Long before landing the coveted role of "Effie" in the upcoming film version of the legendary Broadway musical DREAMGIRLS, Jennifer Hudson sang for the very first time before a small church in her native Chicago, bringing the congregation to its feet with soul- stirring solo performances week after week. Hudson, now 25, attributes her vocal ability to her late maternal grandmother, Julia Kate Hudson, a long-time choir member.

Jennifer's talent was cultivated through dozens of talent shows and musical productions during her grammar and high school years. She landed her first professional role in a local production of BIG RIVER. In 2002, she showcased her four-octave range and charmed thousands of vacationers from all over the world as a featured vocalist on the Disney Wonder cruise ship. In 2004, she wowed millions of television viewers during season three of the wildly popular Fox series AMERICAN IDOL.

Tremendous buzz surrounds Hudson's much-anticipated DREAMGIRLS film debut as "Effie," a role she won over nearly 800 actors and singers vying for the part. DREAMGIRLS ' Oscar-winning filmmaker Bill Condon explained, "Effie is such a hugely complex role. She is at once exasperating and heartbreaking. Jennifer emerged as the person who captured both sides."

ShoWest recently named Hudson the 2006 "Female Star of Tomorrow." Variety Magazine recently selected her as one of the "10 Actors to Watch" for 2006. Movieline has also named her one of its Breakthrough Actors of 2006.