifer Hudson Show official website]
• {{IMDb name|1617685}}
• {{IBDB name}}
• {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p863211|label=Jennifer Hudson}}

{{Jennifer Hudson}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Jennifer Hudson

|list =

{{Academy Award Best Supporting Actress}}

{{BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role}}

{{BET Award for Best Actress}}

{{BET Award for Best New Artist}}

{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance}}

{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress}}

{{Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress}}

{{Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actress Motion Picture}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Album}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist}}

{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Album}}

{{National Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance}}

{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress}}

{{Satellite Award Best Supporting Actress Motion Picture}}

{{ScreenActorsGuildAward FemaleSupportMotionPicture}}

{{St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress}}

{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress}}

{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Breakthrough Performance}}

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{{EGOT winners}}

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Category:1981 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century African-American actresses

Category:21st-century American actresses

Category:21st-century American women singers

Category:21st-century American singers

Category:Actresses from Chicago

Category:African-American women singers

Category:American film actresses

Category:American Idol participants

Category:American contemporary R&B singers

Category:American voice actresses

Category:Baptists from Illinois

Category:Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winners

Category:Best Supporting Actress BAFTA Award winners

Category:Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe (film) winners

Category:Daytime Emmy Award winners

Category:Dunbar Vocational High School alumni

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category: Interscope Records artists

Category:Langston University alumni

Category:Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Screen Actors Guild Award winners

Category:RCA Records artists

Category:Singers from Chicago

Category:Judges in American reality television series