Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson (born 12.9.1981)

Jennifer Hudson is a singer, actress and model from the USA. She initially rose to fame as a finalist on the US TV series American Idol.

Jennifer Hudson: Childhood

Jennifer Hudson was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her mother was Darnell Donnerson and her father was Samuel Simpson. Jennifer was raised as a Baptist and as a child, she attended the Dunbar Vocational Career Academy, from which she graduated in 1999.

Hudson has often cited Whitney Houston and Patti LaBelle as her biggest musical influences.

Jennifer Hudson started performing in community in her church choir and she also performed in community theatre.

Jennifer Hudson: Music & Film Career

Jennifer Hudson initially auditioned for American Idol's third series in Atlanta, Georgia. At the time, she had been performing on cruise ships, for Disney Cruise Lines. During the contest, she nearly did not make it through to the final, but Randy Jackson brought her through as a 'wild card'. It was her performance of Elton John's 'Circle of Life' that really turned the competition around for her, as well as her rendition of 'I Have Nothing' by Whitney Houston. She finished in seventh place.

In November 2005, Jennifer Hudson landed a role in Dreamgirls, playing the role of Effie White. The film also starred Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx. In the film, she earned a great deal of praise for her rendition of 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going' and her performance drew comparison to Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin and Barbra Streisand. She won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and Simon Cowell taped a congratulatory message to Hudson when he saw her performance. The taped message was aired on Oprah Winfrey's chat show. Jennifer Hudson went on to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In November 2006, Jennifer Hudson signed a recording deal with Arista Records. Her debut single 'Spotlight' became her first Top 30 hit and was followed by 'If This Isn't Love'. The release of her second single was delayed by a family tragedy and was eventually released in February 2009. The third single, 'Pocketbook', featured Ludacris. Her debut album, which was eponymously titled, was released in September 2008. The album was written and co-produced by Ne-Yo. Other producers on the album include Stargate, Missy Elliott, Diane Warren and Timbaland.

The Mayor of Chicago declared March 6th as 'Jennifer Hudson Day'.

Jennifer Hudson then went on to play the assistant to Carrie Bradshaw (as played by Sarah Jessica Parker) in the film version of Sex and the City. The film was released in May 2008.

Also in 2008, Hudson appeared in The Secret Life of Bees. She plays the mother figure to Dakota Fanning's character and the film also stars Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah and Sophie Okonedo.

On July 7, 2009, Jennifer Hudson performed 'Will You Be There' at the memorial concert for Michael Jackson. Other artists that performed at the concert include Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie.

Jennifer Hudson: Personal Life

Jennifer Hudson started dating James Payton in 1999, at the age of 18. They separated in 2007.

Hudson then started dating David Otunga, who proposed to her on her 27th birthday. In August 2009, Jennifer gave birth to a son, David Daniel Otunga Jr.

In October 2008, Jennifer Hudson's mother (aged 57) and her brother (aged 29) were both found shot dead at the home of her sister Julia. Jennifer's nephew Julian King (who was aged seven at the time) was reported missing. He was later found dead in a Chevrolet parked in Chicago's West Side.

William Balfour, the estranged husband of Jennifer's sister Julia, was charged with the three murders.