Born Jennifer Kate Hudson on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, she earned minor attention as one of the twelve finalists on the third season of the FOX TV series in 2004. She came in an underwhelming sixth runner-up. Hudson grew up singing in gospel choirs, acting in community theater productions, singing on cruise ships and touring for in Disney's Hercules: her gospel- voice initially pleased the panel of judges. Her role in Dreamgirls (2006) was one of the most triumphant musical film debuts. In November 2006, she signed a record deal with Clive Davis's label, Arista Records.