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Singer and actor Jennifer Hudson and musician Sting are set to join The Voice season 26 as the Mega Mentors. They will join judges and mentors Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, and Reba McEntire in the singing competition. Season 26 of The Voice began airing on NBC on September 23, 2024, and has released 11 episodes till date.
Jennifer Hudson will be on the show due to her vast experience in the industry as she will guide contestants through that intense Knockout round. The singer and actor, with her talent and experience, is one of the most important contributors to the emerging talent this season.
Hudson has appeared in multiple movies like Secret Life of Bees, Dream Girls, and Respect over the course of her career. She is known for her songs like Spotlight, Where You At, Giving Myself and Think Like A Man, among others. According to Celebrity Net Worth Jennifer Hudson's net worth at $30 million as of June 2024, reflecting her accomplishments in music, film, and television.
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The Voice season 26 mega mentor Jennifer Hudson's net worth
Jennifer Hudson's fame skyrocketed after her time on American Idol in 2004, following which she signed with Arista Records in 2006. The singer released her self-titled debut album in 2008, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 2009.
Her lead single Spotlight was a commercial hit, ensuring her position in the music world. Her second studio album, I Remember Me, was released in March 2011, followed by her third studio album, JHUD, in 2014.
Hudson's acting career took off with her portrayal of Effie White in the 2006 film Dreamgirls, earning her an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. She continued to secure prominent roles in films like Sex and the City and The Secret Life of Bees and made her Broadway debut in The Color Purple in 2015.
In 2021, she starred as Aretha Franklin in the biopic Respect, establishing her acting credentials. A significant milestone in Hudson’s career came in June 2022 when she achieved EGOT status by winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. Her Tony Award was awarded for co-producing the play A Strange Loop, placing her alongside other notable entertainers.
Business ventures and philanthropy
Besides her career in entertainment, she also premiered The Jennifer Hudson Show in September 2023 where she interviews celebrities. She founded the Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims. Hudson also co-established the Julian D. King Gift Foundation to remember two members of her family who died in 2008.
Her real estate investments also reflect her financial success. She owns a 12,000-square-foot property in Burr Ridge, Illinois, purchased in 2011. The home features several luxuries and represents a long-term investment in her future.
Background and personal life
Jennifer Hudson was born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, and was raised in Englewood on the South Side. She is the youngest of three children and moved from Dunbar Vocational High School in 1999. She briefly attended Langston University and then moved to Kennedy-King College of Chicago.
Hudson started singing at a very young age, performing in her church choir and community theater when she was only seven years old. In 2002, she signed a recording contract with Righteous Records, which marked the beginning of her professional career. In 2004, she auditioned for American Idol, where her performances received much attention despite finishing seventh. Her time on the show made her one of the most memorable contestants in its history.
Hudson has also dated and been in relationships with some high-profile people, including James Payton. The couple was together from 1999 to 2007. She then began a relationship with David Otunga, a WWE wrestler and Harvard Law graduate.
The couple got engaged in 2008 and welcomed a son, David Daniel Otunga Jr., in August 2009. However, they split in November 2017. In 2022, Hudson began dating rapper and actor Common, her co-star in the film Breathe.
Time on The Voice
In addition to her work in music and movies, Hudson has served as a coach on both the US and UK versions of The Voice. She served as a coach on seasons six and eight of The Voice UK and seasons 13 and 15 of the American The Voice. Her experience as a former reality show contestant provides valuable insights for current participants on The Voice.
Jennifer Hudson will return to the US version of The Voice as a Mega Mentor and will assist Michael Bublé and Reba McEntire's teams. Her role as a Mega Mentor allows her to support contestants through the Knockout rounds, offering guidance drawn from her experience in the music industry.
Watch new episodes of The Voice on NBC every Monday and Tuesday at 8 pm ET. Viewers can tune in the next day on Peacock to stay up-to-date with all the latest performances.
