reunion on! After hosting Simon Cowell for her daytime debut, Jennifer Hudson was reunited with another member of the show's original judging panel -- Randy Jackson. «Thank you for you voice and bringing your voice to us on the show,» the music legend said to Hudson, recalling their first encounter at her audition in Atlanta 18 years ago. «I grew up in the church, in the hood.
You grew up in the church, probably in the hood too. Singing is what we love, we grow up loving singing in the church,» Jackson shared. «When I heard you when you auditioned, I thought, 'That girl's got something.' And you still got it today, y'all, J-Hud is in her house!»The EGOT winner credited Jackson for kicking off her journey, saying, «Without this man, I wouldn't be here today.»Jackson noted that Hudson is «proof» for those trying to make their way in their careers because she never gave up after she placed seventh on season 3 of the singing competition series in 2004. «You knew that you had a gift given by God,» Jackson said. «I'm probably more proud of you than any winner because you didn't win!
And look at what you've done. That's the thing, keep going and never give up. Believe in yourself and believe in your talent.
You did it, you said, 'Look, this ain't gonna stop me. One door closes, five more about to open.'» During Cowell's appearance last week, the 62-year-old attributed the show's success to contestants like Hudson, noting that her «combination of talent, determination, and real personality» drove viewers to tune in. «And even though we had that kind of, like, banter, you and I, it was always that.
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