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.
A source of perpetual inspiration to millions of young hopefuls, African-American pop diva-turned-actress Jennifer Hudson proved -- with glorious bravado -- that the most gifted and determined young talents can bounce back from a painful and public rejection and land squarely at the pinnacle of success, transcending even what they might have accomplished had the initial rejection never occurred.
Born September 12, 1981, in Chicago, IL, Hudson was blessed with an astounding vocal range of six octaves and a perfect musical ear as a young girl, and rigorously trained as a chanteuse from the age of seven, initially in her Baptist church choir, then in dozens upon dozens of stage musicals and talent shows during adolescence. After high school, she briefly attended college but dropped out not long after. In 2002, 21-year-old Hudson landed a job as featured vocalist on the Disney Wonder cruise ship.
Circa 2004, with American audiences deep in the throes of reality television, Hudson auditioned in Atlanta, GA, for the third season of Fox's American_Idol series, made the cut, and quickly moved along to the semifinalist round. Her songs as a participant in the series included Whitney_Houston's "I Have Nothing," Elton_John's "The Circle of Life," and Martha & the Vandellas' "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave." Though Ryan_Seacrest later indicated that Hudson received a higher number of votes than any performer from a previous episode, Hudson was unceremoniously eliminated from the running.
Reigning judge Randy_Jackson -- a highly respected music producer -- brought Hudson back in the "wildcard" round to join the finalists, but with seven contenders remaining, Hudson was booted off of the series -- despite the well-publicized fact that her range and ability clearly outflanked those of her competitors. That decision infuriated millions;
Elton_John -- a previous guest judge on Idol -- accused Simon_Cowell and others of stark racism, while other commentators, acknowledging that two of Hudson's competitors were also African-American, suspected a deliberate decision to split the contenders demographically. Regardless of the reason, Hudson quickly overcame her disappointment. 
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.
http://elizabethsmarts.blogspot.com/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.
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