Jennifer Hudson - Jennifer Hudson Lands Smash Role

The singer/actress shot to fame as a contestant on American Idol, before going on to win a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her turn in Dreamgirls.

Now, she's returning to the small screen to play a Tony-Award winning Broadway star in the hit U.S. series, which focuses on the world of New York's theatre district.

Smash's executive producer Steven Spielberg says, "First Dreamgirls, now Smash. I have no doubt Jennifer will continue to deliver even more inspiration to the audience responsible for giving us a second season on NBC."

Hudson will join another American Idol alumni on the show - Katherine MCPhee plays the show's lead Karen Cartwright.