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Jennifer Hudson Biography

Birth Name:
Jennifer Kate Hudson
Birth Place:
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Profession
Singer, actor

Fast Facts

  • First public singing appearance was in church at age 7
  • Performed in musical productions on a Disney cruise ship
  • Gained a following singing her way into a finalist spot in season three of American Idol
  • Won the role as Effie White in the film version of Dreamgirls after beating out more than 700 others who had auditioned, including Fantasia Barrino, the winner of the third season of American Idol
  • Released her self-titled debut album in September 2008; it was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
  • Won three NAACP Image Awards in 2009, including one for Outstanding New Artist
  • Featured in a 2010 ad campaign for Weight Watchers

Awards

  • 2007Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2007Critics' Choice Awards-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2007BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2006Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006Chicago Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006Black Reel Awards-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006Black Reel Awards-Best Song: nominated
  • 2006Black Reel Awards-Best Breakthrough Performance: nominated
  • 2006Austin Film Critics-Breakthrough Artist: winner
  • 2006National Society of Film Critics-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006National Board of Review-Breakthrough Performance by an Actress: winner
  • 2006New York Film Critics Society-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006New York Film Critics Online-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006New York Film Critics Online-Best Breakthrough Performance: winner
  • 2006Washington D.C. Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Southeastern Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006Satellite Awards-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006Phoenix Film Critics Association-Breakout Performance of the Year - On Screen: winner
  • 2006Online Film Critics Association-Breakthrough Performer: nominated
  • 2006Online Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006Oklahoma Film Critics Circle-Breakout Performance: winner
  • 2006Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress (Runner-up): winner
  • 2006Las Vegas Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2006Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2006Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: winner

Relationships

  • Jason Hudson -- Brother
  • James Payton -- Ex-significant Other
  • Samuel Samson -- Father
  • David Otunga -- Fiancé
  • Julia Kate Hudson -- Grandmother
  • Darnell Donerson -- Mother
  • Julia Hudson -- Sister
  • David Daniel Otunga Jr. -- Son