12:38
- culture
- April 21, 2026
Jennifer Hudson returns to 'American Idol'
The EGOT winner said returning to "American Idol" was a "dream come true."
\"She's done so many remarkable things, she's won every single award, she is so personable and natural at not only being a performer but being a guest judge tonight,\" Seacrest added.
While Hudson didn't win \"American Idol\" in 2004 (she placed seventh), she went on to become an Emmy-nominated talk show host, Oscar winner and more. In 2022, Hudson achieved EGOT status when she won a Tony Award for her work as a producer on the Broadway show \"A Strange Loop.\"
She earned her Emmy in 2021 for \"Baba Yaga,\" which earned the trophy for outstanding interactive media for a daytime program. The first Grammy she won was in 2009 for best R&B album for her self-titled album \"Jennifer Hudson.\"
In 2007, she won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance as Effie White in \"Dreamgirls,\" which she starred in alongside Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose and Keith Robinson.
When it comes to advice she has for the remaining contestants, longevity is top of mind for her.
@gma As an #EGOT winner, @Jennifer Hudson shares some sage advice for the remaining @AmericanIdol ♬ original sound - Good Morning America
\"That's what it's about, at least for me. Building longevity,\" she said. \"And whatever you set your mind to is what will be and I hope that the contestants that go home each week know that this is the start.\"
She added, \"Now it's up to you to make that opportunity work and it does not end. You still have your talent and you carry on and go on and continue to do whatever you dream to do.\"
Following Monday night's show, the competition whittled down to the top 7 after Kyndal Inskeep and Lucas Leon were eliminated.
The contestants that remain are McCullough, Richardson, Brooks Rosser, Chris Tungseth, Hannah Harper, Braden Rumfelt and Daniel Stallworth.
Next week, the top 7 finalists will take the stage to perform Taylor Swift songs and Nikki Glaser will be a guest judge.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News.
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