She Got Soul: Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson is ready to go center stage!

That Dress  - The musical contest’s snarky judge Simon Cowell bashed the pink dress Jennifer wore back in 2004, during comments on her performance. “Simon also said I looked ‘hideous’ in my custom-made pink taffeta dress. This was a dress that I had designed myself, and had made for me by a friend. I liked it. But even my sister called to say I looked like I should be on an Easter egg hunt. So, maybe that outfit wasn’t my best, but at least the judges said that they liked my song that night, and to me, that was the reason why I was there.”  (Photo: Ray Mickshaw/WireImage)

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From Aspiring Singer to American Idol - Jennifer Hudson's major introduction to the world came during the third season of American Idol. Though she did not win, her performances and star power helped cultivate a loyal following and opened up opportunities for her not just in music but movies as well.  (Photo: Ray Mickshaw/WireImage)

DREAMGIRLS (Photo: Dreamworks)

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She's Not Goooing - Hudson's next big career move was portraying Effie White in the big-screen adaption of Dreamgirls, starring alongside Beyonce, Anika Noni Rose and Jamie Foxx. She would receive both an Oscar and Grammy nod for her rendition of "Love You I Do." (Photo: Dreamworks)

Continued Accolades - No stranger to BET, Jennifer Hudson won the Best New Artist award during the 2007 BET Awards. (Photo: Michael Caulfield/WireImage for BET Network)

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Continued Accolades - No stranger to BET, Jennifer Hudson won the Best New Artist award during the 2007 BET Awards. (Photo: Michael Caulfield/WireImage for BET Network)

Spokesperson Status - In 2010, Hudson became a spokesperson for Weight Watchers. In an interview with Oprah the following year, she revealed that she lost 80 pounds.   (Photo: Weight Watchers Magazine, March/April 2013)

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Spokesperson Status - In 2010, Hudson became a spokesperson for Weight Watchers. In an interview with Oprah the following year, she revealed that she lost 80 pounds. (Photo: Weight Watchers Magazine, March/April 2013)

A True Honor - Hudson helped shake things up in a positive way when she performed at BET Honors 2012. Honorees included Dr. Maya Angelou, Spike Lee and the Tuskegee Airmen. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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A True Honor - Hudson helped shake things up in a positive way when she performed at BET Honors 2012. Honorees included Dr. Maya Angelou, Spike Lee and the Tuskegee Airmen. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Photo By Brad Barket/PictureGroup

"No One Gonna Love You" - Making it clear that nobody will ever love her lover like she can, Jennifer Hudson roared passionately on "No One Gonna Love You." The song was so influential that J. Cole sampled it for his single "Crooked Smile."  (Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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A Beautiful and Somber Moment - Hudson captured the country's heart once again when she performed "America the Beautiful" with the Sandy Hook Elementary School Chorus before the start of Super Bowl XLVII. (Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images