History of Jennifer Hudson in Timeline
Jennifer Hudson, also known as J.Hud, is a highly acclaimed American singer and actress. In 2022, she achieved EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony Award winner), becoming the youngest woman and third African-American to do so. Her impressive career spans music, film, television, and theater. Further recognition includes a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2013) and being named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2020.
September 12, 1981: Birth of Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Kate Hudson, known as J.Hud, was born on September 12, 1981. She would go on to become a renowned American singer and actress.
1999: Graduated from Dunbar Vocational High School
Jennifer Hudson graduated from Dunbar Vocational High School in 1999, marking an important milestone in her early education.
January 2002: Signed First Recording Contract
In January 2002, Jennifer Hudson signed her first recording contract with Righteous Records, a Chicago-based independent label, beginning her professional music career.
April 6, 2004: Highest Votes on American Idol Top 9
On April 6, 2004, Jennifer Hudson received the highest number of votes during the 'Top 9' round of American Idol after performing 'Circle of Life'.
2004: Rise to Fame on American Idol
Jennifer Hudson gained fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, finishing in seventh place and launching her music career.
November 2005: Cast in Dreamgirls
In November 2005, Jennifer Hudson was cast as Effie White in 'Dreamgirls', marking her debut screen performance and launching her film career.
January 9, 2006: Began Filming Dreamgirls
Filming for 'Dreamgirls', featuring Jennifer Hudson as Effie White, began on January 9, 2006, marking the start of an iconic role in her career.
September 2006: Performed 'Over It' Live
In September 2006, Jennifer Hudson performed the song 'Over It' live on Fox Chicago Morning News, showcasing her musical talent before releasing her debut album.
November 2006: Signed Record Deal with Arista Records
In November 2006, Jennifer Hudson signed a record deal with Arista Records, paving the way for the release of her debut studio album.
December 25, 2006: Dreamgirls Limited Release
On December 25, 2006, 'Dreamgirls' had its limited release, showcasing Jennifer Hudson's acclaimed performance in the film.
2006: Awards and Recognition for Dreamgirls
In 2006, Jennifer Hudson received 29 awards from film critics as Best Supporting Actress and Breakthrough Performer for her role as Effie White in Dreamgirls.
2006: Film Debut in Dreamgirls
Jennifer Hudson made her film debut in 2006, playing Effie White in 'Dreamgirls', for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
January 12, 2007: Dreamgirls National Release
'Dreamgirls', featuring Jennifer Hudson, was released nationally on January 12, 2007, solidifying her status as a rising star in Hollywood.
February 11, 2007: BAFTA Award Ceremony Absentia
On February 11, 2007, during the 60th British Academy Film Awards in London, Jennifer Hudson was not present to accept her BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Her award went missing and she only received it on April 22, 2011, on the Graham Norton Show.
February 25, 2007: Oscar Win for Best Supporting Actress
On February 25, 2007, Jennifer Hudson won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film Dreamgirls.
March 2007: Vogue Cover Appearance
In March 2007, Jennifer Hudson became the third African-American celebrity and the first African-American singer to grace the cover of Vogue magazine.
May 27, 2008: Performance on Sex and the City Soundtrack
On May 27, 2008, Jennifer Hudson performed the song 'All Dressed in Love' for the Sex and the City soundtrack.
May 30, 2008: Release of Sex and the City Film
On May 30, 2008, Jennifer Hudson appeared in the feature film Sex and the City, playing the role of Louise, Carrie Bradshaw's assistant.
June 10, 2008: Release of Debut Single 'Spotlight'
On June 10, 2008, Jennifer Hudson released her debut single 'Spotlight', marking her first top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
September 2008: Engagement to David Otunga
In September 2008, Jennifer Hudson became engaged to David Otunga, a professional wrestler and Harvard Law graduate.
September 30, 2008: Debut Album Release
On September 30, 2008, Jennifer Hudson released her debut studio album, Jennifer Hudson, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and received positive reviews.
October 17, 2008: The Secret Life of Bees Film Release
On October 17, 2008, Jennifer Hudson starred in the film The Secret Life of Bees, where she played Rosaleen, alongside notable actors like Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys.
October 24, 2008: Tragedy strikes Hudson's family
On October 24, 2008, Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother were found murdered in their Chicago home. Her nephew was also found deceased later. William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson's sister, was charged and later convicted for the murders.
2008: Release of Debut Studio Album
Jennifer Hudson released her self-titled debut studio album in 2008, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
2008: Grammy Win for 'Love You I Do'
In 2008, Jennifer Hudson won a Grammy Award for 'Love You I Do' as Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, highlighting her musical achievement.
2008: Acted in The Secret Life of Bees and Sex and the City
In 2008, Jennifer Hudson appeared in 'Sex and the City' and 'The Secret Life of Bees', expanding her filmography with notable roles.
January 2009: Postponement of Single Release
In January 2009, Jennifer Hudson's label postponed the release of her second single following family tragedies, eventually rescheduling it for February 2009.
February 2009: Super Bowl XLIII Performance
In February 2009, Jennifer Hudson made her first public appearance since family tragedies by singing the Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XLIII.
May 2009: Performance at White House event
In May 2009, Jennifer Hudson performed at a White House event titled "Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement" after being invited by President Barack Obama.
May 2009: Ranked Sixth Greatest American Idol Contestant
In May 2009, MTV ranked Jennifer Hudson as the sixth greatest contestant in American Idol history, acknowledging her impactful presence on the show.
June 2, 2009: Release of Single 'Giving Myself'
On June 2, 2009, Jennifer Hudson released her third single 'Giving Myself' in the United States, after previous singles were canceled or rescheduled.
July 2009: Performance at Michael Jackson Memorial
In July 2009, Jennifer Hudson sang 'Will You Be There' at the memorial service for Michael Jackson.
August 4, 2009: Fragments Film DVD Release
On August 4, 2009, the film Fragments, featuring Jennifer Hudson as Kathy Archenault, was released on DVD.
August 2009: Birth of son David Daniel Otunga, Jr.
In August 2009, Jennifer Hudson gave birth to her first child, a son named David Daniel Otunga, Jr.
January 22, 2010: Hope for Haiti Now Telethon Performance
On January 22, 2010, Jennifer Hudson performed 'Let it Be' on the Hope for Haiti Now telethon, which raised $61 million for earthquake relief by January 26, 2010.
May 2010: Named Third Greatest American Idol Contestant
In May 2010, the Los Angeles Times named Jennifer Hudson the third greatest American Idol contestant, highlighting her lasting influence on the show.
2010: Filming of Winnie Mandela Biopic
In 2010, Jennifer Hudson began filming the biopic Winnie Mandela, portraying the South African politician alongside Terrence Howard, amidst controversy regarding the casting choice.
January 24, 2011: Premiere of "Where You At"
Jennifer Hudson premiered the lead single "Where You At" from her upcoming album on January 24, 2011. The song, written by R. Kelly, marked another significant step in her musical journey.
February 3, 2011: Chart Debut of "Where You At"
On February 3, 2011, Jennifer Hudson's single "Where You At" made its debut on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number 53, showcasing its immediate impact on the music scene.
February 10, 2011: Weight Loss Revelation on The Oprah Winfrey Show
On February 10, 2011, Jennifer Hudson appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show where she revealed a significant personal achievement, having lost a total of 80 pounds. This revelation highlighted her commitment to health and fitness.
March 22, 2011: Release of "I Remember Me"
On March 22, 2011, Jennifer Hudson released her second studio album "I Remember Me", which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with initial sales of 165,000 copies. This release marked an important milestone in her music career.
2011: Release of Second Studio Album
In 2011, Jennifer Hudson released her second studio album, 'I Remember Me', which reached the top ten of the Billboard 200 charts.
2011: Acted in Winnie Mandela
In 2011, Jennifer Hudson took on the role of Winnie Mandela in the film 'Winnie Mandela', further establishing her acting career.
2011: Residence in Burr Ridge, Illinois
As of 2011, Jennifer Hudson resided in Burr Ridge, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
February 12, 2012: Tribute to Whitney Houston at the Grammy Awards
On February 12, 2012, Jennifer Hudson paid a heartfelt tribute to Whitney Houston by performing "I Will Always Love You" at the 54th Grammy Awards, honoring the late singer's legacy with a powerful performance.
2012: Appeared in Smash
In 2012, Jennifer Hudson appeared in the TV series 'Smash', broadening her television career.
September 6, 2013: Release of Winnie Mandela Film
On September 6, 2013, the film Winnie Mandela, starring Jennifer Hudson as the titular character, was released by Image Entertainment.
September 21, 2013: Release of "I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel)"
On September 21, 2013, Jennifer Hudson released the single "I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel)", a 70s stylized uptempo ballad featuring T.I., marking another exciting release in her musical career.
November 13, 2013: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
On November 13, 2013, Jennifer Hudson was honored with the 2,512th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing her significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
2013: Played in Black Nativity
Jennifer Hudson starred in 'Black Nativity' in 2013, continuing her successful acting career in film.
2013: Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2013, Jennifer Hudson was honored with induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing her significant contributions to entertainment.
September 23, 2014: Release of "JHUD" Album
Jennifer Hudson released her third studio album, "JHUD", on September 23, 2014. The album, characterized by a more upbeat and soulful sound, marked a new chapter in her artistic expression.
2014: Release of Third Studio Album
Jennifer Hudson released her third studio album, 'JHUD', in 2014, which also peaked within the top ten on the Billboard 200.
February 4, 2015: Performance of "Trouble" on The Tonight Show
On February 4, 2015, Jennifer Hudson performed "Trouble" with Iggy Azalea on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. This marked their first live performance of their collaborative single.
2015: Broadway Role in The Color Purple
In 2015, Jennifer Hudson starred in the Broadway revival of 'The Color Purple', showcasing her talents on stage.
2015: Appeared in Empire
Jennifer Hudson made an appearance in the TV series 'Empire' in 2015, adding to her diverse acting roles.
December 21, 2016: Release of Sing featuring Jennifer Hudson
On December 21, 2016, Jennifer Hudson lent her voice to the animated film Sing, where she performed The Beatles' classic "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight". She also sang a duet with Tori Kelly on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" for the film's deluxe soundtrack.
2016: Voiced in Sing and Acted in Confirmation
In 2016, Jennifer Hudson voiced a character in the animated film 'Sing' and appeared in the TV movie 'Confirmation'.
March 3, 2017: Release of 'Remember Me'
On March 3, 2017, Jennifer Hudson released her single "Remember Me".
April 2017: Jennifer Hudson in Sandy Wexler and The Voice UK
In April 2017, Jennifer Hudson starred as singer Courtney Clarke in the film Sandy Wexler. Around the same time, she debuted as a coach on The Voice UK and became the first female coach to win the show with her act, Mo Adeniran.
December 12, 2017: Release of 'Burden Down' and live performance
On December 12, 2017, Jennifer Hudson released her song "Burden Down" and performed "Remember Me" live for the first time during The Voice's semi-final result night.
2017: Became Coach on The Voice
Jennifer Hudson served as a coach on both the UK and US versions of 'The Voice' starting in 2017, becoming the first female coach to lead a winning team in the UK.
January 6, 2018: The Voice UK second series
On January 6, 2018, Jennifer Hudson returned as a coach for her second series of The Voice UK, which concluded on April 7 with her finalist Belle Voci finishing third.
January 27, 2018: Casting for Aretha Franklin biopic
On January 27, 2018, it was announced that Jennifer Hudson was chosen by Aretha Franklin to portray her in an upcoming biopic planned for release in 2021.
March 24, 2018: Performance at March for Our Lives
On March 24, 2018, Jennifer Hudson performed with the D.C. Choir at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C., advocating against gun violence.
2019: Acted in Cats
Jennifer Hudson appeared in the film adaptation of 'Cats' in 2019, adding another musical role to her career.
2019: Concluded Role on The Voice
Jennifer Hudson concluded her role as a coach on 'The Voice' in 2019, having made a significant impact on the show.
March 2020: Release of '#SING4LIFE'
In March 2020, Jennifer Hudson collaborated with Bono, Will.i.am, and Yoshiki to release "#SING4LIFE", a song created to uplift spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Named in Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2020, Time magazine recognized Jennifer Hudson as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, highlighting her impact and influence.
July 20, 2021: Interview with Oprah Winfrey about Respect
On July 20, 2021, Jennifer Hudson was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey regarding her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in the film Respect, which would be released in August 2021.
August 2021: Release of the film Respect
In August 2021, the film Respect, featuring Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin, was released. Hudson's performance was widely acclaimed, earning her numerous award nominations.
August 19, 2021: Jennifer Hudson's Apollo Theater Performance
On August 19, 2021, Jennifer Hudson performed a show at the Apollo Theater titled Jennifer Hudson - Live at the Apollo: A Night of Soul.
September 2021: Daytime Emmy Award win for Baba Yaga
In September 2021, Jennifer Hudson won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program as an executive producer of Baba Yaga.
2021: Portrayed Aretha Franklin in Respect
In 2021, Jennifer Hudson portrayed Aretha Franklin in the musical biopic 'Respect', showcasing her acting and musical talents.
February 2022: NAACP Image Awards wins
In February 2022, Jennifer Hudson won Entertainer of the Year and Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards for her role in Respect.
June 12, 2022: Jennifer Hudson achieves EGOT status
On June 12, 2022, Jennifer Hudson became one of the few individuals to achieve EGOT status after winning a Tony Award, thereby joining the roster of artists who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony.
September 12, 2022: Launch of The Jennifer Hudson Show
On September 12, 2022, Jennifer Hudson launched her syndicated talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show.
2022: Achieved EGOT Status
In 2022, Jennifer Hudson achieved EGOT status, becoming the youngest woman and third African-American to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award.
2022: Relationship with Common
In 2022, Jennifer Hudson began dating rapper and actor Common while working together on their film Breathe.
2022: Won Tony Award as Producer
Jennifer Hudson won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2022 as a producer of 'A Strange Loop', marking another achievement in her career.
2024: Release of First Christmas Album
Jennifer Hudson is set to release 'The Gift of Love', her first Christmas album and solo project in a decade, in 2024.