Jennifer Hudson is an award-winning American actress and singer. She gained worldwide recognition for her roles in films such as Dreamgirls, Sex and the City, The Secret Life of Bees, and Black Nativity. Hudson rose to fame after making her film debut in 2006 with the musical drama Dreamgirls, for which she won several prestigious awards, including an Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Supporting Actress. Following the success of her first film, she appeared in Sex and the City, a romantic comedy, and later starred in the drama The Secret Life of Bees. Another significant role came in Chi-Raq, a 2015 musical drama directed and produced by Spike Lee. In addition to her film work, Hudson has made numerous appearances on television, including roles in Smash, Empire, and Confirmation, an HBO television film. As a singer, she has released three studio albums to date. Her self-titled debut album, released in 2008, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and became a commercial success. The album earned her a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 2009.
