We definitely want to "Push Da Button" to see and hear what singer/actress Jennifer Hudson has been up to lately! The "If This Isn't Love" singer recently joined the The Color Purple Broadway revival as the sultry Shug Avery (originally played by Margaret Avery in the movie version) and she showed off those powerful pipes last night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with a toe-tapping rendition of Shug's memorable hit.
Hudson is no stranger to being a musical actress — who could ever forget her portrayal of Effie in 2006's Dreamgirls — but this is her first time stepping on the Broadway stage. "I was like, 'If they ever brought Dreamgirls back to Broadway, that would be great to do.' Obviously that would be the first thing in my mind," she told Playbill. "But I never would've imagined that The Color Purple would be my first. But I think that's it's a great, great introduction and a great start to be able to do such an American classic as my entrée to Broadway."
It doesn't hurt that Hudson is a true fan of the musical; so much in fact, that she saw the show four times during its Chicago and Broadway runs. On previous runs, the show featured fellow American Idol alum Fantasia Barrino and Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams in the roles of Celie and Shug, respectively. "I loved it. I was a fan of the show," Hudson said. "It's interesting to be in it and part of it now, because when I was going to see it as a fan, I had never thought of myself in the role of any of the characters. If anything, I would've assumed, 'Maybe Celie or Sofia,' but Shug came as more of a surprise to me."
Whatever surprise there was, Hudson quickly got over it, as is evidenced in her performance on the CBS show Monday evening. Watch her captivating performance below. Go ahead..."Push Da Button."
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