Jennifer Hudson had a recording contract before she was on American Idol.
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Jennifer Hudson Facts: 15 Things You Didn't Know

9. Jennifer Hudson had a recording contract before she was on American Idol.
Everyone knows J-Hud came seventh (robbed, we know) in American Idol, but it's little-known that she was in fact signed with independent label Righteous Records before the show. After a year of intense training, Jennifer was released from the contract so she could appear on American Idol in 2004, but she credits the company's president so teaching her teaching and preparing her.