The singer, actor and The Voice judge on singing into hairbrushes, popping bubblegum and her enduring love for Aretha Franklin
Born in Chicago, Jennifer Hudson, 36, rose to fame in 2004 when she was a contestant on American Idol. She went on to appear in the 2006 film Dreamgirls, winning an Oscar for her performance. In 2008, she had a hit with the single Spotlight, and in 2009 won a Grammy for her debut album. She made her Broadway debut – and won a second Grammy – in The Color Purple in 2015. Her latest single is Burden Down and she is a coach on The Voice UK, which starts on ITV this month. She has a son and lives in Chicago.
When were you happiest?
Around the holidays, because I get to spend them with family and friends.
What is your earliest memory?
Sitting on the steps of my mother’s home in Chicago when I was little, singing into a brush like it was a mic.
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Aretha Franklin. I mean, she’s Aretha! That says it all.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I was on Chelsea Handler’s show in 2013, and the zip on the front of my skirt popped open when I sat down.
What would your super power be?
My cousin used say, “Jennifer, you could sing the clouds out of heaven”, so that would be my super power.
What makes you unhappy?
Seeing others hurt.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
I can’t play myself? Prince did.
What is your most unappealing habit?
I love to pop gum loudly.
What is your favourite smell?
Natural smells: vanilla, coconut, chestnut.
Which book changed your life?
The Bible. I’ve been reading it since I was little and it hasn’t failed me yet.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I always wanted to be a singer.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I can never turn down a chocolate chip cookie.
What do you owe your parents?
I owe my mother everything. I wouldn’t be where I am today if she hadn’t been there to raise me right.
Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not meant it?
Never.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
I’d invite my closest family and friends and see who shows up.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“There it go.”
What is the worst job you’ve done?
I’ve loved all my jobs, even when I worked at Burger King.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
I wouldn’t change a thing. Every experience is a lesson learned.
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How do you relax?
I light candles and listen to music.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Professionally, receiving my first Grammy from Whitney Houston.
What keeps you awake at night?
My thoughts.
How would you like to be remembered?
As a human who feels and loves just like everyone else feels and loves.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Nothing is just. Everything leads to something else.
Where would you most like to be right now?
There is no place like home.
Tell us a joke
Why did the orange stop rolling down the hill?
Because it ran out of juice.
The Voice UK returned in show-stopping fashion on Saturday night, as newcomer Olly Murs joined Jennifer Hudson, Sir Tom Jones and will.i.am in the famous red chairs.
But Spotlight hit-maker Jennifer was left red-faced during the show, as she accidentally made a hilarious innuendo, noting she was 'exploring the instrument' of one of the contestants.
The American singer also came to blows with judge Olly during the first episode of the ITV show, quipping that she had 'won an Oscar at 25', as he recalled his X Factor success at that age.
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Hilarious: The Voice UK star Jennifer Hudson was left red-faced during Saturday's show, as she made an accidental innuendo while judging one of the contestants
Jennifer made the hilarious blunder as she judged carpenter Jake Benson, who wowed the judges with the first performance of the night.
The Dreamgirls star then fought to coach the hunk after his rendition of Julia Michaels' Issues, asking him to performan parts of the song again.
As she judged Jake's performance, Jennifer said: 'I'm just exploring your instrument,' leading to fans hysterics over the accidental innuendo.
Impassioned: Jennifer said that was 'exploring the instrument' of contestant Jake Benson, leading to fan hysterics on social media
Hunky: Jake wowed the judges with his version of Julia Michaels' Issues, eventually choosing Jennifer as his coach
So funny: Fans rushed to Twitter to comment on Jennifer's innuendo, though the star did not appear to realise her blunder
Viewers rushed to Twitter to comment on the blunder, one tweeting: 'EXPLORING YOUR INSTRUMENT!!!! oh Jennifer!!!'
Another wrote: 'The Voice just had a perfect innuendo bingo!'
Luckily Jennifer succeeded in winning Jake for her team, and the actress was also seen in a constant mocking battle with fellow judge Olly over their showbiz success.
As Olly revealed his rise to fame to Jennifer in an attempt to win Jake over, he said: 'I’ve been on this journey before. I was 25 - the same age as you.'
At odds: Olly Murs was also quipping with Jennifer during Saturday's show, as he talked about gaining X Factor success at 25
Biting back: Jennifer than argued back that at 25 she had already won an Oscar for her performance in Dreamgirls
Brutal: Despite their quips, Olly bit back later on in the show, as he gave a hilarious impression of Jennifer with a rendition of And I'm Telling You (I'm Not Going)
The Spotlight songstress then quipped back: 'I won an Oscar at 25. I won a show like this at 22. And I have a son.'
Olly and Jennifer's quips continued as the Essex-born singer celebrated being chosen as a coach later in the show, breaking into a rendition of And I'm Telling You (I'm Not Going) - much to Jennifer's dismay.
The singer was celebrating after being chosen to coach Lauren Bannon, who he said he would love to work with even if he wasn't chosen.
He said: 'We had a moment, I could tell that, I could see that. Your voice is incredible. I want you to come and be with me.'
Superstar: Lauren Bannon wowed Olly in the audition stages, with the Wrapped Up singer saying he would like to work with her whether or not he was her coach
Flustered: The star said: 'We had a moment, i could tell that, i could see that. your voice is incredible. i want you to come and be with me'
She will no doubt delight viewers with her ensembles on The Voice.
But Jennifer Hudson got off to a bad start when she suffered a fashion faux pas on arrival at BBC Radio 2 Studios, in London ahead of the series launch on Saturday.
The Dreamgirls star, 36, suffered a wardrobe malfunction when her black bra could be seen through her semi-sheer top which highlighted her cleavage.
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There is no Hudson it! The Voice's Jennifer suffered a major wardrobe malfunction as her bra peeped through semi-sheer top at BBC Radio Studios, in London on Saturday morning
Quick to realise her sartorial slip up, the songstress pulled her woolly cardigan across her ample chest to cover her bra.
Despite the faux pas, the Oscar-winning actress still looked sensational as she pulled her raven locks from her face to show off her heavy eye make-up and dramatic scarlet lipstick.
The musical siren, who has released three albums, did hit the right style notes with her skintight PVC trousers which best showcased her shapely limbs.
She's got style: The musical siren did hit the right style notes with her skintight PVC trousers which best showcased her shapely limbs
Jennifer started out on the UK's version of the show in 2017, before flying back to her native America to be a coach on The Voice US.
The star has a good eye for talent as her hand-picked act Mo Adeniran lifted the trophy in the UK series last year.
Jennifer - who first found fame when she won American Idol - pointed out the differences between the sister shows when she discussed the programme with her co-star Tom Jones.
The cover up! Quick to realise her fashion nightmare, the songstress pulled her woolly cardigan across her ample chest to conceal her bra
Speaking on BBC Radio 2, she said: 'That's always such a tough question to answer. I think you guys are more contained in a way. Obviously, America's very expressive – they're super energetic.
'Here you guys are more reserved, which is just a difference in style. But the talent to me is just as good. That's tough for me, because I've noticed that here in the UK it's a different respect and appreciation for the craft of music and I love that so much.
'I feel like here, music gets the care that it deserves. Whereas in the states it's more about marketing, image and then talent.
Gorgeous lady: Detracting attention away from the wardrobe slip up, the actress pulled her raven locks from her face to show off her heavy eye make-up and dramatic scarlet lipstick
Putting on the Dream(girls) look: The singer will have a series of incredible outfits to pull off on this series of The Voice
Glamorous as ever: American Idol star Jennifer pointed out the differences between the sister shows when she discussed the programme with her co-star Tom Jones
'So that kind of changes it up a bit, because it's not so much about a story it's more about a look, and then a voice. But here, it's talent first.'
The singing sensation was first propelled into the spotlight when she came seventh in American Pop Idol in 2004.
But it wasn't until 2006 that she gained worldwide attention for her Oscar-worthy performance in the movie Dreamgirls.
He's still got it: The 77-year-old star went for an edgy vibe in a leather jacket thrown over a grey sweater and black jeans for his appearance on the radio show
He's ready! Tom looked cheerful as he stepped into the studio to talk about The Voice ahead of its return to the screen on Saturday night
Jennifer admitted she always finds something she likes in her jobs, even when she was working as an employee of a fast food chain. She told The Guardian: 'I’ve loved all my jobs, even when I worked at Burger King.'
Elsewhere Sir Tom Jones, 77, admitted he will still sing his hit Sex Bomb when he is 80 years old.
The singer, who recently underwent a hip replacement operation, insisted he will not tone down his performances.
He said: 'I'll still be singing 'Sex Bomb' at 80 - I've got a new hip. I'll be looking for more new parts, you never know.'
He's the Sex Bomb! The singer confessed the hitmaker will continue to put on his daring performances with his famous song
