Hudson focused on own show in competitive daytime TV field
Jennifer Hudson did not get close to the winner’s circle when she competed on “American Idol” in 2004. But her scorching performance as singer
Effie White in the film version of “Dreamgirls” set her on a path that has come with plenty of victory laps.
After drawing critical raves for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in “Respect,” Hudson scored a 2021 Daytime Emmy Award as an executive producer of the interactive media project “Baba Yaga.” And in June, she collected a Tony Award as a producer of best musical “A Strange Loop.”
Those wins established Hudson as an EGOT — an artist who has won an Emmy, Oscar, Grammy and Tony. She is the youngest woman to join the elite club, and only the second Black woman. (The first is Whoopi Goldberg.)
On Sept. 12, Hudson will turn 41. Which raises the question: What do you get an EGOT for her birthday?
In Hudson’s case, a daytime talk show.
Hudson will spend her birthday hosting the premiere of “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” which will air in 96% of the country. Producers include Warner Bros. Unscripted Television and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, the forces behind Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show, which concluded its run in May after nearly 20 years.
“This is going to be such a gift,” Hudson said recently. “If I were not working on my birthday, that is what I would be wishing for — performing on a stage or a platform. I love bringing people together on one accord and positivity. And to do it nationally on a talk show?
On my birthday? Oh, my God, that’s a birthday wish coming true.”
Hudson acknowledged that becoming a talk show host might seem an unlikely avenue for a performer with such diverse talents. But she said the venture makes sense to her based on her life experience, as well as her connection to people.
In addition to her gallery of triumphs, she has persevered through immense tragedy. In 2008, her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were murdered by her former brother-in-law.
Specifics about the talk show, which will tape in the same studio as “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and have a live audience, are still being worked out, but Hudson promises to stand out in a notoriously challenging landscape.
“There will obviously be music, and there will be entertainment,” Hudson said. “There will be everyday people, and there will be celebrities. I want to make it an experience for everyone. It’s like when
I’m performing. I don’t just want to sing you a song. I want you to be a part of it. This is your event. I want you to celebrate it. I want it to be our journey together.”
Hudson is tossing her
hat into an unforgiving ring with the launch of the daytime talk show, one that has defeated the likes of Queen Latifah, Martin Short, Harry Connick Jr., Kris Jenner, Nick Cannon, Wayne Brady and Katie Couric.
The scrutiny is likely to be heightened this fall, thanks to tremendous upheaval in recent seasons and one of the most competitive fields in memory. DeGeneres’ exit followed reports of a toxic behind-the-scenes culture and sexual misconduct and harassment by top producers, and accounts of less-than-gracious behavior by DeGeneres herself. Wendy Williams departed her popular syndicated talk show after a multitude of health and legal difficulties. Hudson’s fellow “American Idol” alum Kelly Clarkson has carried on her top-rated show while grappling with a very public divorce. And in addition to returns by Clarkson, Tamron Hall and Drew Barrymore, Sherri Shepherd will debut “Sherri” on the same day as Hudson.
For her part, Hudson doesn’t seem concerned. She’s staying upbeat — and laser-focused on her own show. “I love a challenge,” she said with a wide smile.