Congratulations to Jennifer Hudson. The season 3 American Idol alum and former The Voice coach nabbed two major awards at the NAACP Image Awards Saturday night (Feb. 26), which aired on BET Saturday night.
The singer and actress took home both the Entertainer of the Year and Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture awards. Jennifer starred in the Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect. Check out the full list of winners at Variety.
In her acceptance speech for Outstanding Actress, Jennifer said, “This is for Miss Franklin’s legacy, to her family. I want to dedicate it to each and every one of them. And to everybody who has always supported me.”
She also thanked her fellow actresses in the category, including Andra Day, Halle Berry, and Zendaya. “All of you ladies have inspired me so much. I did not see this coming by any means, but Lord knows I am grateful.”
On social media, Jennifer wrote, “Wow !!! All I can say is thank u God and thank u @naacpimageaward for these awards ! I’m beyond humbled and grateful for this honor. I also have to thank my amazing @RespectMovie family ! These are for u, Ms. Franklin!”
Wow !!! All I can say is thank u God and thank u @naacpimageaward for these awards ! I’m beyond humbled and grateful for this honor. I also have to thank my amazing @RespectMovie family ! These are for u, Ms. Franklin ! pic.twitter.com/f2AU1CBBU9
— Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) February 27, 2022
“She’s always been one of my idols,” Jennifer explained last year on the Respect premiere red carpet about what it meant to play Aretha Franklin on the big screen. “And then for her to pick me to do, this is beyond a blessing, a dream, an honor. I do not take it lightly and I just wanted to give every bit of my own to pay tribute to her yet again.” Jennifer added, “And also it was my dream to play her. So add all those things up. You know, that’s what it means to me.”
“She’s blessed so many of us through her music,” Jennifer said. “And I think all of us have been influenced by her musically.” She added, “That’s the importance of biopics–telling the stories of the legends, of the icons that are timeless, to make sure it carries on for generations and generations to come.”
