Academy- and Grammy-award winning American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson is slated to take Broadway as she agreed to portray the role of Shrug Avery in the iconic The Color Purple.

Hudson, who placed seventh on the third season of American Idol, follows the footsteps of fellow season three alums Fantasia Barrino and LaToya London, who also appeared on the stage production of The Color Purple.

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The play is adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which she authored in 1982.

The Color Purple premiered in 2005 and was shown on stage until 2008. In 2008, Fantasia Barrino, Season 3 American Idol champ, debuted as she played the role of Celie. LaToya London, who placed fourth on season 3, played Nettie during the show's national tour in 2007, which also saw Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams play the role of Shug.

The Color Purple's is set in rural Georgia in the 1930s and centers on the lives of Celie, an abused housewife, and her plight to reunite with her sister Nettie. Hudson's character as Avery will be featured as the hot blues singer who was taken as Celie's husband's mistress. Later on, Avery fell into a romantic relationship with Celie.

Oprah Winfrey, who grabbed an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of the strong-willed woman, is co-producing the stage play. 

TagsJennifer Hudson, jennifer hudson broadway debut, American Idol