Revenge is sweet for “American Idol” reject
By P.J. Stratton

 

Jennifer Hudson

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 02/24/07 — Jennifer Hudson snagged her long predicted Oscar for her performance in Bill Condon’s Dreamgirls and delivered a tearful speech to a captivated audience. “I have to take this moment in. I cannot believe this. Look what God can do! If my grandmother…I didn’t think I was going to win, but wow, if my grandmother was here to see me now. She was my biggest inspiration for everything, because she was a singer and she had the passion for it, but she never had the chance. And that was the thing that pushed me forward to continue.”

“But I’m so grateful to have my mother here celebrating with me. My boyfriend, my sisters and my brothers back home and I’ve got two of them here. Thank you all for being here and supporting me. I would so like to thank Bill Condon, our director. Oh my god, unbelievable cast. I’d like to thank the Academy, definitely have to thank God I guess again. I can’t believe this. Wow, I don’t know what to say, but I thank you all for helping me keep the faith. Even when I didn’t believe and God bless you all. Jennifer Holliday, too!”

 

Dreamgirls

On the red carpet prior to the ceremony, Jennifer Hudson conveyed to E Entertainment host, Ryan Seacrest, “I feel good and excited to be here. The last time I was at the Kodak Theater was for American Idol and now I’m back for the Oscars. I can’t believe I’m actually here and this is actually happening”.

Simon Cowell sent Jennifer a video message via Seacrest, “Jennifer, I just wanted to say to you from all of us actually at American Idol, we are rooting for you. And I have a feeling you’re going to win tonight. What you have done is literally extraordinary. None of us would have called it, apart from me although I think I did mention the word ‘Oscar’ when I first saw you in Chicago. I think you’re going to win and guess what? You deserve it. Love you, so long, bye bye.”

And win it she did. Co-star Beyonce Knowles looked on with admiration from the audience as Hudson regained her composure as she walked off the stage with her ‘Oscar’ in her arms. ‘Dreamgirls’ also won an Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing.

Shortly after Hudson won her award, she and Knowles performed their songs together from the feature film “Dreamgirls” which was also nominated, ‘Listen’ and ‘Love You I Do’ to mild applause from the audience in the Kodak Theater. History was made tonight and dreams come true for the talented Jennifer Hudson.