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Jennifer Hudson

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BIO

Jennifer Kate Hudson (born September 12, 1981), also known by her nickname J.Hud, is an American singer, actress, and television personality. Having received numerous accolades for her work in music, film, television, and theater, Hudson became the youngest woman and third African-American recipient of all four major American entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) in 2022. She was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013, and Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020.



In her recording career, Hudson rose to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of the reality series American Idol, in which she placed seventh. She signed with Arista Records to release her self-titled debut studio album (2008), which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and won Best R&B Album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. She made her film debut as Effie White in the musical Dreamgirls (2006), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and became the youngest African-American recipient of the award.

Hudson's second and third studio albums, I Remember Me (2011) and JHUD (2014), both peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200. Outside of her recording career, she was cast in further acting roles such as Sex and the City (2008), The Secret Life of Bees (2008), Winnie Mandela (2011), Black Nativity (2013), Sing (2016), Cats (2019) and Respect (2021), the television shows Smash (2012), Empire (2015) and Confirmation (2016). She made her Broadway acting debut with the 2015 iteration of the musical, The Color Purple. Hudson has also contributed as a coach on both the UK and the US versions of the reality series The Voice from 2017 to 2019, and became the first female coach to lead a winning team on the former. Since 2022, she has hosted her own talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Hairspray Live! Hairspray Live!
[Motion Picture]
NBC Live Televised Production, 2016
Motormouth Maybelle
Motormouth Maybelle
The Color Purple The Color Purple
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2015
Shug Avery
Shug Avery
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2006
Jewel
Jewel
Hair
[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2004
Other Roles
Other Roles

Movies

Dreamgirls
[ 2006 ] Effie White
Winged Creatures
[ 2008 ] Kathy Hammet
Sex and the City
[ 2008 ] Louise
The Secret Life of Bees
[ 2008 ] Rosaleen Daise
Winnie Mandela
[ 2011 ] Winnie Mandela
The Three Stooges
[ 2012 ] Sister Rosemary
The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete
[ 2013 ] Mom Gloria
Black Nativity
[ 2013 ] Naima
Lullaby
[ 2014 ] Nurse Carrie
Chi-Raq
[ 2015 ] Irene
Sing
[ 2016 ] Young Nana
Sandy Wexler
[ 2017 ] Courtney Clarke
Monster
[ 2018 ] Mrs. Harmon
Cats
[ 2019 ] Grizabella
Respect
[ 2021 ] Aretha Franklin
Tell It Like a Woman
[ 2022 ] Kim Carter, Pepcy

TV Shows

The Jennifer Hudson Show
[ 2022-2025 ] executive producer

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2016 - Distinguished Performance Award

Jennifer Hudson, The Color Purple

Videos

More Videos

News


Jennifer Hudson Joins SMASH Broadway Cast On Stage Photo
Jennifer Hudson Joins SMASH Broadway Cast On Stage
by Emmy Rice - May 18, 2025

Jennifer Hudson came to see the Broadway musical Smash this past Thursday. The show is based on the hit TV show on NBC in which she had numerous guest appearances. Hudson is also a producer of the Broadway show. 
Brandon Victor Dixon Shares New Original Pop Power Song 'Maybe' Photo
Brandon Victor Dixon Shares New Original Pop Power Song 'Maybe'
by Josh Sharpe - May 16, 2025

Tony-nominated actor, singer, and producer Brandon Victor Dixon has dropped Maybe, the first single from his upcoming debut album. Check out the music video now!
Video: Kesha Surprises Jennifer Hudson By Revealing Her DREAMGIRLS Role Photo
Video: Kesha Surprises Jennifer Hudson By Revealing Her DREAMGIRLS Role
by Josh Sharpe - May 13, 2025

On a recent visit to The Jennifer Hudson Show, Kesha revealed to the Dreamgirls star that she worked on a scene in the film as an extra. Watch the conversation now!
2025 Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Unveils Lineup Photo
2025 Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Unveils Lineup
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 5, 2025

The Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival revealed the 2025 summer concert season. The Festival will present ten live performances in five venues across Cape Cod. Learn more!
PURPLE RAIN World Premiere Tickets On Sale At Hennepin Arts In May Photo
PURPLE RAIN World Premiere Tickets On Sale At Hennepin Arts In May
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2025

Tickets for the pre-Broadway world premiere stage adaptation of Prince's legendary film and album, PURPLE RAIN, will go on sale on Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m..
Video: Robyn Hurder Talks SMASH Opening Night and 20 Years on Broadway Photo
Video: Robyn Hurder Talks SMASH Opening Night and 20 Years on Broadway
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 23, 2025

Smash star Robyn Hurder joined The Jennifer Hudson Show to celebrate the opening night of the much-anticipated new musical. During their conversation, Hurder talked about her 20-year career on Broadway and how she has worked her way up to leading roles. Watch the interview now!
Brandon Victor Dixon to Release New Pop Power Song 'Maybe,' First From New Album Photo
Brandon Victor Dixon to Release New Pop Power Song 'Maybe,' First From New Album
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 23, 2025

Best known for his starring turns on Broadway and television, Tony-nominated actor, singer, and producer Brandon Victor Dixon will release an original song and accompanying video on May 16th.
2025 Drama League Awards Nominations- The Full List Photo
2025 Drama League Awards Nominations- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 22, 2025

The Drama League announced the 2025 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Play, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. We have the full list of nominees here!
Broadway Stars Who Appeared on NBC's SMASH Photo
Broadway Stars Who Appeared on NBC's SMASH
by Stephi Wild - Apr 19, 2025

As we welcome SMASH to the stage for the first time, we're taking a look back on the iconic television show that started it all. Take a look back on the Broadway names who appeared on SMASH!
Anjelica Huston Reflects on SMASH Experience: 'I Wasn't Very Happy' Photo
Anjelica Huston Reflects on SMASH Experience: 'I Wasn't Very Happy'
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 11, 2025

In a new interview, Anjelica Huston reflected on her role as Broadway producer Eileen Rand in the TV series Smash, sharing that she 'didn't feel very prized in that role.'
Broadway Streaming Guide April 2025: Where to Watch ÉTOILE, Y2K, & More Photo
Broadway Streaming Guide April 2025: Where to Watch ÉTOILE, Y2K, & More
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 31, 2025

Spring has sprung, and as April kicks off, a selection of new titles for the Broadway fan will be available to stream. Take a look at the lineup here, which includes the Rachel Zegler flick Y2K, the dance series Étoile, and more!
See Lorna Luft & Andrea McArdle and More at 54 Below in April Photo
See Lorna Luft & Andrea McArdle and More at 54 Below in April
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 28, 2025

Next month, 54 BELOW will presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Lorna Luft and Andrea McArdle, Marilyn Maye, and many more. See the full lineup here!
Victor Jackson Returns To 54 Below With APRIL SHOWERS Photo
Victor Jackson Returns To 54 Below With APRIL SHOWERS
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2025

54 Below will present Victor Jackson in “April Showers” on April 7, 2025. Inspired by nature's ever-changing seasons, Victor's songs weave a tapestry of resilience, joy, and renewal.
Video: Watch Robyn Hurder & Caroline Bowman Sing 'Don't Forget Me' From SMASH Photo
Video: Watch Robyn Hurder & Caroline Bowman Sing 'Don't Forget Me' From SMASH
by Michael Major - Mar 10, 2025

Watch a video of Caroline Bowman and Robyn Hurder perform 'Don't Forget Me' from SMASH the Musical, which begins previews on Broadway Tuesday. The pair play Karen Cartwright and Ivy Lynn, respectively, in the in the Broadway musical.
SMASH Will Offer Rush, Lottery, and $30 Under 30 Initiative Photo
SMASH Will Offer Rush, Lottery, and $30 Under 30 Initiative
by Stephi Wild - Mar 7, 2025

SMASH on Broadway will host a digital lottery, in-person rush and $30 under 30 initiative at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre and we've got the scoop on how to get discounted tickets.
Chicago Magic Lounge To Present Walter King, Jr.'s SPELLBINDER Photo
Chicago Magic Lounge To Present Walter King, Jr.'s SPELLBINDER
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 6, 2025

Chicago Magic Lounge will welcome Walter King Jr., aka The Spellbinder, as its next Artist-In-Residence with his new show Diary of a Black Illusionist. Taking the audience on a journey through his storied career, which began right here in Chicago, The Spellbinder will thrill audiences with his incredible illusions and unforgettable stories. 
Durrell 'Tank' Babbs to Join HELL'S KITCHEN as 'Davis' Photo
Durrell 'Tank' Babbs to Join HELL'S KITCHEN as 'Davis'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 28, 2025

Nine-time Grammy Award nominee Durrell “Tank” Babbs will join the company of HELL’S KITCHEN as “Davis” for 13-weeks only. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Meet the Talented Cast of BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB as It Lights Up Broadway Photo
Meet the Talented Cast of BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB as It Lights Up Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Feb 21, 2025

Discover the vibrant cast of BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB as they bring Cuba's golden age to Broadway. Performances start tonight at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Learn more!
THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW Renewed for Fourth Season Photo
THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW Renewed for Fourth Season
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 20, 2025

Warner Bros. Television Group’s Daytime Emmy-nominated talk show “The Jennifer Hudson Show” has been renewed for a fourth season (2025-2026) by the Fox Television Stations.
Video: Heather Headley Performs 'Shadowland' From THE LION KING Hollywood Bowl Concer Photo
Video: Heather Headley Performs 'Shadowland' From THE LION KING Hollywood Bowl Concert
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 17, 2025

Disney has debuted a new clip from The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl, the concert experience now on Disney+. In the video, original Broadway performer Heather Headley takes the stage to perform her rendition of the powerful song Shadowland. Watch it here!
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Jennifer Hudson been in?

Jennifer Hudson has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Jennifer Hudson been in?

Jennifer Hudson has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Jennifer Hudson been nominated for?

and Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Color Purple.

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