Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson is back-tracking on disparaging Idol statements that she made to Essence Magazine.

The famed American Idol cast-off is featured on the cover of the March 2007 issue of the mag. J. Hud is quoted as calling the FOX talent series “abusive” and “brainwashing.”

Well, Jenn is now saying that she wasn’t speaking about herself per se, in fact, she what the Dreamgirls star was referring to was the competition’s other contestants and how easily egomanatics can be cut down by the sharp words of Randy, Simon, and Paula.

Celeb snitchs believe Jennifer’s retraction has a lot to do with the clauses included in the lifetime contract that all Idol contestants sign upon entering the competition. Industry insiders claim that fallen Idol hopefuls caught making disparaging remarks about the show can be sued up to the tune of $80 million.

No wonder Corey Clark couldn’t get anyone to confirm his rolls in the hay with P.A.