During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, eight-time Grammy winner Usher told the audience—and Hudson—that he nearly costarred with her in Dreamgirls.
Hudson had requested the 46-year-old musician to tell the audience how they first met and according to Usher, he first viewed her audition tape for a movie he had heard she was working on, and that’s how they met.
“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 said.
“Are you talking about Dreamgirls,” Hudson exclaimed. “Wait, you were going to be in Dreamgirls?” to which the ‘Yeah’ singer replied, “Yes.”
Based on the 1981 Broadway musical, Dreamgirls starred Jennifer Holliday, Loretta Devine, and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Effie, Lorrell Robinson, and Deena Jones respectively. Hudson featured with Beyoncé and Anika Noni Rose, who played Deena and Lorrell, respectively.
The plot centers on a girl group’s ascent to popularity in the 1960s, which was assisted by a small Black record label.
Dreamgirls received eight Oscar nominations at the 79th Academy Awards. Hudson received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her depiction of Effie White in the 2006 film musical. The movie also took home the Best Achievement in Sound Mixing award in addition to Hudson’s.
Hudson was shocked and asked who Usher was supposed to play, assuring her audience, “I didn’t even know this, y’all.”
“I didn’t know you didn’t know the story,” he responded.
He went on to say that “it was a scheduled conflict that caused me to not be able to play the character,” adding that he was on tour at the time.
Although Usher did not specify which role he was to play, Playbill claimed in May 2005 that he was expected to play C.C. White, Effie’s brother. Keith Robinson eventually took up the role.
“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 on Dreamgirls, maybe one day we could do a duet or something,” Hudson proposed, and Usher quickly agreed.
Away from his could-have-been film role, Usher used the platform to give Kendrick Lamar some advice before stepping onto the stage at the Super Bowl.
He encouraged Lamar to “savor the moment.”
“My encouragement to him is to really be present. I hope that he uses the moment well. There’s a lot to be said for where hip-hop has come from. There’s a lot to be said for that young man and how he’s been an incredible benchmark for what it is to be an artist. I’m hoping that he really maximizes that moment,” he added.
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