Jennifer Hudson took her fans down memory lane recently by sharing her American Idol audition video.
The EGOT winner posted the clip on August 19, reflecting on the life-changing moment 20 years 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, yall! Look at God !!” she captioned the video.
She 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 ! Thank u all for being on this journey with me!”
The clip features a then 21-year-old Hudson singing some of Aretha Franklin’s “Share Your Love with Me” for the show’s original judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.
Hudson gave it her all during the third season of the singing competition but would go on to place seventh, losing to Fantasia Barrino.
Although she didn’t walk away with the prize that time, the former Disney Cruise performer has racked up some major wins since then.
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In 2022, Hudson became a member of the coveted EGOT crew, joining 16 others who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
To be exact, Hudson’s accolades include an Oscar for best supporting actress in 2006’s Dreamgirls, two Grammys for Best R&B Album with 2008’s Jennifer Hudson, and best musical theater album for 2016’s The Color Purple, and a Daytime Emmy Award for 2021’s Baba Yaga.
She completed the prestigious requirement with a Tony for involvement as one of the producers of 2022’s best musical winner, A Strange Loop.
The multi-hyphenate’s resume also includes hosting her own self-titled daytime talk show. The Jennifer Hudson Show is well into its second season and is a hit with viewers.
During a recent interview with Black Enterprise, Hudson opened up about the transition from singer to talk show host.
“I wanted to do the show mainly so I could be me. The number one instruction I was given was, ‘Just be Jennifer,'” she said. “The world has seen me as an actress and a singer, but this is Jennifer, the girl, the person, the human.”
We love you, Jennifer!
