Jennifer Hudson

Singer Jennifer Hudson attends Self Magazine's 2011 Women Doing Good Awards at The IAC Building on September 13, 2011, in New York.

Long before the world discovered Jennifer Hudson's talent as an actress in "Dreamgirls," she was a finalist on "American Idol." Here, Hudson arrives at Fox's celebration of "American Idol's" Top 12 finalists at Pearl in West Hollywood, Calif., on March 10, 2004.

After a disappointing sixth-place finish on "American Idol," Jennifer Hudson is seen here performing onstage during the Actors Fund of America gala at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York on Oct. 30, 2004. Before her huge success with "Dreamgirls" in 2006, Hudson made the rounds in community theater and cruise ship shows.

Perhaps anticipating her success later in the year, Jennifer Hudson accepts the Female Star of Tomorrow award at the Paris Las Vegas during ShoWest, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on March 16, 2006.

Jennifer Hudson was born on Sept. 12, 1981, and grew up singing in gospel choirs in Chicago. She is photographed here in New York on Dec. 5, 2006.

Jennifer Hudson is seen at the premiere of "Dreamgirls" on Dec. 4, 2006, at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York. Her role in the film, as Effie Melody White, the shunned member of a 1960s pop group, is a barely disguised account of the life of the late Florence Ballard, an original member of the Supremes.

Pictured here is a scene from the eight-time Oscar-nominated film "Dreamgirls," with Eddie Murphy as James "Thunder" Early and, left to right, Jennifer Hudson as Effie White, Beyonce Knowles as Deena Jones and Anika Noni Rose as Lorrell Robinson. Hudson beat out 782 other actresses for the role, including Fantasia Barrino, the singer who beat her to win the third season of "American Idol."

beyonce knowles, jennifer hudson, anika noni rose, dreamgirls — AP Photo/Paramount Pictures

In another scene from "Dreamgirls," Hudson appears with Beyonce Knowles, center, and Anika Noni Rose, left. Hudson was told she needed to gain weight for the role of Effie, who was bypassed for lead vocals for the star appeal of Knowles' character, Deena.

Hudson's success in "Dreamgirls" has catapulted her to a new level of stardom. Here, she attends the 72nd Annual New York Film Critics Circle Awards gala at the Supper Club on Jan. 7, 2007. She won an award that night, and has been honored by the National Board of Review, the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes. She also won the Oscar in the category of best supporting actress.

Jennifer Hudson arrives at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York for a taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Jan. 8, 2007. The story of her transformation from reality show reject to Oscar-winning starlet has captured the public's attention and added to her growing fame.

Jennifer Hudson performs at Grey Goose Vodka's unveiling of the new customized Rolls-Royce Phantom at a private residence in Beverly Hills on Jan. 11, 2007. Her singing talent may not have been enough to win on "American Idol, but her rendition of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," the show-stopping tune from "Dreamgirls," has earned her plenty of recognition.

Jennifer Hudson accepts the Golden Globe for Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role In A Motion Picture for "Dreamgirls" at the Beverly Hilton on Jan. 15, 2007.

Jennifer Hudson is photographed backstage at the 59th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 3, 2007. Bill Condon, the director of "Dreamgirls," received his first nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Films, but lost to Martin Scorsese, who directed "The Departed."

Actress Jennifer Hudson accepts the Oscar for best supporting actress for her work in "Dreamgirls" at the 79th Academy Awards Feb. 25, 2007, in Los Angeles.

Singer Jennifer Hudson performs on BET's "106 & Park" show, celebrating their 2000th episode on Aug. 19, 2008, in New York.

Actor and singer Jennifer Hudson waves while rehearsing the national anthem for the final night of the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field in Denver, Aug. 28, 2008. A few weeks later, on Sept. 12, 2008, Hudson became engaged to her boyfriend, David Otunga. The couple had been dating for less than a year. Otunga is best known for being a contestant on the reality show "I Love New York 2."

Singer Jennifer Hudson performs the National Anthem at the start of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. It was her first performance since the October slayings in Chicago of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. Her estranged brother-in-law has been charged in the killings.

Jennifer Hudson accepts the award for best R&B album for "Jennifer Hudson" at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles.

Singer Jennifer Hudson performs on opening night of her first solo tour at the Palace Theatre in Albany, N.Y., March 31, 2009.

Jennifer Hudson arrives at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 13, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Singer Jennifer Hudson speaks onstage at the 2011 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 20, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Jennifer Hudson performs Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" during the In Memoriam portion of the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12, 2012, in Los Angeles.

Jennifer Hudson accepts the award for outstanding album for "I Remember Me" at the 43rd NAACP Image Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium on Feb. 17, 2012, in Los Angeles.