Jennifer Hudson Says She's 'Still Processing' EGOT Status: 'It Came as a Surprise'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jennifer Hudsonhas earned a few different nicknames throughout her career, but her latest, “17,” is one she proudly gave to herself.As J. Hud explained in a ThursdayCBS Morningsinterview preview with co-host,Gayle King, her new nickname represents the artist being only the 17th person to earn EGOT status, as an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar andTony Awardwinner. She earned the rare title after the musicalA Strange Loop, on which she worked as a producer,won a Tony in June.“Now I have a charm that says ‘17,'” Hudson told King during a preview of her Friday interview. “So when you see 17, that represents the 17th EGOT.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.During the discussion, Hudson opened up about the moment she walked on stage at the Tony Awards, only to hear the crowd remind her of the extra importance of the victory.“It came as a surprise,” Hudson said. “I did not fully see it coming. I went there to celebrate the cast for getting 11 nominations, and I don’t feel like I’ve been present. And then when they said, ‘Strange Loop, best musical,’ I was cheering for them. And once we get on the stage, everybody started chanting, ‘EGOT, EGOT,’ and I was like, ‘Wait what?'“Gayle King and Jennifer Hudson.Courtesy CBS MorningsHer newfound EGOT status, Hudson explained, is something she’s “still processing” three months after the win. But becoming the youngest woman to earn the EGOT title is not all that’s on her mind.CBS Mornings’ interview with theAmerican Idolalum also touches on her upcoming daytime talk show,The Jennifer Hudson Show, which will first air on her Sept. 12 birthday and offer a sneak peek to fans of the multi-hyphenate.Hudsonposed with her impressive assortment of awards in a new photoand joked on Twitter Wednesday that while her 41st birthday is fast approaching, she’ll “always be 17.” She first posed with her trophies in August when her Tony finally arrived, but it doesn’t hurt to let fans know she’s taking care of them.To date, Hudson has won two Grammys for her self-titled debut in 2009 andThe Color Purplesoundtrack in 2017, an Academy Award for 2007’sDreamgirls, this year’s Tony Award, and a Golden Globe in 2007 forDreamgirls.The Jennifer Hudson Showwill air five days a week on FOX television stations, with her first guest being herold friend Simon Cowell. Her interview with King airs in full Friday on CBS.

Jennifer Hudsonhas earned a few different nicknames throughout her career, but her latest, “17,” is one she proudly gave to herself.

As J. Hud explained in a ThursdayCBS Morningsinterview preview with co-host,Gayle King, her new nickname represents the artist being only the 17th person to earn EGOT status, as an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar andTony Awardwinner. She earned the rare title after the musicalA Strange Loop, on which she worked as a producer,won a Tony in June.

“Now I have a charm that says ‘17,'” Hudson told King during a preview of her Friday interview. “So when you see 17, that represents the 17th EGOT.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

During the discussion, Hudson opened up about the moment she walked on stage at the Tony Awards, only to hear the crowd remind her of the extra importance of the victory.

“It came as a surprise,” Hudson said. “I did not fully see it coming. I went there to celebrate the cast for getting 11 nominations, and I don’t feel like I’ve been present. And then when they said, ‘Strange Loop, best musical,’ I was cheering for them. And once we get on the stage, everybody started chanting, ‘EGOT, EGOT,’ and I was like, ‘Wait what?'”

Gayle King and Jennifer Hudson.Courtesy CBS Mornings

Her newfound EGOT status, Hudson explained, is something she’s “still processing” three months after the win. But becoming the youngest woman to earn the EGOT title is not all that’s on her mind.

CBS Mornings’ interview with theAmerican Idolalum also touches on her upcoming daytime talk show,The Jennifer Hudson Show, which will first air on her Sept. 12 birthday and offer a sneak peek to fans of the multi-hyphenate.

Hudsonposed with her impressive assortment of awards in a new photoand joked on Twitter Wednesday that while her 41st birthday is fast approaching, she’ll “always be 17.” She first posed with her trophies in August when her Tony finally arrived, but it doesn’t hurt to let fans know she’s taking care of them.

To date, Hudson has won two Grammys for her self-titled debut in 2009 andThe Color Purplesoundtrack in 2017, an Academy Award for 2007’sDreamgirls, this year’s Tony Award, and a Golden Globe in 2007 forDreamgirls.

The Jennifer Hudson Showwill air five days a week on FOX television stations, with her first guest being herold friend Simon Cowell. Her interview with King airs in full Friday on CBS.

source: people.com