Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Kate Hudson,  born September 12, 1981  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. 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.

She won a Grammy Award for her eponymous debut album, Jennifer Hudson, which was released in 2008 on Arista Records and was certified gold by the RIAAfor selling over 700,000 copies in the US; sales exceeded 1 million copies worldwide. Additionally it spawned the hit single "Spotlight".

In late 2008, after Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew were killed in a shooting, Hudson stepped out of the limelight for three months. Hudson resumed her public appearances in 2009, and has since performed at the Super Bowl XLIII, the Grammy Awards, American Idol, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Hudson has been described as a friend of President Barack Obama, who invited her to appear with him at a fundraiser in Beverly Hills in May 2009.She also recently performed at the White House at the "Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement" event.

Personal life

Hudson began dating James Payton in 1999, when she was eighteen. They were both from Chicago. When asked if they had any plans to marry, Hudson declared that, "We are happy with the place we are right now, but perhaps we will tie the knot someday. One thing's for sure, I definitely won't be popping the question!" The couple separated in late 2007.

Hudson met David Otunga (who appeared as "Punk" from I Love New York 2), a Harvard Law graduate. On September 12, 2008, Hudson's 27th birthday, Otunga proposed marriage. Otunga accompanied Hudson throughout Spring and Autumn 2008 on various promotional events for her films, as well as debut album. In November 2008, he started training to become a professional wrestler and went on to wrestle for WWE NXT under his real name. In August 2009, Hudson gave birth to her first child with Otunga; a boy named David Daniel Otunga Jr.

Hudson owns three Pomeranian dogs named Dreamgirl, Oscar and Grammy.

Early life

Jennifer Hudson was born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois. She is the third and youngest child of Darnell Donnerson and Samuel Simpson.She was raised as a Baptist and attended Dunbar Vocational Career Academy, from which she graduated from in 1999. She cites Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Patti LaBelle as her overall biggest influences and inspiration. At the age of 7, she got her start in performing by singing with the church choir and doing community theater with the help of her late maternal grandmother, Julia.

American Idol

Hudson auditioned for the third season of American Idol, in Atlanta. In her audition she commented that she had been singing on Disney Cruise Lines for the past few months (as one of the Muses from Hercules); and contestant judge Randy Jackson said, "We're expecting more than a cruise ship performance from you." Jennifer delivered and all the judges agreed it was the best voice they had heard so far in the competition. She was a member of the first group of semifinalists in the Semifinals. She was not voted through to the final round, although she was brought back on the wild card round and put through as a "Top 12" finalist by Jackson.

Hudson struggled to gain popularity in the early stages of Idol's live shows, receiving the second-lowest number of votes in two of the first three shows. However, after a change in song choices, she soon became a favorite to win, receiving the highest number of votes in the "Top 9" after her performance of Elton John's "Circle of Life," on April 6, 2004. Among Hudson's worthy performances on the show was her rendition of Whitney Houston's, "I Have Nothing". Judge Simon Cowell commented that Hudson, "finally proved why she was among the 'Top 12,'" and referred to the performance a week later as, "sensational." During the "Top 7" show, Hudson performed Barry Manilow's, "Weekend in New England," which garnered praise from all three judges. Jackson called the song Hudson's best performance to date; and Simon Cowell noted that Hudson's presence made the third season a, "Battle of the Divas," referencing other powerful vocalists Fantasia Barrino and LaToya London. Despite this praise, Hudson was eliminated during this week, which some blamed in part on a power outage in Hudson's hometown of Chicago due to storms and tornadoes in the area. This also led to controversy since the "Battling Divas" were all in the Bottom 3. On April 21, 2004, Hudson became the sixth of the 12 finalists to be voted off the show, finishing the competition in seventh place.

Films

Dreamgirls

In November 2005, Hudson was cast in the role of Effie White for the film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls, which also starred Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles and Eddie Murphy. The role, originally created in a Broadway performance by Jennifer Holliday, marked Hudson's debut screen performance. She won the role over hundreds of professional singers and actresses, including Raven-Symoné and Fantasia Barrino. Filming of Dreamgirls began on January 9, 2006, and the film went into limited release on December 25, 2006, and national release on January 12, 2007.

Hudson has won particular praise for her show-stopping onscreen rendition of the hit song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", the signature song of the role, which had earlier been recorded, and had already reached the status of musical standard, because of the definitive performance of Jennifer Holliday. The New York Observer described Hudson's performance of the song as, "five mellifluous, molto vibrato minutes that have suddenly catapulted Ms. Hudson... into the position of front-runner for the best supporting actress Oscar." Newsweek said that when moviegoers hear Hudson sing the song, she, "is going to raise goose bumps across the land."Variety magazine wrote that Hudson's performance, "calls to mind debuts like Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl or Bette Midler in The Rose, with a voice like the young Aretha."

Hudson's version of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," debuted at number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the January 13, 2007, issue. The Dreamgirls track became Hudson's first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot Adult R&B Airplay chart on February 24, 2007. The track has also reached number 14 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while remixes of the song have topped the Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Hudson performing in 2007

On February 25, 2007, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film. Upon winning the award, Hudson also became one of the very few performers ever to win an Oscar for a debut screen performance. As of 2009, she is also the only person to have gone from participating in a reality television series to becoming an Academy Award winner. During her acceptance speech, Hudson said: "Oh my God, I have to just take this moment in. I cannot believe this. Look what God can do. I didn't think I was going to win. [...] If my grandmother was here to see me now. She was my biggest inspiration." She also concluded her speech by thanking Jennifer Holliday.

Later in 2007, the Mayor of her home town Chicago, Richard M. Daley, declared March 6 as "Jennifer Hudson Day". She also was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on June 18, along with 115 other individuals for 2007. Entertainment Weekly put her performance on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "Sure, Beyoncé's performance was great. And Eddie Murphy's was impressive. But there was really only one reason we all rushed to see 2006's Dreamgirls: Jennifer Hudson's soul-to-the-rafters rendition of the classic "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." When she sang "You're gonna love me," it wasn't just a lyric—it was a fact."

Sex and the City (2008)

In September 2007, Hudson began work on Sex and the City as Louise, Carrie Bradshaw's assistant. Filming finished in December 2007 and the movie was released on May 30, 2008.

The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

In January 2008, she began filming her third film The Secret Life of Bees as Rosaleen, the mother figure of Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning). Also starring in the film are fellow Oscar nominees Queen Latifah and Sophie Okonedo, as well as Alicia Keys. The film opened on October 17, 2008, and grossed over $37 million at the box office. The film won two People's Choice Awards in January 2009 in the categories, Favorite Drama Movie and Favorite Independent Movie. The film also received nine Black Reel Awards nominations including three wins. Hudson was nominated for her performance in the film, but lost to Queen Latifah. The film also received eight nominations at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards, including a nomination for Hudson for her performance.

Fragments (2009)

In 2009, Hudson starred as Kathy Archenault in Fragments, a film based on the novel by Roy Freirich, with Dakota Fanning and Forest Whitaker. The name of the film was changed from "Winged Creatures" to "Fragments". It was released on DVD on August 4, 2009.

Music

In September 2006, Hudson performed the song, "Over It," live on Fox Chicago Morning News. In the interview she stated the song would be included on her debut album, to be released in early 2007 however this was before she signed with Arista. On The Oprah Winfrey Show, Hudson announced plans to enter the studio in March 2007. Hudson said on The Tyra Banks Show, on February 23, 2007, that she just finished the first song for the album. Hudson also recorded a song called, "Stand Up", which was available for preview on her fan website which was produced by Chicago natives Earl Powell and Herman Little III, who arranged the song. The power-ballad is available on the deluxe edition Hudson's self-titled album as a bonus track.

In November 2006, Hudson signed a record deal with Arista Records. She released her debut album and has recently finished recording one song entitled, "Depreciate".

In January 2008 Hudson returned to the studio to record new material for her debut album. Her label was reportedly unhappy with the direction they were sending Hudson musically and decided it would be best to scrap the older songs and instead focus on new ones. Hudson worked with Ryan Tedder and Timbaland on a number of songs.

Her debut single, "Spotlight" was released on June 10, 2008 and became Hudson's first top 40 hit peaking at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a top 20 hit in the UK and Turkey. The second single, "If This Isn't Love" followed it. The second single was to be released in October 2008 and was supposed to be "My Heart". After three of her family members were murdered brutally by her estranged brother-in-law, the single was rescheduled for a January, 2009 release. In January her label decided that the second single would not be "My Heart" and therefore decided the second single would be released in February 2009. After much discussion, her label chose "If This Isn't Love" as the second single. The single eventually peaked at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #37 on the UK Singles Chart. The third single was announced as "Pocketbook" featuring Ludacris in April, 2009, for a June, 2009 release, despite speculation that the third single would be "My Heart" after it was canceled as the second single. In May, 2009, "Pocketbook" was canceled as the third single due to negative reception from fans and critics alike. The third single was then rescheduled as "Giving Myself" and was released on June 2, 2009 to the US.

Her debut album, Jennifer Hudson was released on September 30, 2008 on Arista and was written by Ne-Yo, who co-produced along with Stargate. 

Family murders

Mother, brother of singer Jennifer Hudson found murdered, others reported missing

FBI asked to assist in murder, kidnap investigation of Jennifer Hudson's relatives

FBI says Jennifer Hudson's nephew found dead

Arrest made in Jennifer Hudson family killings

On October 24, 2008, Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donnerson, and the singer's 29-year-old brother, Jason, were found shot to death inside the Chicago home Donnerson shared with Hudson's elder sister, Julia. An AMBER Alert was issued for Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, after Hudson's sister, Julia, reported him missing.

Later that day, Chicago police arrested a suspect, William Balfour, 27, the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia, but he was not charged with the crime. Balfour was on parole and had spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle. The Illinois Department of Corrections' records revealed one of Balfour's addresses to be the home where Donnerson and Jason Hudson were murdered.

Three days later, on October 27, 2008, the dead body of a young boy was found inside a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban parked on a street in Chicago's West Side area. The license plate and the vehicle's description matched that given in the AMBER Alert. The FBI confirmed the body was that of Julian King.Autopsy reports released on October 29, 2008 from the Cook County Medical Examiner's office indicated that Julian King's death was due to "multiple gunshot wounds".

A gun found in a West Side vacant lot was confirmed to be the murder weapon by Chicago police Superintendent Jody Weis on October 31, 2008. The gun belonged to Jason Hudson and had been missing for several months.

Funeral services for the three victims were held on November 3, followed by a private service at Chicago's South Side Apostolic Church of God on November 10. Hudson's family announced creation of The Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims, in honor of Hudson's mother, brother and nephew.

Because he had not yet been officially charged with the murders, Balfour appeared without an attorney at a thirty-five minute parole violation hearing on November 10, 2008; the hearing decision was that he was believed to have violated parole and should be held in custody until a December 3 hearing before the full Illinois Prisoner Review Board.

Filmography

Hudson has appeared in the following film releases:

Year Film Role Notes

2006 Dreamgirls Effie White Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress

Austin Film Critics Association Award for Breakout Artist

African-American Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress

BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role

BET Award for Best Actress

BET Award for Best New Artist

Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actress

Black Reel Award for Breakthrough Performance

Broadcast Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress

Central Ohio Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress

Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Pauline Kael Breakout

Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture

Hollywood Life Award for Breakthrough of the Year

Las Vegas Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

National Board of Review Award for Best Female Breakthrough Performance

New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress

New York Online Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress

New York Online Film Critics Award for Breakthrough Performer

Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Award for Breakout Performance

Palm Springs International Film Festival Award for Breakthrough Performance

Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

ShoWest Female Star of Tomorrow Award

Soul Train Award for Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year

Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress

St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress

Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress: Drama

Washington, DC Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress

Washington, DC Film Crtics Association Award for Best Breakthrough Performance

Nominated- BET Award for Best Female R&B Artist

Nominated- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress

Nominated- MTV Movie Award for Best Performance

Nominated- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress

Nominated- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

Nominated- Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress (Breakout)

2008 Sex and the City Louise

The Secret Life of Bees Rosaleen Daise Nominated- BET Award for Best Actress

Nominated- Black Reel Award for Best Actress

Nominated- Black Reel Award for Best Ensemble

Nominated- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Movie

2009 Fragments Kathy Archenault

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result

2006 ShoWest Female Star of Tomorrow – Dreamgirls Won

Satellite Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Dreamgirls Won

National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Best Female Breakthrough Performance – Dreamgirls Won

Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Nominated

New York Film Critics Circle Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

New York Film Critics Online Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Breakthrough Performer – Dreamgirls Won

Hollywood Life Awards Breakthrough of the Year – Dreamgirls Won

Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Washington, DC Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Best Breakthrough Performance – Dreamgirls Won

African-American Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Palm Springs International Film Festival Breakthrough Performance – Dreamgirls Won

Las Vegas Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Florida Film Critics Circle Awards Pauline Kael Breakout – Dreamgirls Won

Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Award Breakout Performance – Dreamgirls Won

2007 The National Society of Film Critics Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Nominated

St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Awards Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Austin Film Critics Association Breakout Artist – Dreamgirls Won

Broadcast Film Critics Awards Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Golden Globe Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture – Dreamgirls Won

Screen Actors Guild Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture – Dreamgirls Nominated

NAACP Image Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Movie – Dreamgirls Won

British Academy of Film and Television Awards Actress in a Supporting Role – Dreamgirls Won

Central Ohio Film Critics Awards Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Black Reel Awards Best Supporting Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Best Breakthrough Performance – Dreamgirls Won

Academy Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Dreamgirls Won

Soul Train Awards Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year – Dreamgirls Won

MTV Movie Awards Best Performance – Dreamgirls Nominated

BET Awards Best Female R&B Artist Nominated

Best Actress – Dreamgirls Won

Best New Artist Won

Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actress: Drama – Dreamgirls Won

Choice Movie Actress (Breakout) – Dreamgirls Nominated

2008 Vibe Music Awards VHollywood Award Nominated

Black Reel Awards Best Actress – The Secret Life of Bees Nominated

Best Ensemble – The Secret Life of Bees Nominated

2009 Grammy Awards Best R&B Album – Jennifer Hudson Won

Best R&B Female Vocal Performance – Spotlight Nominated

Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals – I'm His Only Woman featuring Fantasia Nominated

Best R&B Song – Spotlight Nominated

NAACP Image Awards Outstanding New Artist Won

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Movie – The Secret Life of Bees Nominated

Outstanding Female Artist Nominated

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration – I'm His Only Woman featuring Fantasia Won

Outstanding Music Video – Spotlight Nominated

Outstanding Song – Spotlight Nominated

Outstanding Album – Jennifer Hudson Won

BET Awards Best Female R&B Artist Nominated

Best Actress – The Secret Life of Bees Nominated

Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: R&B Artist Nominated

Choice Music: R&B Track – If This Isn't Love Nominated

Soul Train Awards Best R&B/Soul Female Artist Nominated

Song of the Year – "Spotlight" Nominated

People's Choice Awards Favorite R&B Artist Nominated