Joanne Mattern - Jennifer Hudson

Copyright 2013 by Mitchell Lane Publishers. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Printed and bound in the United States of America.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Mattern, Joanne, 1963

Jennifer Hudson / by Joanne Mattern.

p. cm. (Blue banner biographies)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-61228-315-9 (library bound)

1. Hudson, Jennifer, 1981 Juvenile literature. 2. Singers United States BiographyJuvenile literature. 3. Motion picture actors and actresses United States BiographyJuvenile literature. I. Title.

ML3930.H82M37 2013

782.42164092dc23

[B]

2012018303

eBook ISBN: 9781545751152

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joanne Mattern is the author of more than 200 nonfiction books for young readers. Her books for Mitchell Lane include biographies of such notables as Michelle Obama, Benny Goodman, Blake Lively, Selena, LeBron James, and Peyton Manning. Mattern grew up listening to big band, jazz, and popular music. She also studied piano and voice for many years. Mattern lives in New York State with her husband, four children, and an assortment of pets.

PUBLISHERS NOTE: The following story has been thoroughly researched, and to the best of our knowledge represents a true story. While every possible effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher will not assume liability for damages caused by inaccuracies in the data and makes no warranty on the accuracy of the information contained herein. This story has not been authorized or endorsed by Jennifer Hudson.

PLB

Chapter 1
From Dream to Disappointment

Chapter 2
Little Girl, Big Voice

Chapter 3
Music and Movies

Chapter 4
Tragedy and Triumph

Chapter 5
Moving On

When Jennifer Hudson competed on Season 3 of American Idol, her voice captivated audiences. However, she was far from the sleek and sophisticated star she is today.

From Dream to Disappointment

J ennifer Hudson had the chance of a lifetime. Just a few months earlier, she had been selected to appear on the reality television show American Idol. On the show, singers perform before a panel of three judges, who offer praise and criticism of the singers performance. Then the television audience votes for the performers they like best. The performer with the lowest number of votes is sent home. Finally, the winner is given a recording contract and the chance to be a huge star. Thousands of singers audition every year to become the next Idol.

Jennifer had dreamed of being a performer ever since she was a child. Being on American Idol was a dream come true. Her big voice and colorful personality had won her fans from all over the world. The judges and the famous musicians who mentored the contestants liked Jennifer too. It seemed like nothing could stand between Jennifer and the title of American Idol.

On April 20, 2004, Jennifer performed Weekend in New England, a popular Barry Manilow song. Manilow loved her performance, and so did the judges. Judge Randy Jackson told Jennifer, That was unbelievable you just get better and better every week. It seemed like Jennifer would sail into the next round of the competition.

Jennifer Hudson had once been rejected as a backup singer for Barry Manilow. However, she made a better impression on the recording star when she performed Manilows classic song, Weekend in New England, on American Idol.

Then the unthinkable happened. Host Ryan Seacrest announced the bottom three. Those were the three performers who had received the lowest number of votes. One of the bottom three was Jennifer Hudson. Seacrest gave Jennifer and her fans the bad newsshe had received the lowest number of votes. It was time for Jennifer to leave American Idol.

Jennifer looked stunned and sad as she received the news. The other contestants were shocked. Some even began to cry. Jennifer, however, behaved like a true professional. She sang one last time. Then she left the American Idol stage.

Fantasia Barrino, LaToya London, and Jennifer Hudson wait anxiously for host Ryan Seacrest to announce the results on the April 21, 2004, American Idol show.

Many people were very upset when Jennifer was voted off American Idol. Jennifer, however, was not one of them. She later wrote in her autobiography, I didnt care if I won or not. As far as I was concerned, my dream had already come true when I was allowed to sing for millions of Americans... It was time for me to take another step.

Losing American Idol might have ended Jennifers dreams forever. However, this young lady from Chicago was a survivor. She would go on to bigger and better things after her disappointment on