The Voice 2019 judge Jennifer Hudson – five facts about the Oscar award-winning actress and singer

JENNIFER Hudson has gone from a talent show participant on the X Factor all the way to judge and mentor on ITV’s The Voice.

We have delved into the background of the sultry singer – so here are five things you may not know about her…

1. Jennifer didn’t come anywhere CLOSE to winning American Idol

While it’s hard to imagine now, superstar Jennifer actually came in SEVENTH in the finals of American Idol – where she first found her fame in 2004.

She was actually brought in as the judge’s wild card in the semi-finals, and lasted through two stints in the bottom two before being eliminated in week six of the final heats.

Fantasia Barrino took home the crown that season, with Diana DeGarmo coming in second.

While Jennifer has since gone on to the big time, Fantasia and Diana have both been received well as stage performers rather than pop stars.

2. She’s an Oscar winner

While American Idol gave her a platform, it was 2006’s Dreamgirls that sent her skyrocketing into the mainstream.

Playing Effie White, her release of the soundtrack anthem And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going has gone on to become one of the most successful songs of her career.

At the Academy Awards and Golden Globes that year, Jennifer took home the best-supporting actress gong for her role in the film – managing to overshadow megastar co-star Beyonce in the process.

She has since gone on to portray Nelson Mandela’s wife Winnie in a biopic of her life, Carrie Bradshaw’s assistant Louise in the Sex and the City movie, mother-figure Rosaleen Daise in The Secret Life of Bees and had a small role in the Three Stooges remake.

3. She has her own specially recognised day in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley decided to give Jennifer one of the biggest marks of recognition ever in 2007- and gave her her own DAY.

He announced that March 6 would be known from then on as Jennifer Hudson Day in recognition of her hard work and her success following Dreamgirls and her music career.

4. Jennifer was the first African-American singer to ever grace Vogue Magazine

Hot on the heels of the success of Dreamgirls, Jennifer wwon the coveted front page spread for fashion bible Vogue Magazine in March 2007.

She was also only the third African-American celebrity to be given the honour.

5. She is engaged to a pro WWE wrestler that has a Harvard law degree

Jennifer has been dating David Otunga since 2008 and the pair have one child together.

David, 36, is a qualified lawyer after earning his degree at Harvard, and is also a two-time WWE tag team champion having worked with the wrestling federation from 2009 -2015.

He now acts as a commentator for the sport after officially retiring.