A loser on the third season of TV's "American Idol," Jennifer Hudson proved to be a winner in real life as she took home Oscar and Golden Globe statuettes and a host of other honors for the career-making role of Effie White in the 2006 screen adaptation of the Broadway play "Dreamgirls."Born Sept. 12, 1981, Chicago native Hudson -- who has no formal vocal training -- honed her skills singing in church choirs and performing in local theater productions and talent shows. In 2003, she landed her first major performing gig with a role in a Disney Cruise Line musical.
After touring with former "Idol" performers in 2004, Hudson beat out hundreds of other Effie aspirants for the Dreamgirls role that established her as not only a powerful singer but a fine actress.
The Secret Life of BeesHaunted by her mother's death, 14-year-old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) escapes her dreary life on her father's farm and heads to Tiburon, S.C., with friend and caregiver Rosaleen Daise (Jennifer Hudson), spawning a life-changing journey of self-discovery. Set amid the hotbed of racial tensions in... Read More
Winnie (2011) | NR | |
NR | ||
R | ||
The Secret Life of Bees (2008) | PG-13 | |
NR | ||
Dreamgirls (2006) | PG-13 | |
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