Jennifer Hudson just won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in her role in “Dreamgirls”. It’s pretty amazing what an American Idol reject can still end up doing with their lives isn’t it?
Can you even imagine what kind of a whirlwind experience this has been for Jennifer? American Idol, major motion picture role, winning a Golden Globe and now an Oscar? I’d call that a fairly successful year for her!
Congratulations Jennifer! And to all the current idol contestants, you’ve made it this far for a reason, keep your wits about you and just see what you can accomplish.
Update: Here’s an …read more

Jennifer Hudson was honored along with Sharen Davis at a MAC Luncheon being held at the SoHo House. Jennifer and Sharen were nominated for Oscars, Sharen was the costume designer for “Dreamgirls”.
The lunch was hosted by MAC Global President John Demsey.  Guests included Andre Leon Talley from VOGUE, jewellery designer Neil Lane, stylist Jessica Paster, and some friends of Jennifer’s. One of Jennifer’s party had a birthday and was treated to a very soulful version of Happy Birthday by Jennifer, who looked radiant in a cream 50’s style dress.
Source

Regretfully though, they miss the Best Picture nod.
The international ensemble “Babel” stood tall as nominations were announced this morning (Jan. 23) for the 79th Annual Academy Awards, although the musical “Dreamgirls” was shut out of the best picture race despite earning eight nominations to seven for “Babel.” “Dreamgirls” garnered best supporting actress and actor nods for Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy, respectively.
Source: Billboard Music News

If you’re going to get knocked off the #1 spot, I’m sure Jennifer Hudson would prefer it to be by another American Idol. The Dreamgirls soundtrack has finally fallen off the #1 spot, but was replaced by Season 5 American Idol contestant, Chris Daughtry’s album “Daughtry”.
Here’s a break down of the current American Idol placements on the Billboard Top 100 Album’s List

#1 – Chris Daughtry: “Daughtry”
#2 – Jennifer Hudson: “Dreamgirls Motion Picture Soundtrack
#9 – Carrie Underwood: “Some Hearts”
#50 – Taylor Hicks: “Taylor Hicks”
#51 – Kellie Pickler: “Small Town Girl”
#66 – Fantasia: “Fantasia”

Here’s another link that was sent to me that …read more

The Dreamgirls album has stayed at #1 after being on the charts for 7 straight weeks.
Get the current chart winners at Billboard.com

A really good story on Yahoo! News by the Associated Press about the credibility American Idol now has with it’s ongoing identification and promotion of singers that actually do have talent.
But as America’s most popular show prepares to kick off its sixth season Tuesday, it’s getting harder and harder for music snobs to deny its cultural import. “American Idol” has consistently churned out multiplatinum stars, Grammy-nominated artists and engaging celebrities (and, just maybe, an Oscar nominee in “Dreamgirls” star and “Idol” alum Jennifer Hudson).
“There were a lot of naysayers,” says Randy Jackson, who along with Abdul and Simon Cowell are …read more

A recent news story on Yahoo! News from the Associated Press, has honored Jennifer Hudson for her role in the hit movie “Dreamgirls”, which also stars Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx and Beyonce Knowles.
Hudson, 25, plays soulstress Effie White in “Dreamgirls,” adapted from the stage hit about a singing group that rises to stardom in the 1960s.
Her film debut has earned a Golden Globe nomination, and she’s considered a potential Oscar nominee.
“I’m going to have to do a lot of praying to get ready for that,” Hudson said of the Academy Award nominations being announced later this month.
A huge and hearty …read more

The soundtrack to the new Dreamgirls movie starring Beyonce Knowles and American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson, hit #1 this week in album sales according to Billboard.com. It also got a dubious distinction of having the lowest sales of any #1 album too.
In a slow week for both sales and new releases, the Sony soundtrack to the Beyonce-starring “Dreamgirls” ascends 3-1 to claim the summit. The set sold 66,000 copies in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan, despite a sales decrease of 36%. Indeed, “Dreamgirls” registers the lowest sales total for a No. 1 album since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking …read more

The OhNoTheyDidn’t website has a great photo that shows a before and after shot of Jennifer Hudson.
After gaining more than 20 lbs. for her Golden Globe-nominated role as Effie in Dreamgirls, the former Idol shed the weight and embraced a more glamorous red-carpet style.
You can see the full-size photo on the OhNoTheyDidn’t website along with some other great celebrity photos.