Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson -- singer, actress, and television personality -- first caught the public's attention as a finalist on the third season of "American Idol" in 2004. This platform launched her career, leading to her breakout role in the 2006 film "Dreamgirls," for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This was one of many accolades Hudson would earn for her performances, as she also received 29 awards from film critics as Best Supporting Actress and Breakthrough Performer of 2006, and won the Golden Globe Award as Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Hudson's recognition extended beyond the film industry, as she was the first African-American singer to grace the cover of Vogue magazine, and in 2007, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

While her acting career was taking off, Hudson also built a successful music career. She released several studio albums, including Jennifer Hudson (2008) and I Remember Me (2011), and her debut single, "Spotlight," became a top 40 hit. Alongside her music and acting ventures, Hudson also made a name for herself on television, serving as a coach on both the UK and US versions of the reality series "The Voice" and later hosting her own talk show, "The Jennifer Hudson Show." She made her Broadway acting debut in the musical "The Color Purple" in 2015 and was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013,

Hudson's talents were further recognized in 2022 when she became the youngest woman and third African-American recipient of all four major American entertainment awards (EGOT). This milestone was achieved following her role in the film "Respect," in which she portrayed the legendary singer Aretha Franklin. The performance also earned Hudson a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, and the film's soundtrack received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Continuing her diverse career, Hudson is set to star in the upcoming film "Breathe" and continues to host her talk show, further establishing her as a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry.