Jennifer Hudson: Headed for "Smash"

When “American Idol” alumni first auditioned for the hit singing show, she managed to impress the judges enough – Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson – with her big voice to make it on the show as one of the top 12. Hudson was eliminated during Barry Manilow week, much to the award winning entertainer’s surprise, in season three; landing in sixth place.

In 2006 Hudson landed a dream role in an upcoming movie, beating out over 700 other actresses including fellow Idol alum and season three winner Fantasia. Hudson played Effe White – opposite Eddie Murphy and Beyonce Knowles – in the film adaptation of “Dreamgirls”.

Hudson may not have impressed Idol voters enough to land a trophy on the show, but after her performance in “Dreamgirls”, she took home an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Critic’s Choice Award, and a SAG Award for her role as Effe White.

Now Hudson will be teaming up with another Idol alum when she plays Tony Award winning actress Veronica Moore in a guest role on the upcoming season of “Smash”. “Smash” star Katherine McPhee was the runner up on Idol in season five; losing out to Alabama boy Taylor Hicks.

Hudson was born Jennifer Kate Hudson in Chicago in 1981. She grew up singing in the church and acting in local theater. Along with her numerous film awards, Hudson earned herself a Grammy Award in 2008.

Besides her debut film role in “Dreamgirls”; Hudson has appeared in the “Sex and the City” movie, “Fragments”, “The Secret Life of Bees”, as Winnie Mandela in the film “Winnie”, and “The Three Stooges” as Sister Rosemary.