Jennifer Hudson Joins ‘American Idol’ as a Guest Judge and Mentor for Disney Night
EGOT winner and former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson is set to return as a guest judge and mentor on the ABC music competition series during its Disney Night on April 20. This announcement was made during the latest episode of the long-running show. Hudson, a finalist in 2004, will join fellow judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood as they guide the Top 9 finalists in the themed competition.
This will be Hudson’s first appearance on American Idol in over a decade, last performing on the show in 2015 alongside Iggy Azalea, with whom she sang “Trouble.” Hudson will also mentor the finalists, leading them as they perform cherished Disney songs live for America’s votes and a coveted place in the Top 7.
Hudson gained fame as a contestant on the third season of American Idol, where she finished in seventh place. Since then, she has joined the prestigious ranks of EGOT winners, a group that includes only 22 individuals. Her talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, has been renewed for a fifth season and boasts 13 Daytime Emmy nominations.
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Last October, Hudson released her first Grammy-nominated holiday album, The Gift of Love, and will share the stage with Josh Groban in concert this summer. Her voice was also recently featured in the animated film Goat.
Looking ahead, Hudson is joining the producing team for the Fall 2026 Broadway revival of Dreamgirls, 20 years after winning an Academy Award for her role as Effie White in the 2006 film adaptation directed by Bill Condon.
This season of American Idol marked its biggest debut since Season 20, airing on Mondays instead of Sundays this year. “Disney Night” will be broadcast live next Monday from 8-10 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. Episodes will be available for streaming the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.
