Jennifer Hudson

Having had some musical experience during her childhood such as performing in gospel choirs and touring for Disney’s Hercules: The Musical, Jennifer Hudson was well-prepared when she finally broke out onto the pop culture scene during the third season of Fox’s American Idol.

Although Hudson didn’t become the official American Idol — finishing in seventh while Fantasia Barrino took the title — she went on to star in one of Hollywood’s most successful movie musicals, Dreamgirls, for which she won an Oscar in 2007.

Hudson followed up her silver screen debut with a role in 2008’s Sex and the City: The Movie opposite Sarah Jessica Parker.

She was married to to actor David “Punk” Otunga from 2002 to 2017. The couple welcomed their first child, son David Daniel Otunga Jr., in August 2009. Hudson confirmed in January 2024 that she was dating Common after more than a year of romance rumors.

Hudson faced a family tragedy in October 2008 when her mother, brother and nephew were found brutally murdered at their Chicago home.