Jennifer Hudson

Singer Jennifer Hudson's big screen debut in the 2006 film Dreamgirls made her a star and earned her the year's Academy Award as best supporting actress. Hudson grew up in Chicago and got her start singing gospel songs in a Baptist church. Shortly after making her professional debut in regional theater, she signed with Disney Wonder tours and spent 2002 performing on cruise ships. Rather than extend her contract, she auditioned for the televised talent show American Idol in 2003, and was selected to compete in the show's third season (2004). Her soulful singing and multi-octave range brought early success and a devoted fan base, but Hudson was eliminated after making it to the top seven. Her fans (including rock legend Elton John) cried foul, but Hudson bounced back by winning the role of Effie in the film version of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. A newcomer in a cast that included Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx and Beyoncé Knowles", Hudson stole the show with her emotional rendition of the song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

Extra credit: Hudson's mother Donnell Darnerson and brother Jason Hudson were shot to death in Darnerson's Chicago home on 24 October 2008... Hudson beat out Fantasia Barrino, the winner of American Idol's third season, for the part in Dream Girls.