Jennifer Hudson (born September 12, 1981) is an actress and singer best known for her role as Effie White in the film version of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Hudson was first discovered as one of the top twelve finalists in the third season of the Fox reality hit
American Idol. Though she didn't win the show's coveted record deal, Hudson beat out
American Idol-winner Fantasia Barrino for the once-in-a-lifetime role of White in Dreamgirls, originally played by Tony-winning legend Jennifer Holliday. Hudson has since appeared in The Secret Life of Bees, Winged Creatures, and Sex and The City: The Movie. In November of 2006, Hudson signed with Arista Records.
In October of 2008, Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew were found murdered in Hudson's hometown of Chicago, IL. Estranged brother-in-law William Balfour was named as a suspect.
Hudson is engaged to David Otunga, best known as "Punk" from the television show I Love New York 2.
