Jennifer Hudson kicks off her new talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, on Monday (Sept 12). Check out her opening monologue below.
Unsurprisingly, the American Idol alum and former The Voice coach becomes emotional talking about how her dreams are becoming reality.
“I didn’t know I was going to…cry.”
“It’s an emotional time and day for me because this is my first show,” she said. “Just know, that when you see me, you’re going to see my heart. And I hope you feel my heart. And that’s why I’m emotional right now.” At this point the tissues come out. “I didn’t know I was going to…cry. It means everything that you all are here because you’ve been a part of my journey my entire career and I feel like this is a brand new chapter that we’re all starting together.”
Jennifer’s career began on American Idol season 3 in 2004, where her outsized voice and personality attracted a fan base. But unfortunately, she was shockingly eliminated in 7th place. But within a few years, she nabbed the coveted role of Effie White in the film adaption of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. She went on to win an Oscar for the role. After that, she earned two Grammy awards, and an Emmy and a Tony as a producer. Eighteen years after Idol, she’s the 17th EGOT winner–a member of a rare club. Recently, she played Aretha Franklin in Queen of Soul’s official biopic.
Jennifer celebrates her 41st birthday
“There are the things that I’ve dreamt about my whole life and I want you to know that you are a part of that dream and we’re living it right now.” Jennifer told her audience, adding, “It’s just so ironic to me that this so happens to be my 41st birthday.” And with that announcement, the audience broke out in a Happy Birthday song.
Jennifer’s first guest will be, fittingly, Simon Cowell, the American Idol judge who didn’t believe in her on the show. He has since been proven wrong, and admitted it! Check out your local listing to find the time and channel of The Jennifer Hudson Show in your city. Mickey Guyton, Magic Johnson and Viola Davis will also be guests during her first week.
Jennifer will sing on the show, but only spontaneously
“I was on an ‘American Idol’ journey,” Jennifer shared in an Associated Press interview. “And it took people to help me reach those goals and those dreams. Now I want to be that vehicle for someone else. Having the talk show allows me a platform to share with someone else.”
Will Jennifer sing on the show? “I don’t want anything that’s just like planned and I hold the mic up under my chin, and here’s a song today,” Jennifer told the AP. “It just has to hit my spirit, or maybe something triggers a song. Or I may just want to sing to you and lift your spirits. Or if you want to dance, I’m ready for that too. Whatever makes you happy.”
Jennifer travels with her Major Awards
In an Entertainment Weekly interview, Jennifer shared details about her set, and revealed that she has replicas of all her major awards, so that they are with her wherever she goes. “So what I want to do, because all of this is a part of me,” Jennifer said, “I want to have an EGOT in Chicago, and EGOT here [in Los Angeles] at the house, and an EGOT here at the show.”
Kelly Clarkson offered advice
Fellow afternoon talk show host, The Voice coach and American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson has offered her support, “Kelly reached out and was like, ‘If you need any advice, I’m here’,” Jennifer told EW. “We performed together recently and I think we did more talking than singing. She’s a great example.”
Jennifer told Gayle King in a CBS Mornings interview, that she’s still processing her EGOT status. “It came as a surprise,” Jennifer said. “I did not fully see it coming. I went there to celebrate the cast for getting 11 nominations, and I don’t feel like I’ve been present. And then when they said, ‘Strange Loop, best musical,’ I was cheering for them. And once we get on the stage, everybody started chanting, ‘EGOT, EGOT,’ and I was like, ‘Wait what?'”
Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) is the youngest woman ever to achieve EGOT status — but she’s not stopping there.
Hudson is getting another title — talk show host: “It’s time for people to hear my voice, from my experiences.” pic.twitter.com/W5wZh1RnFY
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) September 9, 2022
“I want them to feel like they have a place to come to celebrate, to escape, to have fun, for comfort, for peace, whatever you need is right here on The Jennifer Hudson Show, right here on this couch,” Jennifer told Variety about her talk show goals. “Girl, even if you need something to eat, I got you!”
