UsherandJennifer Hudsonwere almost onscreen siblings!On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the 8-time Grammy winner appeared onThe Jennifer Hudson Showand revealed to the audience — and Hudson — that he almost starred alongside her inDreamgirls.During his stop on the show, Hudson, 43, asked Usher, 46, to share with viewers how they first met. TheMy Waysinger said their meeting began when he first saw her audition tape for a film he had heard she was preparing for.“You didn’t know that I was supposed to be a part of that movie, this movie you went on to win a major, major award for," Usher interrupted himself, referring to Hudson’sAcademy Awardfor Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Effie White in the 2006 movie musical.“Are you talking aboutDreamgirls,” Hudson exclaimed. “Wait, you were going to be inDreamgirls?”Usher coyly replied, “Yes.”A shocked Hudson asked who he was supposed to portray, telling her audience, “I didn’t even know this, y’all."“I didn’t know you didn’t know the story,” he responded.Usher and Jennifer Hudson on February 4, 2025 in Burbank, California.The Jennifer Hudson ShowHe then explained that he was in the middle of a tour at the time, and “it was a scheduled conflict that caused me to not be able to play the character.“Although Usher did not explicitly reveal which role he was set to play,Playbillreported in May 2005 that he was set to portray C.C. White, the brother of Hudson’s Effie. Ultimately, the role went to Keith Robinson.“I was so excited for what was getting ready to happen. [I] tried my hardest to kind of work around it, but, unfortunately, schedule just didn’t permit,” Usher said. “I would have been a part of the history with you.”He continued: “But I am a part of the history with you because we all celebrate you for such an encouraging talent for our young women out here.”“Well, since we didn’t get to work together onDreamgirls,maybe one day we could do a duet or something,” she proposed, and Usher quickly agreed.Beyonce Knowles, Anika Noni Rose, Keith Robinson, Jennifer Hudson in “Dreamgirls”.DreamWorks/ EverettNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Dreamgirlsis based on the 1981 Broadway musical, which originated withLoretta Devine,Sheryl Lee RalphandJennifer Holliday, who played Lorrell Robinson, Deena Jones, and Effie, respectively. Hudson starred alongsideBeyoncéandAnika Noni Rose, who portrayed Deena and Lorrell, respectively.The story is focused on a girl group’s rise to fame during the 1960s with the help of a small Black record label. The story is loosely based onDiana RossandThe Supremes.Dreamgirlswas nominated for eight Oscars at the 79th Academy Awards. Along with Hudson’s win, the film also won for Best Achievement in Sound Mixing. The film is currently streaming on Paramount+.
UsherandJennifer Hudsonwere almost onscreen siblings!
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the 8-time Grammy winner appeared onThe Jennifer Hudson Showand revealed to the audience — and Hudson — that he almost starred alongside her inDreamgirls.
During his stop on the show, Hudson, 43, asked Usher, 46, to share with viewers how they first met. TheMy Waysinger said their meeting began when he first saw her audition tape for a film he had heard she was preparing for.
“You didn’t know that I was supposed to be a part of that movie, this movie you went on to win a major, major award for,” Usher interrupted himself, referring to Hudson’sAcademy Awardfor Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Effie White in the 2006 movie musical.
“Are you talking aboutDreamgirls,” Hudson exclaimed. “Wait, you were going to be inDreamgirls?”
Usher coyly replied, “Yes.”
A shocked Hudson asked who he was supposed to portray, telling her audience, “I didn’t even know this, y’all.”
“I didn’t know you didn’t know the story,” he responded.
Usher and Jennifer Hudson on February 4, 2025 in Burbank, California.The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Jennifer Hudson Show
He then explained that he was in the middle of a tour at the time, and “it was a scheduled conflict that caused me to not be able to play the character.”
Although Usher did not explicitly reveal which role he was set to play,Playbillreported in May 2005 that he was set to portray C.C. White, the brother of Hudson’s Effie. Ultimately, the role went to Keith Robinson.
“I was so excited for what was getting ready to happen. [I] tried my hardest to kind of work around it, but, unfortunately, schedule just didn’t permit,” Usher said. “I would have been a part of the history with you.”
He continued: “But I am a part of the history with you because we all celebrate you for such an encouraging talent for our young women out here.”
“Well, since we didn’t get to work together onDreamgirls,maybe one day we could do a duet or something,” she proposed, and Usher quickly agreed.
Beyonce Knowles, Anika Noni Rose, Keith Robinson, Jennifer Hudson in “Dreamgirls”.DreamWorks/ Everett
DreamWorks/ Everett
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Dreamgirlsis based on the 1981 Broadway musical, which originated withLoretta Devine,Sheryl Lee RalphandJennifer Holliday, who played Lorrell Robinson, Deena Jones, and Effie, respectively. Hudson starred alongsideBeyoncéandAnika Noni Rose, who portrayed Deena and Lorrell, respectively.
The story is focused on a girl group’s rise to fame during the 1960s with the help of a small Black record label. The story is loosely based onDiana RossandThe Supremes.
Dreamgirlswas nominated for eight Oscars at the 79th Academy Awards. Along with Hudson’s win, the film also won for Best Achievement in Sound Mixing. The film is currently streaming on Paramount+.
source: people.com
