Jennifer Hudson, whose early exit from American Idol season 3 is still considered one of the most shocking moments in the show's history, is now starring on her own talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and former judge Simon Cowell will be her first guest. American Idol season 3 premiered on January 19, 2004, and featured a 22-year-old Jennifer, affectionately called "JHud" by her fans. She auditioned in Atlanta with Aretha Franklin's "Share Your Love With Me." Simon and his fellow American Idol judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson all voted "yes," and she earned her ticket to Hollywood.
Jennifer placed seventh on American Idol, but went on to be one of the most successful artists from the show. However, at the beginning of the competition, Simon did not see Jennifer as a star. At one point, he even went so far as to tell her that she was out of her depth in the competition and did not have a chance of winning. However, Simon changed his mind later in the season when Jennifer's performances impressed him. After she won her 2007 Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Effie White in the film Dreamgirls, Simon admitted that he was wrong about her. Jennifer has since earned EGOT status, earning two Grammy Awards (one in 2009 for Best R&B Album, for her self-titled album, and the other in 2017, for Best Musical Theater Album for The Color Purple). She also won the 2021 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program Award, for Baba Yaga, which she executive produced and for which she voiced the character of the enchanted Forest. She completed her EGOT at the 2022 Tony Awards, after her win as a producer of the Broadway musical, A Strange Loop.
According to ET, Jennifer's first guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show will be Simon. This reunion of the former American Idol judge and contestant will be the first sit-down conversation between them since the show. ET reports that last month, in an interview with the Dallas station KERA-TV, Jennifer shared that Simon would be her dream guest for her talk show. She said that it would be "awesome" to reunite with him, and stated, "I think it would be so interesting. Idol was 18 years ago so why not? I think people will be interested who've followed my journey for 20 years. See us sit down and see us have a conversation. I think that would be awesome to do."
Jennifer liked the idea of the power dynamic shifting, stating, "And then it's like, uh-huh! Now Simon, you're sitting on my couch! So he's on my wish list, among many others." The Jennifer Hudson Show will premiere on September 12, which is Jennifer's 41st birthday. ET reports that the occasion will be marked with "celebratory moments and big surprises." The show regularly will feature celebrity interviews, topical stories, community heroes, viral sensations, and music.
Jennifer's interview with Simon certainly will be fun to watch, especially since she has had so much success since American Idol. Surely Simon is proud to see someone whom he helped discover become a true superstar. Jennifer's reunion with Simon will be a fantastic way to kick off The Jennifer Hudson Show.
Source: ET