While Jennifer Hudson may be best known for her role as Effie in the hit movie Dreamgirls, but her aim has been towards a career in music for quite some time. Hudson was raised on the South Side of Chicago and was I the choir at her church by seven years old. She doesn't have to look far to find out where her musical talent came from as her grandmother on her mother's side, Julia Kate Hudson, was also on the choir. Hudson honed her skills both as a singer and an actress in school musicals and talent shows.

A step in the right direction for Hudson came when she won a spot performing on one of Disney's cruise lines in 2002. She stayed with the cruise ship about a year before leaving to audition in Atlanta for the third season of American Idol. Her incredible voice got her past the audition phase and into the top 12. As the voting started, Hudson was wowing everyone, but was somehow voted off during the top seven. Her offing caused controversy with the voting procedures. The appearance still became a springboard for Hudson's career, however, as she got rave reviews from greats like Sir Elton John and Barry Manilow.

The American Idol tour was up next, and Hudson was routinely a favorite. She got to record with Barry Manilow and appear on many other television and radio spots. She has gone on to perform on Broadway with Hair. Her incredible acting and vocal talent also led to her winning the role of Effie in 2005. That appearance led to her winning a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress along with a slew of other awards and recognitions. Her songs from the film charted and helped to bring out her debut album, which was released in September of 2008.