JENNIFER HUDSON TO MARRY IN SPRING

Jennifer Hudson is reportedly set to marry this spring.The Oscar-winning 'Dreamgirls' actress - who is about to start recording her first album - pledged to marry maintenance engineer James Peyton when she made it big, and now James is taking her up on her promise. A source told National Enquirer magazine: "James didn't want to let Jennifer slip away. After she won the Oscar, James reminded her that she promised him they would get married as soon as she got her singing career off the ground."Jennifer, 25, who is due to begin filming new drama 'Winged Creatures', has been dating James for eight years.The former 'American Idol' contestant says James is the one for her because he makes her feel secure. She said: "The difference is, why would I pick somebody new when it's like,'You don't know me. You just see the Jennifer Hudson that's in 'Dreamgirls'or the Jennifer Hudson from 'American Idol'.' "

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STARBUCKS CANCELS JENNIFER HUDSON

Jennifer Hudson Acting Like DIVA !

Jennifer Hudson's performance for Starbucks bosses was cancelled due to her alleged diva-like demands.The former 'American Idol' contestant, who has received worldwide acclaim after winning an Oscar for her performance in 'Dreamgirls', was scheduled to sing at the coffee giant's annual meeting in Seattle on Wednesday. Her appearance was cancelled after she presented them with a string of extravagant demands, including having baked chicken wings for breakfast. A source is quoted by gossip website TMZ as saying: "Jennifer's agency William Morris demanded five cars, hair and make-up artists, security for her and her assistant and humidifiers."But the final straw came when they told Starbucks she would need baked chicken wings at 10am."Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz decided he had enough and pulled the plug because he didn't like the way the agent was dealing with his people."William Morris has so far refused to comment on the matter.

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JENNIFER HUDSON MAY PLAY ARETHA FRANKLIN IN MOVIE ON HER EXCITING LIFE

The Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin

Jennifer Hudson is in line to play Aretha Franklin in a movie about her life. Aretha, who has been approached by several movie studios about taking her story to the big screen, has revealed that Jennifer has been suggested for the starring role. Aretha told Access Hollywood : "Well, I don't know. I'm not sure. The producers want to know how I feel about it, about her playing me. What I'd like to see is three different people playing me."Although Aretha remains unconvinced about the Oscar-winning actress suitability for the role, she has seen other possible candidates. She said: "There's a young lady who opened the tribute show in Los Angeles that the United Negro College Fund gave me who was very good and I've heard another little girl who was quite good. Perhaps someone playing me from the age of 25 to about 40 and then someone else beyond that."Aretha also doubts that movie bosses will find anyone who can match her vocal prowess. She explained: "There may even be a little lip synching here and there. We've gotta go with some of these records I made through out my career. They were classics and some of it will be verbal but not vocalised in its entirety."A musical production based on the life of the soul singer is already in the pipeline, with auditions planned for Detroit in May. Aretha will be involved in casting, and will choose people to portray "key members" from her family and friends.

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DREAMGIRL JENNIFER HUDSON GIVEN BURGER KING 'ALL YOU CAN EAT FOR LIFE'

Dinner Is On Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson has been given an all-you-can-eat-free-for-life card by Burger King.The Oscar-winning actress responded to criticism from 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell for not thanking the show in her acceptance speech - on which she was a contestant - by asking if she should also have thanked the fast food chain where she once worked. Jennifer snapped: "If I'd been any better at my job when I was at Burger King in my middle teens, I wouldn't be here either, so should I thank them,too?"Burger King has now released a statement, saying: "In response to Jennifer's recent comments in which she asked if she should be thanking Burger King, we say thanks, but no thanks are necessary. Burger King Corporation is proud of Jennifer's success and while we never like to lose employees, in this case, our loss is the entertainment industry's gain. To further show our support for Jennifer, and make sure she never has to sing for her supper again, Burger King Corporation is giving her a pre-paid BK Crown Card that will be automatically reloaded for life."The 'Dreamgirls' star's first job was at a Chicago Burger King when she was 16. Jennifer claims she sang while working on the drive-through counter and flipping burgers.

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JENNIFER HUDSON STRIKES SIMON COWELL

Jennifer Hudson Can't Stand Simon Cowell

Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson has hit back at "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, comparing her experience on the talent show to working at Burger King. Hudson -- who was a contestant on the show in 2004 -- was rejected and tipped for failure by Cowell. When she went onto Oscar success through her role in "Dreamgirls," Cowell accused Hudson of failing to appreciate the "big opportunity" her appearance on the show offered her. But Best Supporting Actress Hudson snaps back, "If I'd been any better at my job when I was at Burger King in my middle teens I wouldn't be here either, so should I thank them, too?"

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JENNIFER HUDSON WINS NAACP AWARD

ACADEMY award winner Jennifer Hudson kept her winning streak alive and Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington claimed a best actor prize at the annual Image Awards. Hudson, a former American Idol finalist, received a best supporting actress award for her role in the musical, Dreamgirls, the same category she won at the Oscars last weekend. "There is nothing like being recognised and honoured by your own," said Hudson. Civil rights group the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People holds the awards each year.

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JENNIFER HUDSON'S GRUELLING FITNESS DIET WORKS AT THE 'OSCARS'

Jennifer Hudson At The 'Oscars'

Jennifer Hudson shunned alcohol over the Oscars weekend to keep up her gruelling fitness regime.The 'Dreamgirls' star - who won the Best Supporting Actress prize on Sunday night - has been on a strict diet and exercise program and refused to break it. A source at the Giant Magazine party on Saturday night said:"Jennifer drank mineral water all night and didn't stay late because she had to get up for an early morning workout with her personal trainer.The 25-year-old looked stunning on the Oscar red carpet in her tight-fitting gold Oscar de la Renta dress. Accepting her award, Jennifer broke down in tears, saying: "I have to just take this moment in. I cannot believe this. Look what God can do."Jennifer's 'Dreamgirls' co-star Jamie Foxx made up for Jennifer's party pooping at the Giant Magazine pre-Oscars bash, held at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. He was joined by a around a dozen women in his own private room where the group drank until the early hours.

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'DREAMGIRL' JENNIFER HUDSON WAS SO TERRIFIED TO KISS CO-STAR JAMIE FOXX

Jamie Foxx And Jennifer Hudson

'Dreamgirls' star Jennifer Hudson was terrified about kissing Jamie Foxx.The 25-year-old actress - who has been nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Effie in the film loosely based on the career of Diana Ross and The Supremes - insists being a contestant on 'American Idol' was more daunting than her debut film role. However, she conceded that smooching with her handsome co-star was just as scary as facing Simon Cowell on the TV talent show. She told BANG Showbiz: "Well, I was definitely nervous about kissing Jamie. But I think because 'American Idol' was first I would have to say I was more nervous about 'Idol'. It helped prepare me for this. I walked away saying if I can do 'Idol' I can do anything. So any time I would get on set and I would get nervous I would think come on you did 'American Idol'. "The way they just get you on the stage and devour you into pieces, if I can stand that and still survive, then I know I can get through anything." The Golden Globe-winning star has also revealed that acting was never part of her career plan. Jennifer said: "Acting never occurred to me until I got the call to come and audition for this role. I did participate in school plays but I would always just be the singer,"But when the acting came about I fell in love with it and it is something I want to continue to do."

BRAD PITT MISTAKES EXTRA REPORTER FOR 'DREAMGIRLS' STAR JENNIFER HUDSON

Brad Pitt mistakenly congratulated a reporter at the Golden Globe Awards, thinking she was 'Dreamgirls' actress Jennifer Hudson. Brad and Angelina Jolie, who met 'Extra' TV presenter Tanika Ray at the awards ceremony just after Jennifer had been presented with the Globe for Best Supporting Actress, kissed Tanika on the cheek, exclaiming, 'Congratulations!'.Tanika told the New York Post newspaper: "I assumed he was congratulating me on getting one of the only interviews with him and Angelina on the red carpet." But honestly, I didn't know why Brad Pitt kissed me on the cheek. It's Brad Pitt kissing me on the cheek! Honey, I could care less why."Although the TV presenter is lighter skinned and more petite than Hudson it has been assumed that Brad's congratulatory kiss was due to a case of mistaken identity. A representative for Brad said: "He is on location and we can't reach him for a comment." Brad's high spirits could also be due to his new film 'Babel' - in which he stars alongside Cate Blanchett - winning Best Film in the drama category on Monday night.

PHOTO-MARK RUPP

The Real Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson