Jennifer Hudson returns to 'American Idol' as a mentor, guest judge
The EGOT winner said returning to "American Idol" was a "dream come true."
Jennifer Hudson returned to "American Idol" more than two decades after she competed on the show.
The talk show host and EGOT winner joined her "American Idol" family Monday night as a mentor and guest judge. Hudson took a seat at the judges table alongside hosts Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and fellow "Idol" alum Carrie Underwood for this week's Disney night.
Hudson told ABC News that coming back to the show as a guest judge and mentor felt like a "dream come true."
"I got to call myself a judge today," she continued. "I don't take anything lightly and I celebrate everything. It's a celebration to be able to come back in my circle of life and be in the judging panel."
When asked what it was like returning to "American Idol" after all these years, Hudson said it "felt like it transported me back."
"As soon as I walked in and I saw the 'American Idol' sign, I felt like a contestant all over again," she said. "That feeling never leaves you. So my heart always goes out to the finalists."
As a guest judge, Hudson brought a surplus of shoes to compliment singers.
After finalist Keyla Richardson's performance of "Circle of Life," Hudson threw a shoe on stage at the 29-year-old and told her that the song, which she also sang in 2004 when she competed on the show, serves as a "full circle of my life."
"This song is a testimony and you just performed it like your testimony," Hudson added.
Hudson also threw her shoe at Jordan McCullough, 27, who sang "Colors of the Wind" from "Pocahontas."
"I had nothing to say, I threw the shoe," Hudson said.
"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest asked Hudson how many shoes she brought and Hudson replied, "I was looking at Carrie and was like, 'can I borrow your shoe?'"
Seacrest told ABC News after Monday night's show that seeing Hudson transform into the artist she's become over the years is a "full circle moment" and recalled how Hudson said "American Idol" was the "blueprint for everything that set her up to do what she's done."
"She's done so many remarkable things, she's won every single award, she is so personable and natural at not only being a performer but being a guest judge tonight," Seacrest added.
While Hudson didn't win "American Idol" in 2004 (she placed seventh), she went on to become an Emmy-nominated talk show host, Oscar winner and more. In 2022, Hudson achieved EGOT status when she won a Tony Award for her work as a producer on the Broadway show "A Strange Loop."
She earned her Emmy in 2021 for "Baba Yaga," which earned the trophy for outstanding interactive media for a daytime program. The first Grammy she won was in 2009 for best R&B album for her self-titled album "Jennifer Hudson."
In 2007, she won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance as Effie White in "Dreamgirls," which she starred in alongside Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose and Keith Robinson.
When it comes to advice she has for the remaining contestants, longevity is top of mind for her.
"That's what it's about, at least for me. Building longevity," she said. "And whatever you set your mind to is what will be and I hope that the contestants that go home each week know that this is the start."
She added, "Now it's up to you to make that opportunity work and it does not end. You still have your talent and you carry on and go on and continue to do whatever you dream to do."
Following Monday night's show, the competition whittled down to the top 7 after Kyndal Inskeep and Lucas Leon were eliminated.
The contestants that remain are McCullough, Richardson, Brooks Rosser, Chris Tungseth, Hannah Harper, Braden Rumfelt and Daniel Stallworth.
Next week, the top 7 finalists will take the stage to perform Taylor Swift songs and Nikki Glaser will be a guest judge.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News.
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