Though her early days as a singer included a stint working on Disney Cruise
Lines, Jennifer Hudson (September 12, 1981) first shot into the limelight back
in 2004 when she became a finalist on hit US TV talent show American Idol.
Though she failed to win the competition (despite being favorite), her star
continued to rise and she was soon performing alongside the likes of Cuba
Gooding Jr, Eddie Murphy, and disco diva Beyoncé in the film version of popular
Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Taking the film industry by storm thanks to both
her acting and vocal talent, Hudson picked up bo...