Before Jennifer Hudson earned her golden ticket to Hollywood on “American Idol,” she sang on a Disney cruise ship. Now Hudson plans to revisit her roots as a headliner for Carnival Cruise Lines in a new concert series called Carnival LIVE.
Things couldn’t look better for Hudson, who on the same day released the scorching new video for her single “I Can’t Describe (The Way I Feel),” featuring T.I. and produced by Pharrell Williams. But she described the feeling of returning to a cruise ship aptly as being a “full circle moment.”
“I used to work on a cruise ship, a long time ago,” said Hudson at the launch event for Carnival LIVE on January 22. “That’s what I did before I did ’American Idol.’”
The stint aboard the cruise liner was “my test,” Hudson added. “Two days later, I went in and auditioned for “American Idol.’” The rest is Hollywood history.
Hudson performed the Dreamgirls tune “One Night Only” and several other songs for about 200 people during the launch event, before Carnival’s senior vice president of guest operations Mark Tamis announced the program.
“I’m excited to be part of this unique concert series that will allow me to interact with my fans in such an intimate and memorable setting,” Hudson said.
Hudson will headline the two-day stint June 18 on Carnival Ecstasy and June 19 on Carnival Breeze, both in Cozumel, Mexico. Tickets will only be sold to individuals taking the cruise.
The Carnival LIVE series, is being touted as an exclusive opportunity to experience an on-board performance from popular musical artists. Carnival hopes to revive its image after a string of bad publicity, including three ships breaking down last year, that depressed ticket prices and revenue.
Other confirmed guests for Carnival LIVE include “American Idol” alumni Chris Daughtry’s band, Daughtry, Gavin DeGraw, Jewel, Kansas, Lady Antebellum, LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride, Olivia Newton-John, REO Speedwagon, STYX, and Trace Adkins.