As The Jennifer Hudson Show celebrates its 500th show, Jennifer Hudson has revealed the origins of her “Spirit Tunnels,” which has become a pop culture phenomenon.
Speaking with PEOPLE, Hudson detailed where the outpouring of love for her guest came from.
“They used to do it for me as I would come out, and I’m like, ‘Y’all, we need to be showing this to the world. Show it!” Hudson said of her staff, who create customized walkouts for each guest.
“And it took a life of its own,” she continued.
According to Hudson, her guests have embraced the tradition because “it’s out of love.”
“It is from the heart. It’s good energy. And all we want to do is celebrate everybody when you come to the show,” Hudson explained. “If you want to dance in the spiritual dance, if, you know, it’s your moment. You know what I mean? So I wanted to create a safe space for everybody to be able to come to, and we’ve been blessed to be able to all do it together.”
Other Spirit Tunnel guests include Usher, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Shemar Moore, Benny Blanco, on roller skates, and many more.
“I think we all love what we do and [it creates] a nice, safe environment for people to be, because how we get to be our best,” Hudson said.
Keeping with the theme of the show, the EGOT winner says the Spirit Tunnels makes her feel like family.
“I’ve always considered everything a family affair. It’s nothing to be grumpy or vicious about if you’re doing what you love,” Hudson added. “And everybody is, as I say, in their superpowers. They’re doing what they love, and we have a good time doing it. And I think the Spirit Tunnel and the energy that we give is a reflection of it.”