From singer turned actress to wife and mother, Jennifer Hudson is no stranger to the spotlight  and continues to shine in the September issue of  Self.

Sporting her svelte figure on the cover, Hudson revealed losing weight means more to her than the Academy Award she won in 2007 for ‘Dreamgirls.’

Since she began promoting Weight Watchers, the public has become well aware of  Hudson’s weight loss as she shed 80 pounds, going from a size 16 to a size 6. Losing the weight has become a proud moment for Hudson. “I’m prouder of my weight loss than my Oscar,” she exclaimed.

Before hitting the big screen and the stage in 2004 on ‘American Idol,’ Hudson wasn’t aware of her weight. “I didn’t even know I was considered plus-sized until I came to Hollywood,” she said. “I thought I was the perfect size!”

Interviewers would question her weight and how she felt about being a plus-sized star. “In the neighborhood I’m from in Chicago, a 16 is normal,” Hudson said. “But in Hollywood, everyone looks exactly the same, so I stood out.”

After making it in showbiz, she soon became pregnant with son David, now 2, which changed her perspective about her weight. She decided to take action and lose weight through portion control and exercise. “I thought, hold on — why doesn’t anybody know I’m pregnant?” prompting her to lose weight. “And I wanted to set a good example for my son.”

With her amazing body and singing voice, Hudson will continue to turn heads. She can be seen next playing Nelson Mandela’s wife in the film ‘Winnie.’ Also, be sure to pick up ‘Self,’ on stands today.

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