Meeting The Real Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson is our cover girl for the November issue of “Guideposts.” And we had a really great interview and photo shoot with her in her hometown, Chicago. One thing that impressed me so much when talking with Jennifer about her story is how much she talked about her family. Her mom, her sister and brother, whom she is really close with, and especially her grandmother Julia. Jennifer credits her grandmother Julia for really starting her on her career path to singing. 

Jennifer told us in a story that she begged her choir director at church for a solo when she was seven years old and kept getting rebuffed a bit. And finally when she did get that solo and was up in front of the congregation, started to sing, poor Jennifer forgot the words. And the whole congregation joined in and Jennifer said that at that time, she felt so moved and so inspired and really that is probably her first, in a way, audition. 

I think that we all know about Jennifer and her amazing performances on “American Idol.” She really wowed the crowd and was a favorite. She got voted off a lot sooner than anyone thought, yet for Jennifer, she kept a positive attitude and she always remembered what her grandmother Julia would tell her. Your voice is a gift and no one can ever take that away, because God put it in you. 

And I feel like Jennifer uses that for inspiration in everything she does. Jennifer told us about trying out for the role Effie in “Dreamgirls” and how it was really her dream part. She had hoped and wished for it. She wanted that role. And she tried out almost 10 times for it. When she got the call from the director, Bill Condon, that she had received the role, that she couldn’t contain herself and she went outside and fell to her knees and said a prayer and immediately called her mom. 

Not only got rave reviews for her voice, but also her acting, hence the Oscar win. Jennifer has the role of Rosaleen. It’s a strong role. She plays opposite Dakota Fanning, who plays Lily in “The Secret Life of Bees.” And it’s a star-studded cast. Queen Latifah’s in it, as well as Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo. 

“The Secret Life of Bees” is written by Sue Monk Kidd. And Sue is a longtime “Guidepost” contributor. And Sue is a big favorite of “Guidepost” readers. And with Jennifer in the movie, which is based on Sue’s book, it brings our November cover story to an even bigger, fuller circle.