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'The Voice' Judge Jennifer Hudson: 12 Times She Absolutely Slayed A Vocal Performance

Believe us, it was tough to pick just 12.
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Entertainment Editor

When ‘The Voice’ made the jump from the BBC to ITV, we weren’t sure what they would do to shake it up and make it a bit more exciting.

Enter: Jennifer Hudson.

We are completely ready for the newest coach on the panel to brighten up our Saturday nights, and if you’re wondering what makes her qualified for the job, then you might want to take a look at these moments she proved herself as one of her generation’s great vocalist...

1. Her 'American Idol' audition
The first time J-Hud came to the world's attention was as a contestant on 'American Idol', when she enthusiastically and confidently told the judges she was "the best they could find in America".

Honestly, though - was she wrong?
2. Her efforts during live shows
Unsurprisingly, Jennifer sailed through the competition and made it to live shows, where she gave a stellar performance each week.

What may come as a shock to those not familiar was that she finished not in first place, and not even second - but seventh.
3. Her performance as Effie in 'Dreamgirls'
Proving some talent is irrepressible, within three years Jennifer had gone from a seventh place talent show contestant to an Oscar-winner.

How did she do it? Watch that video - who can argue with those pipes?
4. Holding her own with Jennifer Holliday
Tackling a song like 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going' could be a daunting task for some, particularly when you're performing it with the artist everyone associates it with already.

And yet, when the two Jennifers took to the stage together at the BET Awards in 2007, they complemented one another perfectly.
5. Singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl
The whole world was rooting for Jennifer when she made her first public appearance at the Super Bowl in 2009, just months after the murder of her mother, brother and nephew.

She totally delivered, though, and delivered one of the most stunning renditions of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' the Super Bowl has ever seen.
6. Performing for Oprah Winfrey
At the Kennedy Center Honors in 2010, Jennifer performed 'I'm Here' from the musical 'The Color Purple' in front of Oprah Winfrey, who co-starred in the original film.

Years later, Jennifer appeared in a reboot of the musical on Broadway.
7. Remembering Whitney Houston
One day after the death of Whitney Houston in 2012, the Grammy Awards were held.

A last-minute tribute to the multiple-winner was prepared, with Jennifer tackling her most memorable song, 'I Will Always Love You', arguably Whitney's best vocal effort.
8. Her return to the Super Bowl
Three years after singing the National Anthem, Jennifer performed at the Super Bowl once again, this time with the chorus from Sandy Hook Elementary School, where a shooting had taken place months earlier.
9. Appearing with Latrice Royale at Fashion Rocks
Jennifer's huge vocals are often associated with emotional ballads and powerful showtunes, so when she appeared at Fashion Rocks in 2014, it was refreshing to see her trying something a bit more fun and uplifting. And she still slayed.
10. Singing her drive-through order in 'Carpool Karaoke'
Let's be honest, James Corden is often guilty of overshadowing his guests in 'Carpool Karaoke'... but with J-Hud, how could he compete?

She even floored us with her vocals at the drive through, for crying out loud.
11. Paying tribute to Prince at the BET Awards
Jennifer was one of several artists who honoured Prince at the BET Awards, but she arguably had the biggest job on her hands, singing 'Purple Rain'.

And she nailed it.
12. 'I Know Where I've Been'
Talk about giving a song your absolute all. A brilliant note to end on, it's been more than a decade since Jennifer came to our attention, and she's still delivering every. Single. Time.
'The Voice' UK: Where Are They Now?
Jermain Jackman(01 of12)
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It wasn't until the third series of The X Factor that it found its first international star in winner Leona Lewis. With Jermain Jackman's much-anticipated debut album due for release in March, time will tell if he can be The Voice's first ever break-out star... (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Leanne Mitchell(02 of12)
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Sadly, the show's first ever winner found herself dropped last year, after releasing just one album. Leanne has since blamed the fact her label waited too long after her victory on 'The Voice' in releasing the album for its lack of commercial success, claiming she's happy she didn't "cop out" and release a covers album. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Tyler James(03 of12)
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Tyler "I Was Best Friends With Amy Winehouse" James (she's mentioned six times on his Wikipedia page alone) was a fan-favourite during the first series of 'The Voice', famously performing a duet with will.i.am dangling from the ceiling.Sadly this didn't translate to a fruitful music career and his last offering in 2012 stalled at number 47 in the UK album chart. (credit:REX/Brian Rasic)
Bo Bruce(04 of12)
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Despite having the most commercial success of any of the former 'Voice' stars, Bo hasn't exactly had an easy time since leaving the competition, quitting her record label after two singles due to a "lack of support" and eventually checking into rehab for exhaustion.She's since branded former coach Danny O'Donaghue a "wanker" after admitting that they shared a snog while she was still being mentored by him on the show.Bo collaborated with top DJ Chicane on a dance track last year. (credit:Rex/Jason Sheldon)
Vince Kidd(05 of12)
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Had the people who voted on 'The X Factor' also voted on 'The Voice', Vince would probably have won, and could potentially be one of the biggest faces on the music scene, even three years later.Sadly, this was not the case, and Leanne took the crown while Vince came in fourth place (potentially down to the fact he performed one of Jessie J's lesser-known songs as his 'coaches duet').That said, Vince is still making music, and last year co-wrote and provided vocals for the Alpines' track 'Zero'. (credit:Rex)
Twinnie Lee Moore(06 of12)
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Already a successful musical theatre actress when she auditioned for 'The Voice' in 2012, Twinnie Lee has since focused on her acting career, and made a storm in 'Hollyoaks' when she arrived on the scene as Porsche McQueen in November last year.She also, judging from this photo, loves a good hat. (credit:Rex/Tom Horton)
Jamie Johnson(07 of12)
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After performing with legends like Kylie Minogue and Justin Timberlake in the space of a year thanks to his appearance on 'The Voice', Jamie has now said he's determined to make a splash in America, insisting: "I just don’t want half the cake, I want the whole cake." (credit:Rex/Beretta/Sims)
Leah McFall(08 of12)
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One of the most unanimously-praised 'Voice' contestants ever, kooky and talented Leah is due to release her debut album 'Weird To Wonderful' later this year.She's been in the studio with former mentor, will.i.am, collaborating with him on the track, 'Home'. (credit:Neil Lupin via Getty Images)
Andrea Begley(09 of12)
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Andrea famously caused will.i.am to storm off set when she was announced as winner in 2013, over his act, Leah McFall.Since taking her place on the 'Voice' throne, Andrea has hit the UK top ten with an album of covers, 'The Message'.Last year, she also completed her Masters degree in Law and Governance... which would appear to suggest we won't be hearing a follow-up album for the time being. (credit:Harlem Mepham via Getty Images)
Max Milner(10 of12)
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Don't let that haphazard peace sign deceive you - Max is actually on of the former contestants to still be making music, performing alongside Kaiser Chiefs at the launch of Jaguar's new model last year.He also recently unveiled his latest release, 'Man Overboard'. (credit:Rex/Ray Tang)
Sally Barker(11 of12)
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Sally may not have been the winner of 'The Voice' last year, but she still managed to thrash eventual-champion Jermain Jackman in terms of single sales, charting 15 places higher than him the week after the show ended.Following her success on the show, Sally completed a UK tour at the tail-end of 2014. (credit:Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
Bungle(12 of12)
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From what we can gather, he's still living comfortably with Zippy and George in the 'Rainbow' house, following his brief appearance on 'The Voice' this year. (credit:Rex/Freemantle Media Ltd.)
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