Jennifer Hudson on New American Idol Judges: “I’m happy that Mariah is there because she’s a singer” (VIDEO)

By On 02/08/2013 · 38 Comments · In American Idol, Jennifer Hudson

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This morning on Live with Kelly and Michael, Oscar winner and American Idol alum, Jennifer Hudson dished about her latest role on the NBC musical drama Smash, and also weighed in on what she thinks of the new Idol judges’ panel.

Finally having a chance to sit down and watch one episode, Jennifer said, “It’s taken a bit to get used to the new judges.” She added, “I come from American Idol so I’m used to Simon, Paula and Randy…it’s kind of awkward for me to see it with new judges.”

When co-host, Kelly Ripa, asked Jennifer how she thinks she would respond, as a contestant, to the way the new judges critique, the singer exclaimed, “You’re asking me hard questions!”

“I’m happy that Mariah is there because she’s a singer,” Jennifer said, “So she knows what to expect, how to judge, even the position the kids are in when they’re auditioning.”

…and Jennifer left it at that.

Watch Jennifer Hudson talk about American Idol below:

http://youtu.be/a8D1GiVa850

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  • http://twitter.com/Sassycatz Sassycatz

    She didn’t need Idol to shine, she is famouse becouse HER TALENT!

    Well, that’s totally false on its foundations. The very way she got public attention and the chance to do everything else she’s done was to be on Idol, just as it is for all the other contestants. She doesn’t need Idol anymore, but that’s the luck of the draw.

  • elliegrll

    She never would have gotten an audition for DreamGirls if she didn’t appear on AI.  Jennifer truly was that contestant, whose background story just consisted of singing at home and in the choir.

  • http://www.facebook.com/frapalo Francisco Rapalo

    No, you are wrong! She auditioned to ‘Dreamgirls’ like a nobody… Idol don’t give her fame…

  • http://www.facebook.com/aleeatorio Alexandre Oliveira

    lol this is getting sooooooo old

  • b_james

    She knows that Simon, Paula, and Randy weren’t singers, right?

  • http://twitter.com/Sassycatz Sassycatz

    No, you are wrong! She auditioned to ‘Dreamgirls’ like a nobody… Idol don’t give her fame…

    You think she would’ve been given a chance to audition without being on Idol first? (In fact, I *think* Fantasia was considered for the role too, and oddly enough, they both were on Idol! Coincidence?)

  • irockhard

    What I heard is that the producers of Dreamgirls called Debra Byrd and the other Idol vocal coaches for recommendations. Debra recommended both Jennifer and Fantasia, they both auditioned and Jennifer got the role.

  • tomr

    So far I think the judges are a nice blend.  Although I can’t stand Nicki’s speaking voice or music, I do appreciate her willingness to speak up with a position.  Mariah needs to be careful not to follow in the footsteps of JLO and be too guarded in her critiques because it might affect her career.  Keith, so far, has been GREAT!  Randy is Randy,,,if you listen carefully, he is almost always right when someone is terrible.  His constructive criticism is very limited.  The live shows will be the indicator of just how good they can “judge.”  How they present themselves cannot be manipulated by editting.

  • mmb

    pretty sure Jennifer herself has stated that her Idol connections got her the Dreamgirls audition (or maybe one of the vocal coaches said it…)….

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/QXISMF77FUTM37Y5Z2CGBNSBQU Aaron

    I agree. Steven Tyler is an amazing singer/performer, but what a lousy judge he is! 

  • WD79

    And he won all that Grammys in Best Male Vocal Performance too. Not a lot of ‘singers’ can claim they’ve won Grammys or CMAs or ACMs in that category. :)

  • fuzzywuzzy

    According to this 2007 interview that Rodnet Ho did with Debra Byrd, you are correct:

    She remains buds with many of the past contestants including Kelly Clarkson, who appears on the DVD, Kimberly Caldwell (also on the DVD), George Huff, Kellie Pickler, Justin Guarini, Fantasia and Jennifer Hudson. (In fact, Byrd takes credit for recommending Jennifer to play Effie for the film version of “Dreamgirls.” She said they called her first to ask about Frenchie Davis or Fantasia. “The casting person had no idea who Jennifer was,” she recalled.”She was not on their radar.”)

    http://idolforums.com/index.php?showtopic=486389&st=0&p=11727812&

  • http://twitter.com/ladymctech ladymctech

    I’d love to see Mariah and Randy go and be replaced by some combination of Cher, Harry Connick Jr., and Gene Simmons.

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