With numerous acting awards already resting on her mantle, Jennifer Hudson is finally ready to release an album.
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Arista Records has announced the former American Idol third-season finalist's self-titled debut will drop in September, while its first single -- "Spotlight" -- will be released for radio airplay on June 9 and be available for download via iTunes the following day.
"I'm beyond ecstatic about my new album," said Hudson. "I think people will be pleasantly surprised, because it shows a side of my work that no one has heard before. This album has a huge variety of sounds and one of my favorite songs is 'Spotlight' because it has this great infectious groove. This is completely new territory for me and I can't wait for people to hear it."
Timbaland, Robin Thicke, The Underdogs, Diane Warren, Ne-Yo and Tricky Stewart are among those who will contribute to Hudson's self-titled debut, among others.
"With Jennifer's debut album we will be introducing a major new recording star," said RCA chairman Clive Davis. "She takes on every genre of music and makes each her own. She's pure and simple a great natural talent and her album will very excitingly reflect that."
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To say Hudson's debut album is long awaited is definitely an understatement considering it's been more than four years since she finished seventh on Idol's third season.
However it was definitely ended up being worth the wait for Hudson, as she portrayed powerhouse singer Effie White in director Bill Condon's critically-acclaimed 2006 film adaptation of Broadway's Dreamgirls musical.
The performance has been a best supporting actress goldmine for the 26-year-old, as she has claimed numerous awards for her portrayal of White -- from the Golden Globe and Oscar to the Screen Actors Guild and British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Hudson has also parlayed her Dreamgirls role into more acting gigs, including New Line Cinema's Sex & the City feature film, which will open May 30 and feature Hudson playing Louise -- the assistant of Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw character.
In addition, Hudson will star in Roman Woods' ensemble drama Winged Creatures and in a film adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd's best-selling novel The Secret Life of Bees, which opens October 17.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio