Jennifer Hudson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jennifer Hudson
Hudson in 2018
Born	Jennifer Kate Hudson (1981-09-12) September 12, 1981 (age 43) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other names	J.Hud
Education	Langston University Kennedy-King College
Occupation	Singer actress television presenter
Years active	2004–present
Works	Discography filmography
Partner(s)	James Payton (1999–2007) David Otunga (2007–2017) Common (2022–present)
Children	1
Parent(s)	Darnell Donerson (mother)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	R&B soul
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Arista J RCA Epic Interscope

Jennifer Kate Hudson (born September 12, 1981), also known by her nickname J.Hud, is an American singer, actress, and talk show host. She is famous for her powerful voice and award-winning performances.

Hudson is one of the few people to have won all four major American entertainment awards. These are the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. This amazing achievement is called an "EGOT". In 2020, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

She first became famous in 2004 as a finalist on the TV show American Idol. After the show, she released her first album, Jennifer Hudson. It was a big success and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.

Hudson is also a talented actress. She won an Academy Award for her first movie role in the musical Dreamgirls (2006). She has starred in many other movies, including Respect, where she played the legendary singer Aretha Franklin.

Early Life

Jennifer Hudson was born in Chicago, Illinois. She was the youngest of three children. She grew up in the Englewood neighborhood and started singing in her church choir when she was seven years old. Her grandmother, Julia, encouraged her to perform in community theater.

Some of her biggest musical inspirations were Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Patti LaBelle. After graduating from high school in 1999, she attended Langston University but left after one semester. She later studied at Kennedy–King College in Chicago.

In 2002, Hudson signed her first recording contract with a local record label. She later left the contract to audition for American Idol.

Career

2004–2005: Competing on American Idol

Hudson auditioned for the third season of American Idol in Atlanta. Before the show, she had been a singer on a Disney Cruise Line ship. The judges were impressed with her powerful voice.

During the competition, she sang songs like Elton John's "Circle of Life" and Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing". Although she was a fan favorite, she was surprisingly eliminated, finishing in seventh place. Many people consider her elimination one of the most shocking in the show's history.

2006–2007: Breakthrough with Dreamgirls

Hudson in 2007

In 2006, Hudson made her movie debut in the musical film Dreamgirls. She played the character Effie White, a role that required a very strong singer. She starred alongside Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, and Eddie Murphy.

Her performance was a huge success. Critics and audiences loved her singing, especially the song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going". Her powerful performance won her many awards.

In 2007, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also won a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award. This amazing start made her a major star in Hollywood. After her win, the mayor of Chicago declared March 6 as "Jennifer Hudson Day" in her honor.

2008–2014: Music and More Movies

Jennifer Hudson sings the "Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XLIII. This was her first public performance after a family tragedy.

In 2008, Hudson released her first album, called Jennifer Hudson. It featured the hit single "Spotlight" and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The album won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 2009.

During this time, Hudson also continued her acting career. She appeared in the movie ... and the City (2008) and The Secret Life of Bees (2008). She later played Winnie Mandela in the 2011 biopic Winnie Mandela.

In February 2009, Hudson performed the national anthem at Super Bowl XLIII. It was a very emotional and powerful performance, as it was her first time on stage after a personal family tragedy.

Hudson at the Academy Awards in 2011

Her second album, I Remember Me, came out in 2011. It also reached number two on the Billboard 200. The album included the single "Where You At".

In 2012, she appeared in the movie The Three Stooges and had a recurring role on the TV show Smash. In 2014, she released her third album, JHUD, which had a more upbeat, '70s-inspired sound.

2015–2020: Broadway, The Voice, and Cats

In 2015, Hudson made her debut on Broadway in the musical The Color Purple. She played the role of Shug Avery and received great reviews for her performance. The show's cast album won a Grammy Award.

Hudson in 2012

From 2017 to 2019, Hudson became a coach on the singing competition show The Voice. She was a coach on both the UK and US versions of the show. In her first season on The Voice UK, her singer Mo Adeniran won, making her the first female coach to win the UK show.

In 2019, she starred as the cat Grizabella in the movie adaptation of the musical Cats. She sang the famous song "Memory" in the film.

2021–Present: Becoming an EGOT and Talk Show Host

In 2021, Hudson starred as the legendary "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin, in the movie Respect. Hudson was handpicked by Franklin herself for the role before Franklin's passing. Her performance was highly praised and earned her several awards.

In 2022, Hudson achieved a major career milestone. She won a Tony Award for being a producer on the Broadway musical A Strange Loop. This win made her an "EGOT" winner, meaning she has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. She is one of only a few people in history to do so.

In September 2022, she launched her own daytime talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show. In 2024, she released her fourth studio album, The Gift of Love.

Personal Life

Hudson was in a long-term relationship with David Otunga. They became engaged in 2008. In 2009, their son, David Daniel Otunga Jr., was born. The couple separated in 2017. Since 2022, Hudson has been in a relationship with the rapper and actor Common.

In October 2008, Hudson's family experienced a terrible tragedy when her mother, brother, and young nephew were killed. In their memory, her family created the Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims. Hudson and her sister also started the Julian D. King Gift Foundation, which gives Christmas presents and school supplies to children in need in Chicago.

Hudson is also known for her friendship with former President Barack Obama. She performed at the White House during his presidency.

Acting Credits

Film

Television

Theatre

Discography

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

Awards and nominations

Images for kids

• 

  Hudson at the Commander in Chief's Ball at the Washington Convention Center in 2013

See also

In Spanish: Jennifer Hudson para niños