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Jennifer Hudson Biography

Birth Name:Jennifer Hudson

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Soundtrack, Actress, Producer, Music department

Fast Facts

  • Created the Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims in honor of her family members who were murdered
  • Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013
  • Received the 2016 March of Dimes Grace Kelly Award
  • Started performing in her church choir at the age of 7 with the encouragement of her grandmother
  • Worked aboard a Disney Cruise ship as a show singer before auditioning for "American Idol․"
  • Quote: "[on being famous] "It feels like another Jennifer life․ I don't look the same․ I'm a mother now․ So many things have changed․ I sometimes think the only constant is my voice․ That hasn't gone away․""
  • Quote: "[on singing] "I just tried to live in the moment and be natural, as if there were no cameras there․""
  • Well known for her powerful singing voice
  • Released the book "I Got This: How I Changed My Ways, Found Myself and Lost Everything that Weighed Me Down" in 2012
  • Beat out actress Raven-Symoné and musician Fantasia Barrino for her role in "Dreamgirls․"
  • Was the first Black singer to appear on the cover of Vogue
  • Had never seen the "Sex and the City" series before being cast in the film

Awards

  • 2006AAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006EDA Award-Best Performance by an Actress or Actor in Support of a Female Protagonist or Female Perspective: winner
  • 2006CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006Pauline Kael Breakout Award-: winner
  • 2006Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2006Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006NBR Award-Breakthrough Performance - Female: winner
  • 2006NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006NYFCO Award-Breakthrough Performance: winner
  • 2006NYFCO Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006OFCC Award-Best Breakout Performance: winner
  • 2006PFCS Award-Breakout Performance of the Year - On Screen: winner
  • 2006Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2006SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006TFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance, Female: nominated
  • 2006WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006WAFCA Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: winner
  • 2007Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2007Breakthrough Artist Award-: winner
  • 2007BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2007BET Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2007Black Reel-Best Song: nominated
  • 2007Black Reel-Best Song: winner
  • 2007Black Reel-Best Breakthrough Performance: winner
  • 2007Black Reel-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2007COFCA Award-Breakthrough Film Artist: winner
  • 2007COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2007Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2007Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2007Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2007Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2007Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2007INOCA-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2007MTV Movie Award-Best Performance: nominated
  • 2007NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2007NTFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2007OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Adapted Song: winner
  • 2007OFTA Film Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: Female: winner
  • 2007OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2007OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Adapted Song: nominated
  • 2007OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2007OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2007OFCS Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: nominated
  • 2007Breakthrough Performance Award-: winner
  • 2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Drama: winner
  • 2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Breakout Female: nominated
  • 2008Black Reel-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2008Grammy-Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: nominated
  • 2008Hollywood Film Award-Ensemble Acting of the Year: winner
  • 2009BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2009Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2013Dorian Award-TV Musical Performance of the Year: winner
  • 2013WFCC Award-Best Song: winner
  • 2013WFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2014Hollywood Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2014Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2015OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2016Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2017Dorian Award-TV Musical Performance of the Year: nominated
  • 2017MTV Movie + TV Award-Best Musical Moment: nominated
  • 2017Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Comedy: nominated
  • 2018HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Documentary: winner
  • 2019Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: nominated
  • 2019RTS Television Award-Entertainment Performance: nominated
  • 2021DFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2021HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Feature Film: nominated
  • 2021HMMA Award-Song - Onscreen Performance: nominated
  • 2021People's Choice Award-Favorite Female Movie Star: nominated
  • 2021SFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2021WIN Award-Outstanding Actress Feature Film: nominated
  • 2022AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actress: nominated
  • 2022Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2022AAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2022BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2022Black Reel-Outstanding Actress: nominated
  • 2022Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: nominated
  • 2022Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2022Grammy-Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: nominated
  • 2022Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2022ICFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2022MTV Movie + TV Award-Best Song: nominated
  • 2022Chairman's Award-: winner
  • 2022Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2022Satellite Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2022SCL Award-Outstanding Original Song for a Comedy or Musical Visual Media Production: nominated
  • 2023Image Award-Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) - Individual or Ensemble: winner
  • 2024Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Daytime Talk Series: nominated
  • 2025Daytime Emmy-Daytime Talk Series Host: nominated
  • 2025Image Award-Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) - Individual or Ensemble: winner