Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia Reminisce about competing on American Idol 20 years ago
Jennifer Hudson welcomed the cast of the movie musical The Color Purple on to The Jennifer Hudson Show on Friday (Dec 15). One of the highlights was an emotional reunion between Jennifer and her fellow American Idol contestant, Fantasia Barrino Taylor, who plays the lead role, Celie in the movie.
“Do you realize it’s been 20 years since we were on American Idol,” Jennifer asked Fantasia, after giving her a big teary hug. Jennifer continued, “I said I hopped on it American Idol roller coaster and it’s been running ever since!” adding “I never would have guessed I would be sitting here,”
While Jennifer put up a photo of Jennifer, Fantasia and the other “diva” LaToya London singing on the finale, just to gush over Fantasia’s big win, Fantasia wanted to talk about the infamous night that the three singers wound up in the bottom 3.
“Do you remember the day…when they tried to put us all into the bottom 3?” Fantasia drawled, while rolling her eyes. “That day we all had the look on our face like really?” Jennifer notes, “That was when I went home during that season!” Indeed, it was a shocking night!
Moving on from less than pleasant memories, Jennifer asked Fantasia what she remembers from competing on the season. “Working hard, right?” Fantasia replied. “We worked very very hard. I also remember building great relationships and being around great gifts. So iron sharpens iron and just being around you guys making a family and being up every morning away from our families but steady going because it was something that we all wanted.”
Fantasia added, “And now look!” Jennifer agreed, “Can you believe it!”
After American Idol, both Jennifer and Fantasia went on to do great things
While Fantasia won American Idol in 2004, and Jennifer left SHOCKINGLY in 7th place, both artists went on to do great things.
Jennifer won the Oscar in 2007 for her role as Effie White in Dreamgirls, in addition to working steady as an actress. She won a Best R&B Grammy in 2009 for her eponymous album. And then in 2021 she won a Daytime Emmy award for producing interactive media, Baba Yaga. But when she won a Tony for being a producer on the Broadway musical, A Strange Loop, she become the youngest female EGOT winner ever. Now, she hosts her own daytime talk show. Also, she served as a coach on both the UK and USA versions of The Voice.
Fantasia went on to become a respected R&B artist. As an actress, she had a big breakthrough playing Celie in the Broadway musical The Color Purple. She took on the role twice, amid turmoil in her personal life. But now, Fantasia is starring in her first feature film and has already been nominated for a Golden Globe award.
And as far as The Color Purple is concerned, Jennifer played Shug in the 2015 Broadway Revival of the show, alongside Danielle Brooks, who also co-stars in the new movie adaption.
