Jenniefer Hudson is heading back to American Idol.
More than two decades after her appearance on the show’s third season, Hudson spoke about being a guest judge for the April 20 episode.
“To be on the other side of everything is insane, but it puts how much time has passed into perspective,” Jennifer told E! News at the taping of The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy. “I’m like, ‘Wow. Idol was 22 years ago. Dreamgirls was 20 years ago.”
Hudson is also on the production team for the upcoming Broadway revival of Dreamgirls.
“OK, yes,” Hudson explained. “I can return as a judge or mentor on Idol and then be on the production side of Dreamgirls to see someone else get a chance.”
Hudson is doing all this while maintaining her successful, eponymous talk show. Speaking with Viola Davis for Interview Magazine back in August, Hudson told Viola Davis her show allows her to express her love for people.
“It has double meaning for me, at least for my celebrity and artistry and my person,” Hudson said. “Throughout my career, people have only gotten to know me through singing songs or playing characters. I felt like the talk show gave me space and a place to be just Jennifer, Jenny Kate from the South Side of Chicago.”
“People love to confide in me,” Jennifer continued. “I’m a listener, and I’m also inspired by hearing other people’s stories and perspectives. There are a lot of things I don’t know about, but I get to learn it through my guests, so I’m inspired by all of that.”
Although she didn’t win the third season of American Idol (Fantasia Barrino would win that season), Hudson’s appearance launched her into stardom.
HOW HUDSON BECAME AN EGOT
She went on to become an EGOT winner. After her Academy Award debut in Dreamgirls and multiple Grammys, Jennifer Hudson secured her Daytime Emmy in 2021 for Baba Yaga. She completed the EGOT in 2022, winning a Tony Award as a producer for the Best Musical, A Strange Loop.