Jennifer Hudson has come a long way since her American Idol days. Among the projects that she’s been up to are blockbuster films like 2008’s Sex and the City and three studio albums. In 2021, the singer and actress also portrayed Aretha Franklin in the biopic Respect, which earned her plenty of commentary from her co-stars.
Back in 2006, not long after her debut on American Idol, Hudson starred in the Broadway adaptation Dreamgirls. Acting alongside legends like Beyoncé and Eddie Murphy, Hudson portrayed the role of Effie White, a feisty and extremely talented singer.
What many fans don’t realize about the role is that Hudson was required to change her appearance in order to play Effie.
Hudson, who is now a health and fitness advocate, has since turned down other roles that would have required her to change her appearance. But she has confessed that she would do it again if the right role came along.
Jennifer Hudson Joined The Cast Of ‘Dreamgirls’
Dreamgirls was released in 2006. The film, starring Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx, was written and directed by Bill Condon.
Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, which premiered in 1981, Dreamgirls tells the story of a Detroit-based girl group called the Dreams and their lead singer Deena Jones, played by Beyoncé.
The film is largely inspired by the history of Motown and one of its acts, the Supremes. The character of Deena Jones is reportedly based on legendary singer Diana Ross.
In the film, Jennifer Hudson stars as Effie White, one of the Dreams. She begins as the lead singer, but when the group attracts the attention of manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (played by Jamie Foxx), Effie is pushed to being a background singer as Deena is considered to be more attractive.
Jennifer Hudson Was Told To Gain Weight To Star As Effie
To star as Effie, a body-positive character, Jennifer Hudson was required to gain weight. People reported that she gained 20 pounds for the role. She reportedly put on the weight by eating fried foods and sweets.
Hudson is a health and fitness advocate, and has chronicled her weight loss journey in the public eye. She later joined Weight Watchers as a spokesperson.
Jennifer Hudson Also Had To Get Lip Injections
Her body size wasn’t the only thing Hudson was asked to change in order to portray Effie. The former American Idol contestant revealed that she also had to get lip injections to correct an imperfection in her lip.
“When I did Dreamgirls I actually had to get my dent right here injected because it was affecting the lighting," she recalled (via E!).
"And when I got it done the doctor was like, 'I do not want to do this, do you realize people come in here and pay to have the lips you have naturally.' And I was like, 'I don't want to but I have to for the movie!'"
Jennifer Hudson Would Change Her Appearance Again For The Right Role
Hudson later turned down a lead role in Precious, which also may have required her to gain weight. But she is adamant that if the right role came along, she would have no issue with putting on weight again.
Rather it was the fact that Precious would have been too graphic that stopped her from taking the role.
“I would gain weight in a heartbeat," the Grammy-winning singer said at a book signing in Atlanta. "I have no issues with that at all."
Jennifer Hudson Won An Oscar For Her Role As Effie
The physical changes that Jennifer Hudson made were a sign of her dedication to the role of Effie. All that work, plus her undeniable talent, earned her an Academy Award.
At the 79th Oscars, Dreamgirls was nominated for eight awards. Hudson won Best Supporting Actress, while the film itself also won Best Sound Mixing.
The film was also a commercial success at the box office, grossing more than $155 million.
Beyoncé Also Changed Her Appearance For ‘Dreamgirls’
Jennifer Hudson wasn’t the only one who changed her appearance in order to star in Dreamgirls. While Hudson put on weight, Beyoncé went on a strict diet to shed it. According to People, the Formation singer lost 20 pounds for the role of Deena Jones.
“At the beginning (of filming), I was my normal weight,” she explained. “I actually gained a little bit, but then I lost 20 lbs. when I went from young Deena to old Deena. I wanted it to be something more than just make-up and hair. I wanted to see the change.”
Beyoncé then confirmed that it was her idea to lose weight, and she wasn’t put under any pressure by Hollywood executives.
