She's back! Jennifer Hudson still thrills on the American Idol stage seven years on (and 80lbs lighter)  

It was the show that launched a stellar career, an Oscar win and millions of dollars.
And last night Jennifer Hudson was back on the American Idol stage, once again singing her heart out.
The 29-year-old made a guest appearance on this week's elimination night to give a spectacular performance of her new song, Where Are You At?

What a difference: Taking to the stage on last night's American Idol, Jennifer Hudson proved she had come a long way since her days as a contestant  in 2004.

Effortlessly gracing the stage, it was clear that she had come along way since she was a mere wild card contestant on the show in 2004.

Confident and poised she hit all the right notes and pitches of the ballad with ease.
And with her musical prowess she received a standing ovation from all the remaining Idol contestants, who excitedly cheered her on. 
Jennifer didn't just show off her musical talents either.

All woman: The Oscar winner flaunted her incredible new svelte figure in a sexy black cutaway dress embellished with sequins on the shoulders

The Oscar-winner flaunted her incredible new svelte figure in a sexy black cutaway dress embellished with sequins on the shoulders.
She complimented the look with a pair of gold strappy stilettos and gold jewellery. 
Her appearance on the show came just after she made the admission that she didn't have time to watch Idol.
She admitted that she hadn't seen one episode of the talent show, no less knew who any of the contestants were.
Arriving at LAX on a flight from New York City last night, she told TMZ, 'I haven't been able to watch it.'

Applause: With her musical prowess Jennifer received a standing ovation from all of the remaining contestants, who excitedly cheered her on

Jennifer's journey from Idol to stardom in an incredible one. 
The singer was just a wild card entry when she appeared on the hit show back in 2004.
She was later voted off by sharp tongued judge Simon Cowell who told her: "You're out of your depth in this competition."
Hudson later admitted: "I cried all the next day. It definitely hurt."
Despite the knock back, Hudson was determined to follow her dreams.
She embarked on her music dreams  with no acting experience but auditioned for Dreamgirls, a film inspired by the story of Sixties girl group The Supremes.
She beat 783 other hopefuls to the role - including Fantasia Barrino, the American Idol winner.

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Casual beauty: Jennifer arrived at the Idol studios in far more dressed down attire

The role later earned her several awards including a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, Bafta and Critics Choice and of course the most coveted; an Oscar.
In the past seven years, Jennifer look has morphed.
Recently she embarked on a  Weight Watchers regime and has been hitting the gym five times a week.

Special guest: Jennifer brought her son David Jr. on American talk show The View this week

She has since dropped from a U.S. size 16 to a size 6, losing a staggering 80 pounds.
Jennifer spoke of her dramatic weight loss this week on American talk show The View
As before and after shots were shown on the screen behind her, the Dreamgirls star said that her son David Jr. does not recognise her in old pictures which show her former curvier figure.
'Sometime he doesn't recognise me before, because this is the only mommy he has known,' she said.
Jennifer is currently promoting her new album, I Remember Me.
The album is her first studio effort since the tragic murders of her 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donnerson, her 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson and seven-year-old nephew Justin King.
Police arrested William Balfour, 27, the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia, in connection with the killings, and he was charged with three counts of first degree murder and is currently awaiting trial.
Hudson, gave birth to David Daniel - named after his father, Jennifer's fiancé David Otunga, a lawyer-turned-WWE wrestler - in August last year.
She said inspired to get serious about her health after having her baby because her and her fiancé wanted to be good role models for their son by exercising and eat right.
'I wanted to give the example from the beginning - oh, Mommy works out, Mommy eats right', she shared.
Jennifer revealed that her favourite exercise is running on the treadmill for about 30 minutes while listening to music.
'When I go to work out, I have to have fun and enjoy it so I want to get up and do it again tomorrow'.