Jennifer Hudson Weight Gain: Jennifer Hudson is an American singer and actress, renowned for her achievements in music, film, television, and theater. She holds the distinction of being the youngest woman and the second African-American to win all four major American entertainment awards: the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
Hudson first gained prominence in 2004 as a contestant on the third season of the reality series “American Idol,” where she finished in seventh place. Her breakthrough came with her role as Effie White in the musical film “Dreamgirls” which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In her personal life, Hudson dated James Payton from 1999 until their separation in late 2007. She then became engaged to David Otunga, a professional wrestler and Harvard Law graduate, in September 2008. Their son, David Daniel Otunga Jr., was born in August 2009. However, the couple split in November 2017.
Recently, there has been discussion about Hudson’s weight gain and whether it’s related to preparing for a specific role or for other reasons. Let’s explore further to understand.
Jennifer Hudson Weight Gain: Is She Open to Gaining Weight for Movie Roles?
Jennifer Hudson, famous for her weight loss journey since her “American Idol” days, stated at a book signing in Atlanta that she would gladly gain weight for the right role.
“I would gain weight in a heartbeat. I have no issues with that at all.”
Director Lee Daniels approached her after she won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her role in “Dreamgirls,” asking her to consider playing Precious.
Hudson, who previously gained 20 pounds for her role as Effie in “Dreamgirls” by indulging in fried food and sweets, was surprisingly willing to do it again for “Precious.” However, she ultimately declined the role because she found the film’s content “too graphic.”
In her book, “I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down,” Hudson disclosed that she declined the lead role in the Oscar-nominated film “Precious.”
Even though she found the character intriguing—a portrayal of an abused and overweight single teen mom—she declined the role because she didn’t want to undergo the significant weight gain required. However, she expressed that she wouldn’t hesitate to gain weight for a Hollywood role if the right opportunity arose.
According to Today‘s report, She said,
“When I do films, it has to be led by something through me — like my passion for it. I just don’t want to hop into anything. So if I commit myself to something, than it’ll be worth it no matter what character it is.”
Although Hudson was open to gaining weight for a role, she didn’t want to add around 100 pounds to her frame, like she did for “Dreamgirls.”
According to Daily Mail, she said,
“I had [gained weight] with Effie [in Dreamgirls]. And as much as I was moved by this film, I wanted to try a role that had nothing whatsoever to do with my weight.”
The role of Precious went to Gabourey Sidibe, who received an Oscar nomination for her performance. Hudson, instead, starred in the first “Sex and the City” movie alongside Sarah Jessica Parker.
Since her time on “American Idol,” where she rose to fame in the third season, Hudson has lost an impressive 80 pounds, partly thanks to Weight Watchers. She even established the Jennifer Hudson Weight Watchers Center in Chicago.
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Summary
There has been speculation about Hudson’s weight gain, prompting questions about its cause. Hudson herself has expressed her willingness to gain weight for the right role, emphasizing her commitment to roles driven by passion.
Despite this, she turned down the lead role in the Oscar-nominated film “Precious” because she didn’t want to undergo significant weight gain again, despite finding the character intriguing.
Hudson’s decision stemmed from her desire to explore roles beyond those focused on weight. Although she had previously gained weight for her role in “Dreamgirls,” she felt it was time to try something different. Consequently, Gabourey Sidibe took on the role and earned an Oscar nomination.
Since her days on “American Idol,” Hudson has undergone a remarkable weight loss journey, shedding 80 pounds with the help of Weight Watchers. She even established the Jennifer Hudson Weight Watchers Center in Chicago.
Despite her physical transformation, Hudson remains committed to pursuing roles that resonate with her on a deeper level, showcasing her talent and versatility in the entertainment industry.
Naomi Williams writes for Celeb Transformations, a popular Celebrity and Entertainment website. She loves exploring how celebrities change their looks, whether it’s shedding pounds, gaining them, or opting for plastic surgery, always making sure her articles are based on solid facts. With three years on the beat, Naomi’s pieces are a go-to for anyone curious about Hollywood transformations.
Outside of work, Naomi enjoys hiking and photography, hobbies that fuel her passion for storytelling. Her knack for capturing moments and her attention to detail shine through in every article, making her a trusted voice at Celeb Transformations when it comes to celebrity makeovers.
