The role 's high-pitched emotions were a challenge , Hudson told the Chicago Sun-Times in 2006 . Hudson rise to fame came the old-fashioned way . Jennifer Hudson 's 's mother , brother , nephew found dead in Illinois , Chicago . Singer beat out 101 other women for role in `` Dreamgirls '' Hudson 's first national recognition came on `` American Idol ''
Hudson rise to fame came the old-fashioned way . Jennifer Hudson 's 's mother , brother , nephew found dead in Illinois , Chicago . Singer beat out 101 other women for role in `` Dreamgirls '' Hudson 's first national recognition came on `` American Idol ''