Biography
Who is Jennifer Hudson?
Early life and education
Jennifer Hudson Kate Hudson was born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up as the youngest of three children born to Darnell Donerson and Samuel Simpson, and she was raised primarily by her mother in Englewood on the South Side. Her father worked as a Greyhound Lines bus driver, while her mother and siblings handled other driving and school roles.
She attended Dunbar Vocational High School and graduated in 1999. Later, she enrolled at Langston University, but she left after a single semester due to homesickness and weather issues. She subsequently registered at Kennedy-King College while pursuing her early performance goals in church choirs and community theater.
Rise to fame on American Idol
Jennifer auditioned for the third season of the reality television singing competition American Idol in Atlanta. During the competition, she performed songs such as Elton John's Circle of Life and Barry Manilow's Weekend in New England. She placed seventh overall during her run on the show in 2004.
Despite not winning the competition, her elimination was noted by media outlets as one of the most shocking exits in the history of the program. Publications such as the Los Angeles Times and MTV later ranked her among the top contestants in the show's history.
Music career and albums
Following her time on television, Jennifer signed a recording contract with Arista Records. She released her self-titled debut studio album in 2008, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and won Best R&B Album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.
Her subsequent studio albums included I Remember Me in 2011 and JHUD in 2014, both of which reached the top ten of the Billboard 200. She later released her fourth album, The Gift of Love, through Interscope Records, marking her first solo musical project in a decade.
Acting career and EGOT status
Jennifer made her feature film debut as Effie White in the musical adaptation Dreamgirls in 2006. Her powerful performance of the song And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going brought widespread critical acclaim, earning her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
She expanded her acting resume with roles in Sex and the City, The Secret Life of Bees, and a portrayal of Aretha Franklin in the musical biopic Respect. In 2022, she achieved EGOT status by winning a Tony Award as a producer for A Strange Loop, making her the youngest woman and third African-American recipient of all four major American entertainment awards.
Birthday and age
Jennifer Hudson was born on September 12, 1981, which makes Jennifer 45 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Jennifer shares the date with 32 other famous people.
Explore more
