Check out Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard as Winnie and Nelson Mandela in this new poster for their biopic Winnie.

Based on the book Winnie Mandela: A Life by Bezdrob, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 16 and has already opened in Mandela’s native South Africa. Darrell Roodt, the lensman behind Sarafina! and Cry, the Beloved Country, stepped behind the camera to direct the story, which follows the “Mother of the Nation” through her marriage to Nelson Mandela, played by Howard.

The film does not yet have a North American release date.

Who cares about a gold statue when you’ve got a ’22 inch waistline?! Guess who’s prouder of their weight-loss than their Oscar?

Jennifer was a “bigger girl” than most of the other sticks in Hollywood-ville when she first became famous as a finalist on American Idol in 2004. These days, however, the former DreamGirl is as noted for her “Incredible Shrinking Waistline” as she is for her powerhouse vocals. Particularly after she was hired by Weight Watchers and – boom, curves be gone!

Hudson’s speaking out about her new slim self in the September issue of Shape Magazine — and you may be surprised to hear that having a new bod feels better than winning the top gong in Hollywood — an Oscar.

“I’m prouder of my weight loss than my Oscar! I hope it has inspired people,” the 28-year-old singer and actress told the mag.

Yeah, it’s great Jennifer made a decision to eat well and get moving, but we’re kind of stuck on the fact that she thinks the way she looks is more important than an Oscar.

Priorities, anyone?

After losing 80-pounds, Jennifer Hudson reveals her hot new bod in her latest music video, “No One Gonna Love You.”

The Oscar-winning Weight Watchers spokesmodek lounges around in racy lingerie and shows off her dance moves throughout the promo. In the video, she portrays a woman with man trouble, but her real love life couldn’t be better. She has a 22-month-old son with her wrestler fiance, David Otunga.

Weight Watchers success story Jennifer Hudson is writing a memoir about her miraculous weight loss. Over the past few years, Jennifer’s gone from a size 16 to a size 6, losing 80 pounds since the birth of her son David Jr. in 2009, now she wants to tell us how she did it.

The still-untitled tome from the Oscar winner, 29, will be a memoir chronicling the unhealthy eating habits she developed during her childhood through her mission to shed the pounds and adopt a healthier way of life.

Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), will publish the book, which is due for release in Jan. 2012.

“Hudson wants to inspire anyone coping with weight issues, share some of her own best tips for losing and maintaining weight loss, fitting in exercise and keeping it fun…” publishers said in a statement Tuesday.

Jennifer’s book news comes on the heels of whispers that the former “DreamGirl” was having troubled selling the manuscript to publishers because it did not include any of the sordid details surrounding the triple homicide of her mother, brother, and nephew in Chicago three years ago.

Grammy/Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will make her first-ever appearance at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans July 1, 2, and 3, show organizers said Tuesday.

The “Where U At?” songstress will be joined by R&B icons like Mavis Staples, Chaka Khan, Boyz II Men, and the recently-reunited New Edition.

The parade of stars eviously announced as part of the lineup includes Kem, Miguel, Naughty By Nature, Doug E. Fresh, Marsha Ambrosius, formerly of Floetry, Eric Benet, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Brian Courtney Wilson have been added to the previously announced line-up, which includes Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, Jill Scott, Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, George Clinton, and Macy Gray.

For Ticket Info, Visit EssenceMusicFestival.com….

Lensman Anthony Mandle stepped behind the camera to direct the effort.

Jennifer Hudson’s new album I Remember Me drops March 22 and in the ultimate promo plug, the Oscar winner will perform her new single “Where You At?” on The Oprah Winfrey Show this Thursday, Feb. 10!

Once known as much for her pleasingly-plump frame as she is for her booming vocals, Oscar-winning R&B powerhouse Jennifer Hudson is sitting pretty at a sleek Size 4 — and she plans to keep it that way, much to the chagrin of her baby-crazed fiance.

Jennifer is already the mom to 16-month-old son David Jr. with Harvard-educated wrestling star David Otunga, 30, but the happy couple are at odds over David’s desire to add another child to their brood, a family insider recently snitched to The National Enquirer. Hudson’s dropped 80 pound since signing on as the face of Weight Watchers and is absolutely appalled that David would have the unmitigated gall to want her to get pregnant again after all of the hard work she put into ditching her Size 16 frame.

“David wants David Jr. to have a little brother or sister, and he thinks a two-year age difference would be ideal. But Jennifer has finally got the body she’s dreamed of and knows how much it took to get back and stay in shape after the birth of their son,” The Enquirer insider says. “He still brings it up from time to time and it causes arguments, but Jennifer is determined to enjoy the way she is now for a while before she has to put her life on hold again.”

Those close to the couple believe David may be feeling insecure that Jennifer, 29, is no longer the hefty Chi-Citian she was when the pair first fell in love in 2008.

“Heads turn when she walks into a room. I don’t think David is used to that. Jennifer told David she does want another child, but not now.”

On Monday, the slimmed-down former American Idol star premiered the album’s first single “Where You At,” a mid-tempo contemporary R&B written and produced by Chester the Molester R. Kelly. Additional writers and producers on the album include Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Ne-Yo, and Stargate.

Move over, Lady Gaga! Jennifer Hudson’s second album is on the way.

I Remember Me drops March 22!

The album’s first single — Where You At?” — written and produced by R. Kelly, is slated to hit radio on Monday. A 30-second snippet is available for streaming now via JenniferHudson.com.

The album title, I Remember Me, is based on a poem written by the Arista Records recording artist and former American Idol contestat and composed by Ryan Tedder. This all-star produced album features collaborators like Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, R. Kelly, Rich Harrison, Ne-Yo, and Stargate.

“I’m excited about this album because it’s almost like a renewal for me, reflected through the chapters of my life. I’ve called it ‘I Remember Me’ because of the journey I’ve been on. I’ve learned that life constantly surprises you, no matter your plans. My fans have been so loyal, I feel like they have been on this journey with me and I can’t wait for them to hear the new album,” says the sexy, slimmed-down singer.