"Spotlight" On Jennifer Hudson

Oscar Winner Releases Self-Titled Debut Album

(CBS)  Jennifer Hudson, the former "American Idol" contestant, rose to stardom in 2006 with her big-screen debut in the box office hit "Dreamgirls."

The first-time actress Hudson won an Academy Award for her supporting role in the film. This summer, she appeared in the big-screen hit "Sex and the City" and she appears in the upcoming film "The Life of Bees."

With a promising film career, Hudson's singing career appeared to be on the back burner. But not anymore.

The 27-year-old has been busy in the recording studio and today, she released her self-titled debut album.

Hudson stopped by The Early Show to sing "Spotlight," the first single released off her new CD. The single, which came out over the summer, debuted in the Top 20 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and is climbing the charts.

The actress and singer told The Early Show's Julie Chen what it was like working on her first album.

"It's been a long journey, but I've waited my whole life for this moment. It's very exciting. It was a learning process and a whole new world once again," Hudson said.

The album, "Jennifer Hudson," offers a mix of music and well-known collaborators.

"Ne-Yo wrote the first single, which is 'Spotlight,' Timbaland did the song with sassiness and personality called 'Pocketbook.' We have Robin Thicke, Harvey Mason -- so many others," she said. "Fantasia also did a collaboration with me on a song called 'I'm His only Woman.' It's a great variety, because I wanted to be able have something for everyone on my album."

Fantasia Barrino won the third season of "American Idol." Hudson placed seventh that season, but Chen reminded her that she went home with an Oscar.

When Hudson looks back on her "Idol" experience, what memories does she have?

"It was an overall great experience. It was a learning process," she said. "I feel like if I didn't go through that, I might not be able to deal with the industry now."

To watch Hudson's performance, click the window below.

[mayaderen-2009]

Congrats to Jennifer! She proves you don''t need a ''title'' to be a winner!