Jennifer Hudson Welcomes Talk Show Debut: 'I'm Ready To Talk'

Multi-hyphenated artist Jennifer Hudson is adding a new job description to her lengthy resume-talk show host.

It seems like 2022 is a big year for Hudson, as she just received her EGOT status a few months ago, and now she just achieved one of her life-long goals of hosting her own show, "The Jennifer Hudson Show."

For the pilot episode of her talk show, Hudson invited former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, who offered the singer some insight into her stint at "American Idol."

Hudson finished seventh in 2007, after performing "Weekend in New England" by Barry Manilow, released in 1976. Cowell blamed the song choice for Hudson's elimination, saying, "That night, I will never forget. [...] "I remember thinking, 'This is not a great song.' Wasn't your fault. And then, of course, what happened, happened."

The 41-year-old singer, however, noted that she did not have any regrets about the song choice, as it was reportedly what helped her land her role as Effie White in Dreamgirls (2006), the same role she won an Oscar Award for.

"It was a few songs in the beginning that I'm like, 'I don't feel like that represents my artistry," she continued.

"By the time I was eliminated, I felt like I got an opportunity to display who I was as an artist, so I was okay with being eliminated."

Other guests included in the pilot episode were Viola Davis and Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

Behind-The-Scenes Struggles?

Hudson revealed some interesting things about her preparation for "The Jennifer Hudson Show," given that this is her very first talk show.

In an interview with USA Today, Hudson explained that she struggled with the cue cards in the beginning, "Cue cards are a little unnatural to me. And when we did practice shows, I like to look people in the face and talk to them."

She also shared that she had been directed to face the camera and to "shut up:" "[...] And then I get the note, 'You talk too much; shut up.' But I want to connect with every single person. They're like, 'She's still going!'"

New Beginnings

The "Spotlight" singer was very excited to start "The Jennifer Hudson Show," as it was a new direction she was heading into after acting and singing for about 20 years.

"At this point, I simply want to be me, the person. And I want to get to know everybody's person and their stories. I'm ready to talk," she said.

Hudson followed the steps of fellow "American Idol" alum, Kelly Clarkson, into the talk show world. Clarkson premiered "The Kelly Clarkson Show" in 2019.

Hudson shared that there is no competition between the two, but in fact, just love and support.

"[Kelly Clarkson] reached out to me to ask if I needed any help or advice. It feels good because she knows the ropes," she said.

The set wherein "The Jennifer Hudson Show" is being filmed used to be the set of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which ended May 2022.

When asked about how she made the set into her own, she replied, "It's been Jennifer-ized. I want you to feel a sense of my person when you come into it."