Grammy-winning singer and multi-talented American actress Jennifer Hudson is a prominent figure in the American entertainment industry. The gorgeous celebrity gained fame after she was a finalist in the 3rd season of American Idol in 2004. Hudson is best known for her role in the award-winning film DreamGirls. The charming actress has received numerous awards, including Oscar, Grammy, and Emmy awards for her outstanding and immense contributions to the American entertainment industry.
There is so much to learn about the multi-talented celebrity, but here are a few things about Jennifer Hudson’s biography, age, height, personal life, husband, fortune, and other facts.
Jennifer Hudson Biography (Age and Family)
The multi-talented celebrity Jennifer Kate Hudson was born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. Together with her two siblings, she grew up as a Baptist in Eastwood. Her parents were Samuel Simpson and Darnell Donnerson. She has American citizenship and African-American ethnic background.
During her childhood, Hudson joined the church choir and with the help of her grandmother named Julia began performing in the church theater at the age of 7. In 1999 she attended Dunbar Vocational High School and graduated. After graduating from Dunbar High School, she enrolled at Langston University where she spent only one semester and left because of adverse weather conditions and distance. She transferred to Kennedy-King College where she received her bachelor’s degree.
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Career and Rise To Fame
After graduating from college, Jennifer Hudson began her music career in 2002 after signing a five-year contract with Chicago-based Righteous Records. A few years after her contract expired, she was released and was able to perform in the talent show American Idol in 2004. In the American Idol competition, Jennifer made it to the finals, but unfortunately, she finished seventh. Through the show, she was able to build a huge fan base and her popularity began to grow.
Jennifer Hudson also made her film debut after auditioning and winning for the role of Motown singer in the movie Dreamgirls. For her impressive performance, the young actress was awarded the Gloden Globe and an Oscar in the same year. The multi-talented actress became stronger and stronger in her film career and continued her music career at the same time. In 2008 she appeared in the film Sex in The City and later that year she released her debut album, Jennifer Hudson, on September 30 of the same year.
Jennifer’s debut album made it to number 2 in the American music charts Billboard 200 and sold over a million copies in the United States. The album was also awarded a Grammy for Best RnB Album in 2008.
Jennifer Hudson Awards and Recognition
The amazing singer has received numerous awards since the beginning of her career thanks to her brilliant and excellent performances both in films and as a singer. She was awarded a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her recording on November 13, 2013, and she is one of 27 actresses honored for her outstanding roles in a musical.
To date, this multi-talented actress has been nominated for 78 awards, of which she has won 38. Her last album, JHUD, was released in 2014, and she is currently one of the jury members of the American singing competition The Voice.
Jennifer Hudson’s Net Worth
Although the multi-talented actress and singer Hudson did not win the American Idol show, she has risen above the level and has had more successes than any of her fellow finalists. She has amassed so much wealth by selling her debut album, Jennifer Hudson, in 2008. The album was a hit and sold over a million copies in the United States.
The star actress has also made a lot of money with her acting career since her first movie debut in the award-winning Dreamgirls in 2006. Since then, her net worth has steadily increased at the peak of her career. Jennifer Hudson currently has an estimated net worth of 20 million dollars.
Jennifer Hudson’s Family Tragedy
Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson, her brother Jason Hudson and her nephew Julian King were reportedly killed during a home invasion and kidnapping in October 2008. However, according to a series of FBI investigations, the perpetrator was Jennifer’s former brother-in-law William Balfour. Chicago Tribune reported that he was convicted on 77 counts of first-degree murder, trespassing, and aggravated kidnapping. William Balfour is currently incarcerated at the Statesville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois.
Despite her loss, Jennifer has remained strong throughout her career, although she has come under pressure whenever she remembers that her close family members are no longer around. According to her, she finds comfort in her son, whom she gave birth to a year after the tragedy.
Personal Life: Married / Husband
The gorgeous celebrity has had few relationships in the past. She had been with a man named James Payton since she was 18 years old. Their relationship finally broke up in 2007 after the duo decided to end the relationship.
A year later Jennifer met David Otunga, a Harvard law graduate, and professional WWE wrestler. The couple became engaged in September 2008, and in August 2009 the couple welcomed their first baby, Daniel Otunga Jr. Although they had been together for ten years, the duo separated in November 2017 and fought for custody of their son Daniel.
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Weight Loss
The Grammy-winning superstar, unlike some other celebrities who set out on the path of celebrity weight loss, shared her 2010 success story, losing 80 pounds and maintaining her figure for over seven years. That’s an impressive part of the story, isn’t it?
You may wonder what she did that helped her maintain her slim body structure to this day. The multi-talented superstar has also become a role model for many people who want to ride the same line.
Jenny also became a spokesperson for Weight Watchers, an American company that offers products to support weight loss. She published an autobiography entitled I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down,” which details everything about her journey to lose weight.
Quick Facts about Jennifer Hudson – Height/Wiki
- Birth Name: Jennifer Kate Hudson
- Date of Birth: September 12, 1981
- Birth City: Chicago, United States
- Birth Sign: Virgo
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: African-American
- Education: Kennedy-King College
- Profession: Singer, actress
- Height: 175 cm
- Weight: 70 kg (154 pounds)
- Body Measurements: 35-28-36
- Marital Status: Single
- Spouse: David Otunga
- Children: 1 (Daniel Otunga Jr)
- Net Worth: $20 million
