Vault: Jennifer Hudson Joins The Show

Summary

The Bert Show: Vault – Jennifer Hudson Joins The Show

Date: December 16, 2025
Host: The Bert Show Cast (Bert, Jen Hobby, Melissa Carter, Jeff, et al.)
Guest: Jennifer Hudson
Theme: The Bert Show sits down with Jennifer Hudson after her elimination from American Idol, discussing her experience, reactions to the results, dynamics with fellow contestants, the controversial voting process, and her future plans.

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show features an exclusive, heartfelt interview with Jennifer Hudson, shortly after her surprise elimination from American Idol. The hosts explore Hudson’s attitude following her exit, rumors about contestant relationships, controversial voting issues, and her plans for the future, all with The Bert Show’s trademark warmth and humor.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jennifer Hudson’s Reaction to Elimination

• Maintaining Positivity Despite Shock:

  • Despite widespread belief that Jennifer was "robbed," she emphasizes gratitude for the experience and opportunity.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 03:14):

      "You know what, I can't complain because there's so many thousands, probably millions of people by now who wish that they were in the position to, to be put in the bottom three, to be eliminated. Eliminated as seventh or sixth."

• The Hosts’ Reactions:

  • The Bert Show team candidly shares their own disappointment and shock at Jennifer's departure, not shying away from calling it unfair.
    • Quote (Bert, 02:48):

      "All right, let's get to what's important here. You are friggin’ robbed. Yeah."

2. On-Stage & Backstage Dynamics

• Vibes Among Contestants:

  • Jennifer dispels rumors of bad blood, especially with Latoya, asserting genuine respect among the women contestants.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 05:20):

      "No. Why would somebody say that? ... My sister said, girls will be girls, but we got along. And ... we always appreciated each other's differences..."

• Observations on John Stevens:

  • Discussion of why certain contestants remain; Jennifer describes John Stevens as grateful and humble, always surprised to be safe.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 04:25):

      "He is so grateful every step of the way that he’s still there ... Every week he says it should have been me. It’s gonna be me, you know, and you shouldn’t feel that way."

3. Controversial Voting and System Flaws

• Impact of Hometown Power Outage:

  • The hosts bring up the 15,000 Chicago homes affected by a power outage, possibly affecting Jennifer’s voting tally.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 06:02):

      "Oh, definitely. I mean, a lot of phones, cell phones and everything were out, and people ... couldn’t watch, obviously. ... If 15,000 people could have picked up the phone and voted 200 times or two hours straight, oh, I think it would have made a world of difference."

• Critique of Voting Process:

  • Jennifer floats the idea of limiting voting to one vote per person to make it fairer.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 06:25):

      "I think people should be only allowed to vote once, because ... You did your part versus having to vote the whole two hours ... Who want to sit up and vote other than your family two hours straight?"

4. American Idol Experience & Favorites

• Watching Seasons 1 & 2:

  • Jennifer shares she was a fan of American Idol from the very beginning, despite touring commitments back then.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 06:55):

      "Season one, all the way through season two, I tried my hardest, but I was on a cross [tour]. So I really only got to see the very beginning and the very end, but I was a fan all the way through."

• Who Would She Have Chosen in Season 1?

  • Initially a Justin fan, but switched allegiance to Kelly Clarkson after seeing her talent.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 07:13):

      "At first, I was a big Justin fan until Kelly opened that mouth and started blowing it away... I have to vote for the true talent."

5. Life After Idol

• Moving Out of the Idol House:

  • Jennifer confirms that eliminated contestants leave the house the next morning.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 07:42):

      "No, I left the house. You leave the house the next morning."

• Voting for Herself:

  • Admits to sometimes voting for herself—with exasperation at the process.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 07:57):

      "Yes. And it used to get on my nerves, too. Like, oh, my God, do I have to hold the mic in one hand and the cell phone in the other? ... I’m glad that’s over."

• Who Would She Vote for Now?

  • Expresses strong fandom for George Huff, calling him her pick for American Idol.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 08:16):

      "I am. I’m sorry, but I’m the biggest George Huff fan in the world ... he would be my American Idol all the way."

• Future Plans:

  • Hopes to record soon or potentially star as Jennifer Holliday in "Dreamgirls" on Broadway or in the movie adaptation.
    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 09:47):

      "I will hopefully first record and be Jennifer Holiday either on Broadway or in Dreamgirls in the movie."

6. Fun & Personal Moments

• Style Compliments:
  • The hosts and Jennifer joke about loving her signature curls.
    • Quote (Bert, 10:16):

      "I love the curls."

    • Quote (Jennifer Hudson, 10:17):

      "I do too."

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On being ‘robbed’:

  "You are friggin robbed." (Bert, 02:48)
  "I can't complain because there's so many thousands ... who wish that they were in the position ... to be eliminated as seventh or sixth." (Jennifer Hudson, 03:14)

• On contestant relationships:

  "No. Why would somebody say that? ... we always appreciated each other's differences..." (Jennifer Hudson, 05:20)

• On the voting process:

  "I think people should be only allowed to vote once ... Who want to sit up and vote other than your family two hours straight?" (Jennifer Hudson, 06:25)

• On future plans:

  "I will hopefully first record and be Jennifer Holiday either on Broadway or in Dreamgirls in the movie." (Jennifer Hudson, 09:47)

• On supporting George Huff:

  "I'm sorry, but I'm the biggest George Huff fan in the world ..." (Jennifer Hudson, 08:16)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Jennifer Hudson Joins Interview: 02:25
• Discussion of Elimination Feelings: 02:48–03:14
• John Stevens Discussion: 03:59–04:43
• Rumors & Relationships: 05:12–05:32
• Voting/Power Outage in Chicago: 05:32–06:18
• Voting Reform Ideas: 06:18–06:51
• Idol Watch History/Favorites: 06:51–07:33
• Life Post-Idol: 07:42–08:08
• George Huff Fandom: 08:16–08:42
• Future Aspirations: 09:35–09:58
• Wrap-Up and Style Fun: 10:12–10:23

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Overall Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is lively, warm, and honest, balancing The Bert Show’s enthusiasm and realness with Jennifer Hudson’s gracious, down-to-earth personality and resilience. Jennifer consistently expresses appreciation and positivity while reflecting thoughtfully on competition disappointments, the challenges of public voting, and the camaraderie among contestants. The episode is packed with moments of humor, candor, and inspiration—making for an engaging listen, with or without context about American Idol.

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Transcript

[A]

Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line. But first. There, the last one. Enjoy a coca cola for a pause that refreshes. Guys, thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree. Zoe, this thing weighs a ton. Drewski, lift with your legs, man. Santa. Santa, did you get my letter? He's talking to you britches. I'm not. Of course he did. Right, Santa, you know my elf Drew ski here. He handles the nice list. And elf, I'm six three. What everyone wants is iPhone 17 and at T mobile. You can get it on them. That center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies. Right, Mrs. Claus? I'm Mrs. Claus's much younger sister. And at with T mobile, there's no trade in needed when you switch. So you can keep your old phone or give it as a gift. And the best part, you can make the switch to T mobile from your phone in just 15 minutes. Guys, my side of the tree is slipping. Kimber, the holidays are better. At T Mobile, switch in just 15 minutes and get iPhone 17 on us with no trade in needed. And now T mobile is available in US cellular stores with three full monthly bill credits for well qualified customers plus tax and $35 vice connection charge, credit and balance due to if you pay off earlier. Cancel Finance Agreement. 256Gigs. $830 eligible board in a new line. $100 plus a month plan with auto pay plus taxes, fees required. Check out 15 minutes or less per line. Visit T mob the bird show. So yesterday after the show, we got to sit down, talk to Jennifer Hudson, and I think we all were really curious about what her attitude was gonna be. Yeah. Because I think we, like the rest of the country, were just shocked and disappointed at the fact that she's no longer in the competition. We couldn't get. I. I couldn't get like, I know she must feel like she got robbed, but I don't feel like we could get that out. She can't say that. You gotta wait until she's done with the tour, you know, because they. They even. They announced it last night on American Idol that the tour. I think the tour dates are going up in the next week or two on idle on fox dot com. Okay. Idols on fox. So she does have to kind of be a little hush hush right now. She's still. She's still being employed by them, I guess. Yeah. And she can't rip on a guy that she's gonna have to be standing on stage with and traveling on a tour bus with for you know three months. Sure. Here's Jennifer Hudson on all the hits. Q100. Hello. Hey, good morning.

[B]

Good morning.

[A]

How are you?

[B]

I'm good, and you?

[A]

Good. Jennifer, let me introduce you to everybody. This is Jen Hobby. Hey, Jennifer. One of your biggest fans.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Melissa Carter. Hi Jennifer. Hi Jeff$ hello.

[B]

Hey Jeff.

[A]

You know we go way back, like three minutes or so. Oh yeah, And I'm Bert.

[B]

All right. Hey Bert, how you doing?

[A]

Hey, doing really, really, really well.

[B]

Oh, thanks.

[A]

All right, let's get to what's important here. You are friggin robbed. Yeah.

[B]

Aw, come on.

[A]

You were robbed. Say it. I was robbed.

[B]

Well, I feel like they bring me my stuff back I have to be around because this is just beautiful right now.

[A]

Is it because you've had this kind of attitude that you know what, every step of the way I'm gonna appreciate, but somewhere down deep you must kind of feel like, I know there are people still on that stage that I'm better than.

[B]

You know what, I can't complain because there's so many thousands, probably millions of people by now who wish that they were in the position to, to be put in the bottom three, to be eliminated. Eliminated as seventh or sixth.

[A]

You know, that's a totally positive outlook. But I still gotta say, it's crap. I mean, I, you know, I mean, there's some talented singers in the competition still. You're right. We're huge fans here in Atlanta for Diana Degarmo because she's from here.

[B]

Oh, I love Diana too. She's one of my buddies.

[A]

Yeah, but the crooner, I mean he, I mean, he shouldn't be there still. Jennifer, let's forget that we're even on the radio for a second. I mean, you've got to believe you are more talented than John Stevens. Come on now.

[B]

I mean, like I said, it's people who love John Stevens and I love him and I think the boy can sing, you know.

[A]

Now let me ask you this because we get to see this on TV every week when we watch the show. This guy looks when if he's in the bottom three and he is saved, he looks shocked. If he's not in the bottom three, he, he looks shocked. Like, does he spend a good amount of his time being shocked that he's where he is?

[B]

You know what? If y' all know nothing else about John Stevens, know this. He is so grateful every step of the way that he's still there as he should be. He's not taking it lightly at all. Every week he says it should have been me. It's gonna be me, you know, and you shouldn't feel that way.

[A]

You know, he's not the only one that feels that way. He's not the only one that feels that way. Hey, stop talking to Jennifer Hudson from american. All right, Jennifer. Okay. You've been sweet and you're kind. Let me ask you this way, okay? When you were divided in the groups and you saw John Stevens in one group and you were standing in the other, you knew you were in the top, top group, right?

[B]

You know what? It's always some relief when you see yourself standing to people like latoya, Fantasia, or George. I mean, everybody loves George, you know, but, like, they're here, so I know I'm fine.

[A]

You know, we're hearing some rumors that there might have been some bad blood between, like, you and latoya. Any of that true?

[B]

No. Why would somebody say that? I mean, we all appreciate it. Like, like, my sister said, girls will be girls, but we got along. And, like, like I said, we always appreciated each other's differences and stuff like that.

[A]

So Jennifer Hudson from American idol on the Burt show on all the hits. Q100. Hey, Jennifer, we also heard that in your hometown of Chicago on the night that everybody voted, There were about 15,000 homes without power that night who could not watch the show and therefore didn't know the numbers to call and vote for you. And they also said when you were in that bottom three that it was the closest votes between you and Fantasia that had ever been, you know, in the bottom three in American Idol. Do you think those 15,000 homes could have made a difference?

[B]

Oh, definitely. I mean, a lot of phones, cell phones and everything were out, and people. People couldn't watch, obviously. And so, of course, if 15,000 people could have picked up the phone and voted 200 times or two hours straight, oh, I think it would have made a world of difference.

[A]

Do you think now because of what happened to you, that maybe American idol should take a look at the way the voting process is going down?

[B]

Well, I think overall, if anything, I think people should be only allowed to vote once, because I think people would want to vote easily. You know, they wouldn't mind, like, picking the phone. If you say just one vote, okay, you pick up the phone and vote, and you're done. You did your part versus having to vote the whole two hours. You know, that's just. Come on. Who want to sit up and vote other than your family two hours straight or some little kids, you know?

[A]

Hey, Jennifer, did you watch American Idol 1 and 2. Were you a fan before you got on the show?

[B]

Well, actually, season one, all the way through season two, I tried my hardest, but I was on a cross. So I really only got to see the very beginning and the very end, but I was a fan all the way through.

[A]

And if you were to predict the winner of season one while it was going on, who would you have predicted won the whole thing?

[B]

Well, at first, I was a big Justin fan until Kelly opened that mouth and started blowing it away. And I'm like, I have to vote for the true talent. I'm a firm believer of voting for true talent. I don't care what you look like, what's. No, I'm listening to the voice. And so I had to go with Kelly all the way. Tamara was good, too, though.

[A]

Tamara's another Atlanta girl. Now that you're out, do you still, like. I know you do a big press tour and all that fun stuff now, but do you still live in the house?

[B]

No. No, I left the house. You leave the house the next morning.

[A]

So you can vote now for American Idol.

[B]

Yeah. I could have voted before.

[A]

Can you vote from the house?

[B]

Well, we all have cell phones, so.

[A]

You could vote for yourself.

[B]

Mm.

[A]

Did you ever do that?

[B]

Yes. And it used to get on my nerves, too. Like, oh, my God, do I have to hold the mic in one hand and the cell phone in the other? God, do I have to do everything? You know, so I'm glad that's over.

[A]

We're talking to Jennifer Hudson from American Idol on the Birch show on all the hits. Q100. So who would you cast a vote for if you're gonna vote tonight?

[B]

Do you have to ask John Stevens? All right, slow down. I am. I'm sorry, but I'm the biggest George Huff fan in the world, and I was so grateful to be able to get to know him because if I wasn't on the show and I saw George Hough he is, and he would be my American idol all the way.

[A]

So you said, based on what you said before, that you would vote on talent and voice alone.

[B]

Voice and talent alone. And he has. All of them have the talent. I mean, if I'm going on talent, this will be the hardest decision to make with. I mean, because everybody on this stage is so talented.

[A]

Well, we'll check it out tonight. I mean, you pick up the USA Today this morning, and it says that if John Stevens win this thing, pretty much American Idol has lost all credibility whatsoever. So we'll see if he makes it through to the next round.

[B]

Well, I think he'll be there for a while.

[A]

You do?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Really? Why?

[B]

I really do. I don't know. I think he has great potential.

[A]

Do you think that some of those votes from John Peter Lewis then shifted to John Stevens?

[B]

Definitely all the way. I feel like, I think that's another thing that could have happened where as like John Peter Lewis votes went to John Stevens, Camille votes went to Jasmine and you know, like that and maybe even John Peter Lewis votes was tied in between John Stevens and Diana.

[A]

Could be. Hey, now that you're doing the press tours and stuff and once American Idol's over, what is the first project you would predict that you would undertake?

[B]

I will hopefully first record and be Jennifer Holiday either on Broadway or in Dreamgirls in the movie.

[A]

I know it's not going to be on some cruise ship. I know that you're staying off any kind of boat. Hey, Jennifer Hudson on with the Birch show. Hey Jennifer, congratulations. I mean for making it as far as you did and thanks a lot for joining us.

[B]

Thank you for having me.

[A]

Hey Jennifer, one more thing. I love the curls.

[B]

I do too.

[A]

Stick with the curls from the beginning, girl. Those are so cute.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

All right, Jennifer, see ya.

[B]

All right. Thank you.

[A]

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