Jennifer Hudson life and biography

Jennifer Hudson is an American recording artist, actress and spokesperson. She came to prominence in 2004 as one of the finalists on the third season of American Idol coming in seventh place. She made her film debut in the 2006 film Dreamgirls which won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Born Jennifer Kate Hudson on September 12, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up singing in the church choir and graduated from Dunbar Vocational Career Academy in 1999.

After singing for a year on a Disney cruise ship, Hudson auditioned for the third season of FOX's American Idol in 2004. As a finalist, she gained exposure and a fan base, then all but disappeared from the limelight until 2005. That year, Hudson beat out hundreds of competitors to win the role of Effie White in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Her scene-stealing performance earned the young singer several accolades including a Golden Globe, an Oscar, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In September 2008, Hudson and her boyfriend, David Otunga, became engaged. Otunga, known as "Punk" on the TV reality show I Love New York 2, proposed on the singer's 27th birthday. No wedding date has been disclosed, but it was announced in June 2009, that the couple is expecting their first child.

On May 30, 2008, Jennifer Hudson appeared in the hit movie, Sex in the City, and starred in The Secret Life of Bees in October of 2008 along with Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, and Sophie Okonedo. Her self-titled debut album was released in September 2008.

Tragedy struck Hudson's life when her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, disappeared. The boy went missing shortly after Hudson's mother and brother were shot in what appeared to be a double-homicide. On her Web site, Hudson thanked fans for their thoughts and prayers, and offered a $100,000 reward for King's safe return. Police are still investigating the case, but in December 2008, they arrested Hudson's brother-in-law, William Balfour in relation to the killings.

Hudson made her first public appearance since the deaths of her family members when she sang the national anthem during Super Bowl XLIII. She is currently on tour for her new album.

In May 2010, the Los Angeles Times claimed Hudson to be the third greatest Idol contestant in the history of the show. She placed behind Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson and Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood.

Watch below the music video of Jennifer Hudson's 'Where You At' :


Hudson will release her second studio album I Remember Me on March 22, 2011. The lead single Where You At was released on January 24, 2011. On February 3, 2011, due to radio play, the single made its debut on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at #53, so far reaching a peak of #12.

As of April 1, 2010, Hudson became the spokesperson for Weight Watchers. She has lost 56 pounds (25 kg) in the last year and "does not want to lose any more weight." However, on February 10, 2011, she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and revealed she has now lost a total of 80 pounds.

During a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, Hudson revealed she’s still trying to make her mom proud.

"I try to do everything to say, 'OK, will my mother like this? Will she be pleased? Will she be proud of that? How do I know she's happy and she's smiling down at me from heaven?" Hudson revealed. "And that’s what I try to go by and walk by."

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