PHOTOS BY HAYLEY MURPHY
that she certainly ain’t going nowhere and she can be sexy too, girlfriend is working them puppies!
These portraits of Jennifer come from a photo session she partaked in this week. There’s always news with Miss Hudson – it has recently been revealed that among being nominated for an Academy Award, she will also be performing at the ceremony with her “Dreamgirls’ costars – Beyonce and Anika.
Another big performance her way, Clive Davis gave her the honor of performing at his premiere Grammy pre-party tomorrow evening along with Justin Timberlake. Yes Jenn is sitting on top of the world.
Im excited to see their performance. I know they have to do the and I am telling you scene like Jennifer Holiday, Loretta Devine and Sheryl Lee Ralph did back in the 80′s. This is gonna be hot – classic.
y’all need to read this article
IS HUDSON FEELING IT?
Rumor has it that Jennifer “Singing on Gay Cruises for Jesus” Hudson isn’t as humble as one would expect from someone who just started receiving all of this praise no more than four months ago. In the March issue of Essence magazine, which hits newsstands February 12th, Hudson had a little chit-chat about Broadway icon, Jennifer Holliday, who played the original Effie White in the Broadway version of Dreamgirls in 1981. She philosophizes, “First off, don’t let that be the only song you’re performing. Pursue other things and don’t just limit yourself to that. I don’t intend to say, ‘Okay, I’m going to sing this song for the rest of my life, and this will be the only character that I portrayed.’ I’m Jennifer, not Effie. I’m flexible and different and have other dreams and other goals and songs to pursue.”
Is Jennifer Hudson feeling it? Isn’t it a little too early for an American Idol castaway to give advice to the woman who paved the way for there to even to be an Effie White character past the second act? In addition, while “And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going)” is Holliday’s biggest and most popular hit, it is not her ONLY hit. Anyone who knows their female soul music of the ’80′s history knows: Holliday’s 1983 song, “I Am Love,” from her Feel My Soul album, hit number two on the US R&B charts and number 49 on the Us Hot 100 and she would also follow with “Just Let Me Wait” (#23 US R&B Charts). In 1985 Holliday garnered two other hit singles “Hard Time For Lovers” (#17 US R&B Charts, #69 US Hot 100) and “No Frills Love” (US R&B #29, #87 US Hot 100). Between 1987-1991 Holliday would have three other R&B hit singles including the #10 hit “I’m On Your Side.” Holliday is also a two-time Grammy Award winner, in 1982 for “And I Am Telling You” and 1985 for her song “Come Sunday.” Also, just as a point, charting on the R&B charts in the ’80′s wasn’t disregarded as it is today…black artists rarely got airplay on “mainstream” radio and charting on the Hot 100 was nowhere near an easy task for a black female artist. From 1996-2001 she garnered three number one dance hits. Of course no one can forget her appearances on the hit Fox series Alley McBeal and she even performed for President Bill Clinton in 1997. Does this sound like the work of a woman who only let one song be the only song she is performing? It is her signature song, but every artist has that–what would a Tina Turner concert be without “Proud Mary”?
Many might feel as if, “Yeah, well Holliday didn’t match the success of ‘And I Am Telling You’,” while that is true it is ridiculous to say she didn’t pursue others things and limited herself. Holliday’s career fell victim to the music industry like several of the great soul R&B divas of the ’80′s such as Regina Belle, Phyllis Hyman and many others. Regina Belle’s biggest hit was “Baby Come To Me” but many people (at least in the black community) know her for classics like, “If I Could” and “Make It Like It Was.” Phyllis Hyman— an amazing singer who came from Broadway and was battered and abused by the music industry is probably best known for “Meet Me On the Moon”, but her catalogue in the black community is huge (“Old Friend”, “Living In Confusion”, “Don’t Wanna Change The World”, etc.) If you ask the average person (not rooted in urban music) whose name they recognize outside of Hyman, Belle, and Holliday—I think most people would say Holliday. This is not to say Holliday has had a plush career, there are rumors of her attitude (I have know idea if they are true) when working with people, but one must keep in mind—the music industry for great black female singers of the 1980′s was incredibly tough, vicious and cut throat. Belle, Holliday, Hyman and so many others paved the way for artists like Jennifer Hudson. If Hudson could pay homage to Florence Ballard in her Golden Globes acceptance speech is to too much to pay homage to Jennifer Holliday? Most importantly, how can Hudson make such an assessment about Holliday when she hasn’t even released an album or had a hit single?
Many might think, well, this is pop culture fluff. It is pop culture, but homage is paramount. I do think there is something to be said about paying respect to those before you especially for a Broadway play like Dreamgirls that completely changed Broadway and black theater. Without Holliday the role of Effie White wouldn’t have been the main character. I am somewhat shocked how the creators of the film version of Dreamgirls have treated Holliday. Jennifer Holliday, Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson have all spoken out against the film because once again the Hollywood machine is profiting off the backs of people who have paved the way while they get no recognition, respect or royalties…I mean, honestly and truly, the way they robbed Diana Ross’ story was uncanny. Therefore, for Hudson to babble about Holliday is deeply disappointing. For all we know history might viciously repeat itself with Jennifer Hudson…it is already starting, the similarities with their names, winning awards and outshining the rest of the cast. The difference is, while Hudson can sing, she is not a mucus membrane of a singer or an actress as Jennifer Holliday. The music industry is even more cut-throat now so I am looking forward to seeing where Hudson’s “flexible and different” dreams will go—especially considering she STILL has not sung “And I Am Telling You” live!
The woman is GORGEOUS!!! i hope her 15 minutes of fames get sttttreched to the max!!
Um #43, Jenn to got her fame from american idol. I can’t stand when people talk about Jen not gettin her fame from Idol. It was idol that got her this role. From her own mouth she said that if it werent for idol, she would have never gotten the part. Plus the music composer for dreamgirls(who won a golden globe) was a big jen fan from seeing her on idol. So yes she got her fame from idol just like anyone else who are successful from the show.
^ but Jennifer is making her own fame now. AI was just a platform, one step for her to make it big. Now she is out doing her own thing, and God has blessed her so much. And as for AI, notice that Kelly Clarkson, Ruben, Clay Aiken, and Fantasia have all dropped their managers from AI, so that says that this show is not all peaches and cream…
Smh at people saying Fanny got Jennifer beat. That first had that AI steam added to it and now her second album is sitting in the damn 25cent bin.
And yes I am comparing them! Take Fantasia’s shine and then Jenni’s shine. Who do you think is rocking it harder.
That girl didn’t even WIN AI and is rocking hard.
smh you have got to be a die hard Fanny head….
Go head J Hud! Rep 4 us browner skin women. Watch when U win that Oscar, U gone get that cover on Vogue!
Not trying to hate on J-Hud, Love her but….these pics are old these were taken before Dreamgirls. Producers said she was too small and needed to gain more weight to play Effie.
SHE’S HOOTTTT….Will you marry me?
She looks pretty but as someone already mentionned, those pics are old. It’s from almost 2 years ago. She was in fact smaller back then but had to gain weight for the movie. She lost some weight but she said that the producers of Dreamgirls told her not to lose so much cause she still has to promote the movie… She will probably go back to her previous size while promoting her upcoming album.
money makes people look beautiful…shes ok but with makeup she is HOT…i love her shape she lost just enough weight.
And I Love it!
I was wondering why she looks younger now. Ok, so these are old pics. Got it!
Why does it have to be Jen or Fanny? Why can’t both the sistas shine. Ain’t there enough money and fame out there for both of them? DAMN!
You don’t hear white folks talking bout Carrie Underwood is more famous than Kelly Clarkson. No, they are too busy supporting both artists and making sure their albums are 5x platinum to pit them against each other.
The music industry finally has what damn near everybody wanted, two young black women that can REALLY blow and it seems like some people want one to fail so the other can succeed.
I plan to support both of them.
It’s kind of silly to compare Jennifer to Fantasia, they sound nothing alike, though I personally adore Jennifer much more than I do Fantasia. That’s just my opinion. And that’s all it really is on these boards. Opinions. Some people like Jennifer. Some people like Fantasia, but that does not mean that they need to be compared.
And I just have to say if Jennifer wins her Oscar which I am praying for:
Winning an Oscar > Winning American Idol anyday
On another note, people will hate. That’s how you know you’re doing what you’re suppoed to.
Also, I’d like to see anyone on here that complained about Jennifer’s performance on Aretha’s tribute to get their ass up on a stage in front of Aretha Franklin and perform it better than Jennifer.
Didn’t think so.
I agree with #74 you are so right we should support our artist more. But were to busy trying to start rumor about Beyonce feuding with Jennifer or who’s better Fantasia or Jennifer. Because we all know the Miss Britney Spears can’t sing her way out of a paper bag and they support her like she’s the best.
Cant wait to see Beyonce, Jennifer and Anika p
My Opinion! I hope Jennifer wins an Oscar but I don’t think it will happen. The reason I’m saying this is because look at all of the veterans in the acting game look how long it took Halle, Denzel and Jamie. I think it will really be a slap in the face to all of the other great black actors and actress. Kimberly Elise should have one she is amazing she really should have one and Angela Bassett she should have had one for What’s Love Got To Do With It. And Eddie Murphy he should have had one for Nutty Professor who in the hell could have played all of those people. He really should have had one.
Jennifer was great in Dreamgirls but I think her singing was better than her acting not that her acting was bad.
Why can’t JENNIFER just be FABULOUS and that’s just it? Why compare EVERYONE at ALL times? You CAN’T compare these people (JHUDD, FANBUR, BKNOWLES, LOL) because they are ALL different types of ARTIST. They DO NOT sing the SAME! Fantasia SCREAMS a tad BIT too much for me but she’s still a GREAT singer, BEYONCE’s VOICE is more SMOOTH and is MADE for TRENDY SONGS, and JHUDDS VOICE is a POWER HOUSE ( I think she might have to TAME it down a TAD for the youngins, but she’ll learn to do that as she gets older).
I’m NOT the type of CHICK to JUMP on BANDWAGONS, if somethings FAKE then it’s FAKE… but there is SOMETHING about JHUDD that’s SPECIAL. Her VOICE reminds you of the GREATS (ARETHA, WHITNEY, MARIAH), and if she plays her cards right, she can REACH LEGENDARY STATUS. So why NOT support someone like that vs. someone that’s there just because and WON’T be here in the NEXT five years(I won’t name any names but CASSIE, ASHANTI and RHIYANNA) LOL. I’m not sure if i’ve heard ANYONE her age in that business that can SAAANG the way she can. So I wish the BEST for her, OSCAR or NO OSCAR.
…And LMAO to whoever tried to compare a GRAMMY to an OSCAR. People in the MUSIC biz can get HELLA different tries at winning a GRAMMY (sometimes 5 to 8 times in a NIGHT), but the MAJORITY of the ACTORS only get ONE try at it. And for SOME, that TRY may NEVER come (there are GREAT actors that have NOT even received on yet). PLEASE keep it REAL. OSCAR is so BIG time it’s not even funny. FOLKS are sometimes just SO OFF! LOL!…Are GRAMMYS even CREDIBLE anymore? LMAO! I’m just playin (not really).
JENNIFER LOOKS BEAUTIFUL
Beauty
Loving the wig.
I always thought she was very attractive and pretty, and these pics solidify my opinion. I am so happy for her. While she will probably not get the cover of Vogue, it will be nice to see her in the magazine. VOGUE should really give her the cover though because that magazine is being all too predictable and a little stale in the contemporary. There are so many fashion authorities as of late. Placing a Black full-figured beautiful woman on the cover is just the thing to keep that magazine relevant and ahead of course. Do you hear me Ms. Wintour?
I forgot– I do not care for denim unless it is for jeans (certainly not dresses and jackets). However, I will give her a pass because and the benefit of the doubt by arguing that she was intentionally doing a historical throwback- a 1991 throwback, but a throwback nonetheless.
wow….now thats soooooo hot, has she lost some weight? she looks gud either way…. the hair style is aiight…u go gal!
@ 78
they are powerhouse singers…….beyonce’s got them beat at versatility(she’s got a powerful voice,she can sing smooth,loud and agressive,with range,control and power). fantasia has more of a churchy voice though she can be smooth and loud too,but she screams alot, but she’s got more control vocally than jhud.now jhud always sings loud,almost screaming out her songs,which comes off as oversinging and no vocal control.neva the less, they r all powerhouse singers
Congrat go Jhuds but she has noway pass “Fantasia,
hope she get the oscar, but u no what they will build u up and tear u down, Fantasia has nothing but good things to say about Jennifer when ever she asked about
not getting the role. Not to this day have I heard
Jennifer say anything good about Fantasia in the public. Not one time have she thank Randy Jackson for
picking her for the wild card for AI3. We most likely
would have never heard of her. I glad that Fantasia is
staying humble and true to herself and God did bless her with a voice that will make her a legend in making. You an’t seen nothing yet. And to add to that Fantasia has nothing but love for Jhuds. Everyone know that Jennifer had a bad side at one time.
Congrat go Jhuds but she has noway pass “Fantasia,
hope she get the oscar, but u no what they will build u up and tear u down, Fantasia has nothing but good things to say about Jennifer when ever she asked about
not getting the role. Not to this day have I heard
Jennifer say anything good about Fantasia in the public. Not one time have she thank Randy Jackson for
picking her for the wild card for AI3. We most likely
would have never heard of her. I glad that Fantasia is
staying humble and true to herself and God did bless her with a voice that will make her a legend in making. You an’t seen nothing yet. And to add to that Fantasia has nothing but love for Jhuds. Everyone know that Jennifer had a bad side at one time. Oh she
do look good
Jennifer Hudson is good and all but I think Fantasia is in a league of her own did u see her on Aretha’s Tribute people were on their feet. When i first heard Fantasia on IDOL I knew the competition was over. Fantasia is the best and I wish I could have seen her play Effie but she was busy doing her life story. But congrats to both of the girls. They are both talented sisters doing the damn thing.
TIANNA what do you mean she CAN be hot? She’s always hot……. anyways omg omg omg she’s soooooo freakin’ beautiful in these pics…..love em’.
Jennifer looks nice and doing her thing go girl!
She’s so beautiful…
she looks lke shes lost alot of weight and she really is workin it go head j-hud!!!much luv here~
Oh please jennifer hudson sing wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than fantasia,not saying fanny cant sing but come on be real amI the only one who heard jennifer sing “AND IM TELLING U” by:jennifer holiday,she sang the song better than the orignal singer.Jennifer got a standing ovation in the movie theater.Its not like it was a board way show and we claped and cryed for her,people actually stood up and clapped for that girl in the movie theater………..A MOVIE THEATER!
Fantasia anit and I repeat ANIT GOT SHIT ON JENNIFER AND I MEAN SHIT.
#93 bITCH U STUPID FANTASIA CAN SING RINGS AROUND jENNIFER
@HALCYONC……Gawd your such a dumbass! Sorry but you are. What “Fantasia” got to do with this post? I’m sorry….but this is all about Jennifer Hudson. Who gives a damn about what Fantasia won in this Jennifer Hudson forum. J.Hud nominated for an Oscar…and that is HUGE..inmenso baby. I mean lawd people always gotta compare others to someone else and what they got and what they don’t have and what they need and don’t need. smh
WTF ya’ll are ridiculous…Fantasia got Jennifer when it comes to VOCALS????????? are toy fuckin serious???????????? I will like to hear Fantasia sings “And I’m Telling You” because it takes for someone to have a very powerful to sing that…..Jennifer Hudson got it on lock..and for thesae two knockleheads who doesn’t know the difference between “sing” and “sang” then damn….When Fantasia sings..it sounds like she is in a chirch chior hollering and screaming…Jen…whateva nuff said that girl can blow..she will Fan off the stage and up the roof. Nuff said
FANTASIA’S VOICE IS SICK SHE IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN J HUD. WHY DO YOU THINK SHE WON AMERICAN IDOL. YEAH JENNIFER IS NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR BUT FANTASIA WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE TITLE OF AMERICAN IDOL. SHE IS GREAT, LET FANTASIA SING AN I AM TELLING YOU SHE WILL HAVE YALL ASSES SHOUTING. IF SHE WOULD HAVE SANG THAT SONG SHE WOULD HAVE MURDERED THAT SHIT. NO ONE ELSE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SING THAT SONG.
FANTASIA BARRINO CAN SANG OR SING HER ASS OFF!!!!
I am very happy for this girl. Glad that the size 0 is being challenged.
To the person that posted the article though…
Dude, “partaked” is not a word.
Good for her, i cant wait for JT’s performance, he’s tha shit.
Gorgeous.
I’ve read a lot of different opinions about Beyonce and Jennifer, I noticed that a lot of people talk about Beyonce’s jealously about Jennifer’s sudden fame, I don’t want to say the same thing, but this what I think and observered regarding their oscar performance, Jennifer Hudson is wonderful singer, you can feel the power when she sings, but she reminds me of the old school singers like Aretha Franklin, which we haven’t seen in a long time. Aretha didn’t really have the best stage presence either.
She is very humble and down to earth, and grateful, people find that refreshing, but, she is not a performer or entertainer like beyonce. Beyonce is a entertainer, her stage persence is on point, her singing ability is powerful as well, she reminds me of a R&B version of Tina Turner.
Now here are two singers, two totally different styles, they are both needed in music today. It doesn’t make any sense for people to hate on Beyonce or Jennifer and put their styles against each other, I think Beyonce let Jennifer have the spotlight at the Oscars, I don’t think she tried to out sing Jennifer Hudson, but I noticed Jennifer did a little too much with the ad-libs.
I think they both have strengths and weaknesses, what people find interesting about Jennifer is her humbleness which they don’t pick on from Beyonce, and she probably is a humble, nice person. But you can’t deny the fact that Beyonce is a music star, a entertainer, with a powerful stage presence, and a voice that is trained, with a strong technique. Jennifer Hudson not there yet. But she will be.
We really got to stop this.
I know its a lot of fun to compare, and debate and even put the singers and stars against each other. Its gossip.That’s the whole point.
But, it brings down the potential to have more black singers and stars out there, collaborating together, woking together, our black performers need to be seen and heard and working on a lot of hollywood projects and if Hollywood thinks black folks can’t get along because we are always putting each other down or fighting, they will not give us the opportunity to do these things, they rarely give our black stars the chance now!
Jennifer Hudson I think she is a racist bitch. Why dont she go back carbini green getto in chicago and over dose on herion, like her brothers. Dahm is she one ugly monkey
Hi, there!..4d54eafbfc1c8dd2634f7655e79225ac
she is so hot to me and even if the pics are old,so wat. i saw sum recent photos and shes hotter. “THICK CHICKS” like her are wassup. go j hud. love from GA. keep doing wat you doing shawty. you have an oscar and a grammy in you. keep it moving baby,its coming.