Jennifer Hudson returns to American Idol as guest judge for Disney Night

• Jennifer Hudson returns to American Idol as a guest judge for Disney Night.
• The EGOT winner will mentor the Top 9 finalists for the first time.
• Hudson is preparing for a 2026 Broadway revival of the musical Dreamgirls.

EGOT winner and former contestant Jennifer Hudson is set to make a triumphant return to the American Idol stage.

On 20 April, the superstar will appear as a guest judge and mentor for the competition's highly anticipated "Disney Night".

The announcement was made during tonight's broadcast, confirming that the 2004 finalist will join regular judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood to guide the remaining Top 9 finalists as they compete for a place in the Top 7.

This appearance marks Hudson’s first return to the programme in over a decade. While she last performed on the show alongside Iggy Azalea in 2015, this occasion represents her inaugural role as a mentor.

She is tasked with helping the contestants navigate iconic Disney tracks for a live audience and the public vote.

Having famously finished seventh during the show's third season, Hudson’s journey from a reality hopeful to one of only 22 EGOT recipients provides unique inspiration for the current crop of talent.

Fans can watch the two-hour special live on ABC and Disney+. Beyond her television commitments, Hudson remains a powerhouse in the industry; her self-titled talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, was recently renewed for a fourth season.

Following her recent holiday album, The Gift of Love, she is also preparing for a summer concert tour with Josh Groban.

Looking further ahead, she will join the production team for the 2026 Broadway revival of Dreamgirls, two decades after her Oscar-winning performance in the film adaptation.