Jennifer Hudson was born on September 12, 1981 in Chicago. Her fame started when she became a contestant on “American Idol” in 2004. Hudson was a finalist for the competition but didn’t come out on top in the end. However, she did gain a substantial fan base that stayed loyal and wanted to see her succeed.

In 2005, she got a role in a Broadway musical and Hollywood movie entitled “Dreamgirls.” You may have heard her rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” The film earned her a Golden Globe and an Oscar in the Supporting Actress category.

Hudson was in “The Secret Life of Bees” in 2008, which also starred Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys. In the same year, her self-titled album won a Grammy for Best R&B Album. Hudson recently released her third studio album, JHUD.

Hudson was also a Weight Watchers spokeswoman for a time, losing a substantial amount of weight, becoming an inspiration for many. Hudson keeps busy running and improving her clothing line and various other small projects.

Learn more:
See Hudson’s website here for more information on the pop culture icon