Jennifer Hudson Reflects on Oscar Win 18 Years Later

LOS ANGELES, March 1, 2025 — As the Oscar ceremony approaches, Jennifer Hudson recalls her unforgettable night at the 79th Academy Awards in 2007, where she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Dreamgirls. She made her film debut as Effie White in the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical, a moment she describes as surreal.

“It sounds so harsh, but I wasn’t too familiar with the Oscars because my dream was to be a singer and win Grammys,” Hudson reflected. Despite her lack of knowledge about the prestigious awards, she embraced the experience. “I remember saying, ‘The craziest thing is she has no clue to what is going on,’” she recalled, referring to her initial naivety during the event.

Hudson, who participated in American Idol in 2004, admitted she had limited familiarity with the movie Dreamgirls as well. “People would say, ‘Jennifer Hudson for Effie White.’ And I’m like, ‘Who is Effie White?’” she said. Her brief experience with the character, however, changed her career trajectory forever.

At the Academy Awards, Dreamgirls was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture. Hudson’s fellow nominees included Adriana Barraza for Babel and Rinko Kikuchi for Babel as well as co-stars from Notes on a Scandal and Little Miss Sunshine. Hudson ultimately triumphed, marking a significant turning point in her career.

Since her Oscar win, Hudson has achieved remarkable success, including two Grammys for Best R&B Album in 2009 and Best Musical Theater Album for The Color Purple in 2017. Additionally, she won a Daytime Emmy in 2021 for the animated short Baba Yaga and a Tony Award in 2022 for her role as a producer in A Strange Loop.

As the 2025 Oscars approach, Hudson remains a central figure in the industry. This year, the Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood on March 2, beginning at 7 p.m. ET, broadcast live on ABC and Hulu.