During Sunday night’s 75th annual Tony Awards, singer, songwriter, and actress Jennifer Hudson took home the trophy for Best Musical for her role as co-producer on the hit Broadway show “A Strange Loop.” The win marked her induction into the prestigious EGOT club, having already won an Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar.
The Hollywood star is now the second Black woman and the 17th thespian to achieve the prestigious status. The 40-year-old star joins the likes of John Legend and Whoopi Goldberg, who became the first Black woman, the third Black person, and the fifth woman overall to obtain the industry’s esteemed distinction in 2002 after she earned a Tony for her work as a producer on the Broadway musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Congratulatory remarks have already begun to pour in from peers and fans across social media. “We love to see it!,” wrote Legend on Twitter. Congratulations @IAMJHUD !”
“Jesus Jesus Jesus!!!!!! Queen Hudson is NOT to be played with,” wrote actor and singer Tyrese Gibson on Instagram. “ I’m so so very proud of you queen….. I’m so inspired by you.”
“Jennifer Hudson has literally defied all the odds. She came in 7th place on American Idol and has since accomplished all of this. What a Dreamgirl!!” commented another person. “And that’s on Effie White!” quipped another fan, referencing her character in the 2007 musical drama film “Dreams Girls” which earned the actress her first Oscar award.
Hudson is also now “the first ‘American Idol’ contestant to ever EGOT,” as many pointed out on social media, including one person who wrote, “Her losing American idol was just a set back for a greater comeback.”
“Not bad for someone who came 7th in her season of American Idol!! Ladies and gentlemen, when one door closes…” wrote another user.
Hudson manifested her EGOT status years ago, telling People Magazine in 2020, “I got a dog and named it Oscar, and then I won my Oscar. And then I got a dog and named it Grammy, and then I won my Grammy.” She added, “So I think I should get some dogs and name them Emmy and Tony — and it’ll give me good luck, and I’ll win [They’re] like my good luck charms.”
The Chicago native has won a Daytime Emmy for her role as executive producer for “Baby Yaga” and Grammy awards for “The Color Purple” the musical, and her 2009 debut self-titled studio album, respectively.
