Jennifer Hudson Talks "American Idol" & Sings "I Am Changing" | Letterman

The "American Idol" runner up blows the roof off the Ed Sullivan Theater with a performance from "Dreamgirls."
(From "Late Show," air date: 1/8/07)
#jenniferhudson #dreamgirls #letterman
Subscribe to Letterman: bit.ly/3GeOIAg
Follow Letterman on Social:
Facebook: / davidletterman
Instagram: / letterman
Twitter: / letterman
Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. These highlights have been artisanly-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

[@TheBakko343]

It's 2023 and I thought I would listen to some of Jennifer's old videos. I thought she had an amazing voice during American Idol and Dreamgirls, but the power and versatility of her voice today blows old Jennifer out of the water. Don't know how that's possible, but she's done it.

[@Alex.Almodovar]

Amazing to see her so humble and green with no industry experience and now a superstar with every accolade an entertainer can dream of earning. Miss EGOT. I have followed her career since idol until now and her talk show and amazed at the evolution of her iconic career. She has aged like fine wine.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Without a doubt.

[@curlyb4c95]

All kinds of pretty. 🥰

[@humblebeans5511]

Hearing her talk about her mom still tears me up all these years later 🙏🏾

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Absolutely.

[@LorraineVann-mc9pt]

Yes, me too, but she cherishes those memories

[@NIJEECAPRICORN23]

Wow 😱 this performance blows my mind every time!!! Amazing talent

[@kidthump]

She is beautiful.

[@pauld205]

Wow! Jazz scales. True musician

[@thelettermanpodcast]

And then some.

[@user-dv4bx7nt5h]

I love Jennifer Hudson. She is so talented & anointed!! A stunning voice!!

[@jafar2940]

Absolutely breathtaking performance. But for Jennifer this was seemingly effortless. Thanks for sharing

[@barbarablakely8255]

All the feeling in the world in this version❤❤❤❤

[@jakericablanca4456]

My God. I always tear up on the music of Dreamgirls especially this one. This arrangement is gorgeous! I love how the horns would sneak in in the beginning and the syncopations in the bridge. And the discipline it took to make that ending as delicate and exquisitely thrifty! Meticulous! And the skill/talent it took for the musicians to play at such level. And of course, Jennifer's immaculate vocals!

[@NetworkingQueen1]

Never gets old. My God the truth never gets old!

[@klieglamp]

She is amazing.

[@Ciclopea2]

Classic performance by JHud, absolutely in command of the stage and her talent. She's inspiring since her AI journey got it all started.

[@affirmas.519]

Just looking at this and knowing who and what she grew to become, if she doesn't get a biopic in the future, Hollywood would've certainly dropped the ball.

[@jaimevegareyes7588]

Amazing!!!!

[@thelettermanpodcast]

She is silk :)

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

This is in the Top 3 musical performances on any talk show. Jennifer blew the roof off. Plus, Paul's production made this version better than what was on the album

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Paul and the band created such special, magical collaborations. When working with phenoms like this it didn’t make them better, but let them shine in a better, different light.

[@wewper]

Seth Rudetsky playing behind Paul.

[@syurgacandies]

She's effortlessly funny!

[@melissacross1535]

Hudso wow!..what a voice...so powerful...I saw Dream Girls years ago and she was a professional then..I'd love just to have 1/4 of her voice ...more powerful then queen B.

[@humblebugg5270]

Ya got any gum

[@barbarablakely8255]

Jennifer Hudson does this song my justice. Jennifer Holliday was way too animated for me.

[@WEPDRabbitEarsTV]

Boooooorrrrrrriiiiing!

[@chiefscheider]

She's also one of the least deserving Oscar winners ever, right up there with Kim Basinger for L.A. Confidential

[@WEPDRabbitEarsTV]

@Camilia I just mean for a Letterman clip, this isn't what Dave fans crave.

[@shannonmcclain2036]

@WØEPD - Rabbit Ears TV I'm really sorry 😞 Please forgive me, and I will remove my comment.

[@curlyb4c95]

She’s soo pretty. I like her like this, more voluptuous. Still pretty now, but on this clip, I like this size better. Just gorgeous!

[@zaikoperez2591]

I agree