Jan. 04--As "American Idol" heads into its 15th and final season, longtime judge Randy Jackson reminisced to Entertainment Weekly about his favorite show moments and the elimination of South Side singer-turned-actress Jennifer Hudson in 2004.
"Jennifer Hudson was my wow card that year, and I was gutted when she got eliminated because with her and (fellow contestants) Fantasia (Barrino) and LaToya (London), it was like we had our own version of The Supremes up there," Jackson told EW after being asked which elimination was the most painful. "And it gutted me because I really thought she could go all the way. But she's proven that she could and she has."
Hudson placed seventh in the Fox singing competition's third season. Barrino went on to win.
Hudson, 34, starred in the 2006 film "Dreamgirls," which earned her an Oscar and Golden Globe for best supporting actress. She stars on Broadway in "The Color Purple." She recently said she wants to return to "American Idol" for the finale.
Jackson left the show in 2014 after 13 seasons. "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest said in the fall that former judges are expected to return for the final season, which premieres 7 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
