Jennifer Hudson

From humble beginnings to worldwide acclaim, JENNIFER HUDSON's extraordinary talent was first on display in a small Chicago church choir where, week after week, she brought the congregation to its feet. A decade later, she enchanted audiences worldwide with her Oscar-winning performance (as Best Supporting Actress) in "Dreamgirls," and a Grammy (as the year's best R&B Album) for her eponymous debut recording. Her breakout film performance also garnered a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, the BAFTA and an NAACP Image Award. She was also honored by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the National Board of Review and was named Entertainer of the Year at the Soul Train Awards.

Hudson received an NAACP Image Award nomination in 2009 for her role in Fox Searchlight's "The Secret Life of Bees." Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the stellar cast included Dakota Fanning, Alicia Keys and Queen Latifah. Hudson co-starred in the box office hit "Sex and the City: The Movie," joining the hit television series' original cast of Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis.

In addition to her triumphs on the screen, Hudson is making the same kind of impact in the world of music. She released her sophomore album, I Remember Me, in March, 2011, to rave reviews. The album debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Top 200 and R &B Albums charts and has since been certified RIAA Gold in the U.S.

Hudson's 2008 self-titled debut album won a Grammy Award for Best R & B Album, presented to her onstage by one of Hudson's idols, Whitney Houston. She also received three additional nominations including Best Female R &B Vocal Performance, Best R &B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best R &B Song. The recording then went on to win three awards at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards including Best Album. The RIAA Gold Certified album entered Billboard's Top 200 at No. 2, marked the biggest first week sales for an R&B female entry since 2004, and has sold over 1.1 million copies worldwide.

In early 2009, Hudson performed the national anthem to spectacular response at the Super Bowl. That same year, she began her debut national tour in March to sell-out crowds in every city. Hudson was the 2010 national spokesperson for Weight Watchers. Back in the acting arena, Hudson stars in the biopic "Winnie," filmed on location in South Africa in which she portrays Winnie Mandela, the former wife of South Africa's first black President, Nelson Mandela (Terrence Howard).

© 2012 20th Century Fox