Jennifer Hudson Shares Original ‘American Idol’ Audition on Its 20th Anniversary
Jennifer Hudson is giving everyone their daily dose of nostalgia, commemorating the 20-year anniversary of her original American Idol audition with footage from the day on social media.
Hudson, now 41, took to Instagram on Sunday, Aug. 19, with a clip of her audition from the reality singing competition's third season as it first aired, harking on where she was on this day two decades ago.
"It was on this very day in 2003 that my best friend @wallybean1 and I traveled all the way to Atlanta, Georgia for my American Idol audition ! 20 years, yal! Look at God !!"
Hudson's statement continued, "I hopped on that American Idol roller coaster and it has been going ever since ! I’ve lived a lot of life since that day, but I’m still that same girl from the South Side of Chicago trying to get to my goals !"
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"Thank u all for being on this journey with me !" she sweetly concluded.
The throwback clip begins with a then 20-something Hudson introducing herself to audiences and the original American Idol judges–Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell–as an aspiring singer who just finished working on a Disney cruise ship.
Despite giving the judges something "better than a cruise ship performance" singing "Share Your Love With Me" by Aretha Franklin during her audition, Hudson didn't go home a winner that season, and instead took home seventh place as another contestant, Fantasia Barrino, claimed first.
In the years since her big TV debut, Hudson's career took off to include four studio albums as well as credits in over a dozen movies–including the blockbuster films Dreamgirls and Respect–roles on Broadway, an EGOT (an Emmy, two Grammy awards, an Oscar, and a Tony), along with a Golden Globe, among numerous other prestigious creative accolades.
Outside of her professional life, Hudson is a mom to her son David whom she welcomed in 2009.
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