' Hudson 's rise to fame came the old - fashioned way . Hudson 's mother , brother , were found dead in Chicago , Illinois . ... Singer beat out more than 800 other girls for role in ` ` Dreamgirls '' Hudson 's first national recognition came on ` ` American Idol ''
' Hudson 's rise to fame came the old - fashioned way . Hudson 's mother , brother , were found dead in Chicago , Illinois . Singer beat out more than 800 other girls for role in ` ` Dreamgirls '' Hudson 's first national recognition came on ` ` American Idol ''