Jennifer Hudson, Singer and Actress
Women and Adversity: Jennifer Hudson, Singer and Actress
Jennifer Hudson, the 34-year-old Chicago-born actress and singer, is an inspiration not only to aspiring singers and actresses but also to women beset with monumental problems. She was on “American Idol” in 2004 but was eliminated even though she had acquired a huge fan base. In 2005 she was cast as Effie White in “Dreamgirls” and won a Golden Globe and an Oscar for best-supporting actress.
Her personal life, however, has included situations most women never face. In 2008 on the heels of her Grammy-winning, self-titled album, her mother, brother and nephew were killed. Her former brother-in-law was later convicted and is serving life in prison.
Because of this tragedy, Hudson established the Julian D. King Gift Foundation in memory of her nephew, who was seven when he died. She received the Favorite Humanitarian award in the 2014 People’s Choice Awards presentations.
Hudson didn’t always have her svelte figure. She was overweight in “Dreamgirls” but since then has been a spokesperson for Weight Watchers and in 2012 wrote a book on how she lost the weight.
To be faced with the highest highs and the lowest lows at her age and to persist in achieving is an accomplishment all women can admire. In their own lives they can be inspired to overcome the misfortunes that come their way.
www.biography.com/people/jennifer-hudson-507747
www.people.com/article/jennifer-hudson-family-murders-broadway-glamour-interview
