Jennifer Hudson has opened up about her long-awaited return to american idoldescribing the experience of joining the judging panel as a “crazy” coming full circle moment.
Appearing as a guest judge for the April 20 episode, the 44-year-old star reflected on how much she has changed since she first appeared as a contestant during the show’s third season more than two decades ago.
talking to MY! News In a tribute to Eddie Murphy, the Oscar winner admitted that being on the other side of the desk has put her incredible career path into perspective, noting with surprise that her original run on Idol was 22 years ago and dream girls followed shortly after.
The passage of time has clearly been a blessing for the EGOT winner, who now enjoys helping the next generation of talent find their place.
Beyond her guest stint on the show that made her a household name, Hudson is also part of the production team for the upcoming Broadway revival of dream girls.
She explained that she is at a stage in her life where she feels ready to move from the spotlight to being on the production side, which will allow her to see someone else get their big break.
This spirit of mentorship and connection is something Hudson has carried into her television career, specifically with The Jennifer Hudson Showwhich was recently renewed for its fifth season.
She previously shared with EGOT winner Viola Davis that the talk show was a conscious choice to show the world who she really is.
After years of audiences only knowing her through her music or film characters, she felt the show gave her a much-needed space to be herself, the “Jenny Kate of Chicago’s South Side.”
