Have to give all the beautiful black women who performed this a huge round of applause. Each of them brought something to each performance and that's the way it's supposed to be.
Another spectacular performance by Jennifer Hudson! She turned an 11 o clock number to a show stopper. I hope she's enjoying playing Shug Avery in the new Broadway revival of The Color Purple.
I don't know how I missed this. But it brought me to tears. Jennifer Hudson is a class act and I continue to be impressed. Wow! And hey, if it's good enough for Oprah....well done J Hud!!
When Fantasia sings this she doesn't sing just for herself alone. It feels like she's telling the audience "You know what, no matter what you've been through, it's okay. You're here now and you can move one to do greater things." That's what touched me so much about Fantasia's version. It just speaks to me.
Ppl can never watch a great performance without comparing it to someone's else performance & adding negativity . .. They both did a wonderful job delivering the song in their own emotional way ..
Why were you surprised? You think the role wld be too strong for a person of her voice? I would think she would not have time for a role like Celie's as she would not be able to do other work like hairspray live and preparing for the Voice UK stint :)
I love this master class version of this song by Jhud. I did not expect her to be emote like the other ladies who are specifically connected the play.(They did justice to their version.) In this case there is no need for that...listened to this song as a separate entity. Jennifer has the pipes and she sang excellently.
There is no comparing Jennifer and Fantasia... Its like comparing Whitney and Patti ... There is no comparison one of them has a lot of control to their voice and the others is VERY GOSPEL... Jennifer and Fantasia could never be bulked together...Jennifer is classic and timeless whereas Fantasia is full of soul and honest...
Sean Yates Both Jennifer and Fantasia sing with soul and honesty because they bring their music from a very personal place. Both have a solid church background; Jennifer probably from a Baptist church and Fantasia more sanctified. The difference is that Jennifer has a more powerful controlled voice and has a more elegant stage presence. On the other hand, Fantasia sings like she probably did in church - very raw and letting it all hang out and testifies every time she's on stage. Fantasia puts on a visual show and can sing. But Jennifer -- that's a singer.
***** hey boo don't argue with these idiots they clearly don't have an ear for real music are real talent they're delusional if u ask me Jennifer Hudson many awards and achievements speaks for themselves lol
***** I most certainly have an ear for music. I have been a fan of both these artists since their IDOL debut on Season 3. They are both amazing artists but as i said THEY CANNOT be compared. They are in completely different lanes. End of story
This song is amazing. J HUD did an amazing job doing her rendiction of this song! Waiting to see her tribute to Aretha Franklin at the Honors Award on BET.
Why do we feel the need to compare both artists? They have different techniques and style, but both of them bought soul to the song, sang their hearts out & owned it
People should stop comparing the artists. They each sing it a different way to show emotion. If they were all equally the same, there would be no difference between performances. Also, you go Jennifer. Keep on slayin
I do Love JHud's cover of this song, but I just listened again to Fantasia and got goosebumps. There's just something about how she pours her soul into a lyric... Anointed.
wainblatrobert I saw the original Celie (LaChanze). I'm sure no one will ever top her. Everyone has their favorites, I guess. Fantasia really put her heart and soul into it.
Look. I've performed this song before, so I know how hard it is, and how hard it is to do it without crying. I don't know if I've heard Fantasia do it, but Jennifer made it her own and tore the thing UP. And of course, she had to do an edited version of it for the event. She makes me insanely jealous, the power and skill and the time she took to convey the emotion behind the words. You can't fault her, and you can't compare her. I just lost my mind when I heard this, and that's all that matters in the end.
Jennifer is a classy singer that hold the traditional value African American held in the music Industry. I see that we are still holding on to what made us famous throughout the world. Thank you Jennifer you make us proud.
idk how jhud did it.. if felt every lyric she sang i say idk how cuz very recently before this her mom and her sister were murdered so just the first verse with the word sister broke me cuz i couldnt believe shed be ablw to sing amazingly especially after such a tragedy
My goodness it was stunning wasn't it? Absolute perfection and i felt the emotion not just in the inspiring words but all the notes she hit. She sang the very last part just as it was indended, in a way that sums up the whole meaning of the song and the amazing fight she (Elie) had made her way through, to realize her worth and to understand that those last words were finally something she understood to be the biggest blessing of all. :) Any singer that can understand and really feel the character's emotion without either living through that story somehow or playing the character in the musical or the movie, is remarkably talented and clearly has been given as a gift from God. And her gift is also ours because we get to witness things like this and gain so much just from watching her. She will go down with history as one of the most amazing vocalists/performers of our time. 💞
Both Fantasia and Jennifer bring a special quality to this song. I saw fantasia sing this live on broadway in the color purple and she killed it. I watch Jennifer sing this song and she kills it as well they have different styles and different qualities that I think we should all respect. I love both of them as artists :)
When people say this performance isn't 'honest' and lacks emotion I have no idea what they are watching. There are times when you can see Jennifer holding back tears! This performance is so moving.
I seriously love every version of this song i hear! Jennifer, Cynthia, Fantasia, and more just kill it in their own special way. I love the different emotion each of them being to this amazing song.
"I'm Here" is one of my favorite songs showing the expressiveness of female vocalists. Jhud gave an emotionally controlled version full of depth and strength. Fantasia poured it all out heart on her sleeve, equally beautiful.
Whenever someone boasts of how good they can sing I bring them over here to learn there's always someone a lot better than them. Don't know nobody alive who can barely touch JHud's resonance nowadays.
Jennifer brings this song to a different level. This song is greater than the character in the Color Purple. She provides a real element because she relates to the core story with the loss of her mother/nephew. She was clearly fighting her emotions and trying to finish the song..
This is why Jennifer Hudson is my absolute favorite singer! Her voice is absolutely stunning and so powerful! You can hear the emotion in her voice when she sings....Now that takes talent!!
She is the best SINGER we have today, beyond a shadow of doubt. When she starts off the song, with "I don't need" she certainly gives a preview of what the song will feel like. That is an absolute gift!
Why do we always compare artists? They offer different taste of music, their techniques are different and that's why we love them all. Music should, at least, employ individualism so that we can experience different emotions. Fantasia and JH are two very good singers, and both of them bring something new to the table that's why I love both of them because they let me experience something that the other can't portray... So chill out, it doesn't even makes sense comparing the two because both are incomparable and they both shine on their own ways.
Cynthia's version of this is gorgeous. I did like this rendition, it's got a lot of raw emotion. Cynthia just has better range and vocal control I think, because every run she does sounds flawless. This performance was amazing, but you should definitely go watch one of Cynthia's too. I was blessed enough to see her on Broadway and she made me cry several times throughout the show.
I literally shivered and had goosebumps when she finished performing. Wow! really, this is only the beginning for you, JHud. Please let's love and appreciate talent without unnecessary comparison; it yields no +ve result.
Oh please with the negativity. Jennifer Hudson is a true queen in the industry. Such a talent. Yes I have favorite songs that she does especially with the fit for her voice that fills a room and breaks the walls like no other. This is a beautiful performance. Even hearing her sing the phone book would move me. Her voice is magic.
What an absolutely gorgeous performance, to die for vocals- those that make your hairs stand up on the back of your neck... Jennifer Hudson is such an amazing performer.
Wow! I heard Fantasia also do this song both were amazing but I think the quality that Jennifer has is the build up to emotion she does it in crescendo -- And that makes for a more professional stage commanding performance -- I was brought to tears.
+Patricia Parker Even if she's playing Shug Avery instead of Celie on Broadway and soon will be replaced by the equally talented Heather Headley, I agree. In fact, she is going to play Maybelle in NBC's Hairspray Live
One of the great vocal performances that will forever be held as a standard of excellence. Jennifer is simply unmatched by her contemporaries and is in a league of her own.
This gift came from heaven , which Jesus shine on you Jennifer and you find the way of salvation. Very beautiful this presentation. I'm thrilled . I think about 500 views mine.
AMAZING! I absolutely love this song, and love the power, conviction, and sincerity in Jhud's voice. I love hearing each women give her own testimony when singing this song. From Broadway to secular. I love it!
I think this is my favorite Jennifer performance of all the vids I've seen. I shake my head in wonder as tears flow down my cheeks. A mezzo with incredible range up and down; and a soul too big for any human body. I wish I could hear her sing live, acoustic, in a small venue just once.
I don't really know how you can criticize this astonishing performance. There is so little quality soul music about due to the addiction to RnB sounds and this is nothing short of Brilliant. Soul Music as it should be. Full of SOUL. xx
her and fantasia's versions are both spectacular they are phenomenal singers
Jennifer Hudson has one of the best voices I have ever heard, just incredible
Have to give all the beautiful black women who performed this a huge round of applause. Each of them brought something to each performance and that's the way it's supposed to be.
david Jackson side tihk you subscrlbe beyonce sing love you kiss
❤❤ YES AND YES
I literally listen to this 2-3 times a day. So incredibly inspiring. One of the best voices there is.
If it's Jennifer Hudson, you know it's going to be really good.
Two words "Oscar winner!", Grammy winner. One of the best stars from American Idol
+ALEXIS THOMAS Ten years have gone by fast since Ms. Hudson was in Dreamgirls
you forgot Golden Globe
Standing ovation says it all!
sweetiest moment when Stedman held her from behind so sweet.
Cassandra badie
Didn't come here to compare. Just came to enjoy such a wonderful talent!
This is so beautiful. I've listened to many different versions and they're all amazing. I wish people would just stop coming here to compare ..
Thank you. It's been interpreted in different ways...all powerful.
KKillaAMV exactly. thank you!
KKillaPRO AMV & Gaming Oh Lordy, this song and Jennifer's voice..... I can't stop watching and listening.
Cynthia Erivo's version is better
Yes, every singer i saw did in a way, i love them all
I love Jennifer Hudson! Wow! Jennifer, you are such an inspiration to many young women! God bless you!!!!
Another spectacular performance by Jennifer Hudson! She turned an 11 o clock number to a show stopper. I hope she's enjoying playing Shug Avery in the new Broadway revival of The Color Purple.
An 11 o'clock number is by definition a showstopper.
nicoleloveswalt Didn't really know that
Jennifer does every song justice! Incredible!
Perfect vocals and doesn't she just look so beautiful and graceful
I'm Oprah
You're Oprah
Everyone is Oprah
God is Oprah
When Jennifer Hudson is singing ♥
Boy now O know you are very sick. Oprah is Not God!
Oprah is over her expaier date
I don't know how I missed this. But it brought me to tears. Jennifer Hudson is a class act and I continue to be impressed. Wow! And hey, if it's good enough for Oprah....well done J Hud!!
That girl can saaannngggggg!!!!!!
Jennifer hudson all the wayyyyy! Epic!!!!
"screaming doesn't make you a good singer: tone, quality, and control do."
And to put all emotions in a song! and she does.
she's great!
When Fantasia sings this she doesn't sing just for herself alone. It feels like she's telling the audience "You know what, no matter what you've been through, it's okay. You're here now and you can move one to do greater things." That's what touched me so much about Fantasia's version. It just speaks to me.
This is one of the most powerful performances I've seen Ms. Hudson do.
Jennifer is really an incredible singer but more than that she brings such emotion to the songs she sings, absolute perfection
WOW WOW WOW there is no one in the industry NOW who can sing with such power and passion and this woman. Blew me away.
OctZ2001 she is amazing but check Keke Wyatt out she is a powerhouse
Ppl can never watch a great performance without comparing it to someone's else performance & adding negativity . ..
They both did a wonderful job delivering the song in their own emotional way ..
Right and people comparing will never set foot on a stage.
+Ayden_Chadway Exactly
+Ayden_Chadway Exactly
+Ayden_Chadway Exactly
So In Love With This Comment
i believe it was at this performance that Oprah decided that Jen was going to do the Color Purple on Broadway. absolutely amazing.
That actually doesn't surprise me. But what actually surprises me is Oprah casting Jen as Shug Avery
Why were you surprised? You think the role wld be too strong for a person of her voice? I would think she would not have time for a role like Celie's as she would not be able to do other work like hairspray live and preparing for the Voice UK stint :)
I have no words. Absolutely amazing!
I love this master class version of this song by Jhud. I did not expect her to be emote like the other ladies who are specifically connected the play.(They did justice to their version.) In this case there is no need for that...listened to this song as a separate entity. Jennifer has the pipes and she sang excellently.
I swear that note at the end :):):)
JH is a powerhouse and her voice is a gift from God.
Good Grief! god is NOT real! That is what makes her voice so irritating!
gene1536 merry christmas, hope u find that God is real one day
There is no comparing Jennifer and Fantasia... Its like comparing Whitney and Patti ... There is no comparison one of them has a lot of control to their voice and the others is VERY GOSPEL... Jennifer and Fantasia could never be bulked together...Jennifer is classic and timeless whereas Fantasia is full of soul and honest...
Sean Yates Both Jennifer and Fantasia sing with soul and honesty because they bring their music from a very personal place. Both have a solid church background; Jennifer probably from a Baptist church and Fantasia more sanctified. The difference is that Jennifer has a more powerful controlled voice and has a more elegant stage presence. On the other hand, Fantasia sings like she probably did in church - very raw and letting it all hang out and testifies every time she's on stage. Fantasia puts on a visual show and can sing. But Jennifer -- that's a singer.
***** hey boo don't argue with these idiots they clearly don't have an ear for real music are real talent they're delusional if u ask me Jennifer Hudson many awards and achievements speaks for themselves lol
Super StarQ You're right.
***** I most certainly have an ear for music. I have been a fan of both these artists since their IDOL debut on Season 3. They are both amazing artists but as i said THEY CANNOT be compared. They are in completely different lanes. End of story
Sean Yates and yeah u right and Jennifer is way ahead past Fantasia lane .lol
This song is amazing. J HUD did an amazing job doing her rendiction of this song! Waiting to see her tribute to Aretha Franklin at the Honors Award on BET.
This was ms Hudson first time performing after the death of her mother and nephew, it's AMAZING!
so much emotion in JHud version... Damn man. Beautiful
This is devastatingly amazing. No words. Makes me want to pray for some reason.
I can't people are spreading hate on this beautiful performance. It makes me cry everytime. Jennifer Hudson is the definition of soul.
EXCELLENT!!!
Devastatingly beautiful!! What a tribute!! What a voice!!
One of the best singers of the world
She sang this directly from her heart.
AMAZING!!! both jenn and tasia!! Both strong women with amazing voice and beautiful souls!
+ShannR414 They were pretty lucky to compete on American Idol back in 2004. I'm actually a much bigger fan of Jennifer than Fantasia
Absolute perfection! JHud is the best that ever came out from American Idol along with Adam Lambert.
this is special i feel she was singing to her sister
JH is one of the greatest performers and voices of all time. Stunning woman.
I can't stop watching this video. Jennifer is amazing. There's a difference between being able to sing and being gifted. Jennifer is gifted
Congrats to Ms. Jennifer Hudson who is now the new face of the Color Purple hitting Broadway this year!! I cannot wait to see her!
One of my favorite vocalists!
She nailed it 🔥🔥
Why do we feel the need to compare both artists? They have different techniques and style, but both of them bought soul to the song, sang their hearts out & owned it
But Jennifer is way better
I've can't imagine what she's been through but I garentee I is heart breaking
People should stop comparing the artists. They each sing it a different way to show emotion. If they were all equally the same, there would be no difference between performances.
Also, you go Jennifer. Keep on slayin
I do Love JHud's cover of this song, but I just listened again to Fantasia and got goosebumps. There's just something about how she pours her soul into a lyric... Anointed.
+robertantonnyc yep!
to me, each version are completely different entities. both are chillingly excellent
wainblatrobert
I saw the original Celie (LaChanze). I'm sure no one will ever top her. Everyone has their favorites, I guess. Fantasia really put her heart and soul into it.
+robertantonnyc Janette Bayardelle
agreed
This song sends shivers through my soul but theres something about whe Jennifer sings it, i sit in awe of the emotion and raw vocal talent
Awesome as always.
That heart sings the most beautiful songs!!!!
Look. I've performed this song before, so I know how hard it is, and how hard it is to do it without crying. I don't know if I've heard Fantasia do it, but Jennifer made it her own and tore the thing UP. And of course, she had to do an edited version of it for the event. She makes me insanely jealous, the power and skill and the time she took to convey the emotion behind the words. You can't fault her, and you can't compare her. I just lost my mind when I heard this, and that's all that matters in the end.
Jennifer is a classy singer that hold the traditional value African American held in the music Industry. I see that we are still holding on to what made us famous throughout the world. Thank you Jennifer you make us proud.
idk how jhud did it.. if felt every lyric she sang i say idk how cuz very recently before this her mom and her sister were murdered so just the first verse with the word sister broke me cuz i couldnt believe shed be ablw to sing amazingly especially after such a tragedy
Daniel Nava cole
Love this rendition!
My goodness it was stunning wasn't it? Absolute perfection and i felt the emotion not just in the inspiring words but all the notes she hit. She sang the very last part just as it was indended, in a way that sums up the whole meaning of the song and the amazing fight she (Elie) had made her way through, to realize her worth and to understand that those last words were finally something she understood to be the biggest blessing of all. :) Any singer that can understand and really feel the character's emotion without either living through that story somehow or playing the character in the musical or the movie, is remarkably talented and clearly has been given as a gift from God. And her gift is also ours because we get to witness things like this and gain so much just from watching her. She will go down with history as one of the most amazing vocalists/performers of our time. 💞
Both Fantasia and Jennifer bring a special quality to this song. I saw fantasia sing this live on broadway in the color purple and she killed it. I watch Jennifer sing this song and she kills it as well they have different styles and different qualities that I think we should all respect. I love both of them as artists :)
No words just chills
When people say this performance isn't 'honest' and lacks emotion I have no idea what they are watching. There are times when you can see Jennifer holding back tears! This performance is so moving.
I seriously love every version of this song i hear! Jennifer, Cynthia, Fantasia, and more just kill it in their own special way. I love the different emotion each of them being to this amazing song.
This woman...is going down in history. She is just... so authentic, so raw! Just... I love how I FEEL her passion!
No comparison to Fantasia! FANTASIA OWNS THIS SONG! Fantasia sends chills down your spine when she sings it!
What an amazing voice. So much power and so much feeling. Just wonderful.
"I'm Here" is one of my favorite songs showing the expressiveness of female vocalists. Jhud gave an emotionally controlled version full of depth and strength. Fantasia poured it all out heart on her sleeve, equally beautiful.
I can listen to this over and over. So magical. Pure talent!
You're the best singer ever, your voice warms my heart and your emotions are incredibly deep! I love you Jennifer, I need your voice❤️!
Whenever someone boasts of how good they can sing I bring them over here to learn there's always someone a lot better than them. Don't know nobody alive who can barely touch JHud's resonance nowadays.
Damn, she can sing!
Jennifer brings this song to a different level. This song is greater than the character in the Color Purple. She provides a real element because she relates to the core story with the loss of her mother/nephew. She was clearly fighting her emotions and trying to finish the song..
What an outstanding performance by Jennifer Hudson...these are the type of songs that really portray her musical gift.
This is why Jennifer Hudson is my absolute favorite singer! Her voice is absolutely stunning and so powerful! You can hear the emotion in her voice when she sings....Now that takes talent!!
+Jared Moleterno And vocal power
She is the best SINGER we have today, beyond a shadow of doubt. When she starts off the song, with "I don't need" she certainly gives a preview of what the song will feel like. That is an absolute gift!
This is an amazing performance, every time I watch this I have to hold back tears. J-hud has true talent, and she is really is beautiful.
Why do we always compare artists? They offer different taste of music, their techniques are different and that's why we love them all. Music should, at least, employ individualism so that we can experience different emotions. Fantasia and JH are two very good singers, and both of them bring something new to the table that's why I love both of them because they let me experience something that the other can't portray... So chill out, it doesn't even makes sense comparing the two because both are incomparable and they both shine on their own ways.
Over the top and fabulous!
Great Performer, They Stood Up For Jennifer, So What Does That Tell You Amazing Beautiful, Talented Love Her!!!!!
Cynthia's version of this is gorgeous. I did like this rendition, it's got a lot of raw emotion. Cynthia just has better range and vocal control I think, because every run she does sounds flawless. This performance was amazing, but you should definitely go watch one of Cynthia's too. I was blessed enough to see her on Broadway and she made me cry several times throughout the show.
I LOVE JHud! Her voice is AMAZING! Such talent! Beautiful inside and out! I am so proud of her!
I literally shivered and had goosebumps when she finished performing. Wow! really, this is only the beginning for you, JHud. Please let's love and appreciate talent without unnecessary comparison; it yields no +ve result.
God favored this lady so much..
Absolutely perfect. Gives you the chills at how emotional and yet perfect this performance is. Unbelievably brilliant.
It left me speechless...
This is simply the best version of the song ever!!!!
Jennifer is AMAZING (always)
Thank You
Oh please with the negativity. Jennifer Hudson is a true queen in the industry. Such a talent. Yes I have favorite songs that she does especially with the fit for her voice that fills a room and breaks the walls like no other. This is a beautiful performance. Even hearing her sing the phone book would move me. Her voice is magic.
Well said! Frankly we blessed to even witness such talent
She can bring it!!!!! 20 People dislike it have no taste in music!
What an absolutely gorgeous performance, to die for vocals- those that make your hairs stand up on the back of your neck... Jennifer Hudson is such an amazing performer.
This woman is a musical powerhouse. Truly one of a kind :-)
I can't get enough of JHud's voice and songs. Her voice reaches deep down in my soul.
Wow! I heard Fantasia also do this song both were amazing but I think the quality that Jennifer has is the build up to emotion she does it in crescendo -- And that makes for a more professional stage commanding performance -- I was brought to tears.
+Patricia Parker Even if she's playing Shug Avery instead of Celie on Broadway and soon will be replaced by the equally talented Heather Headley, I agree. In fact, she is going to play Maybelle in NBC's Hairspray Live
Manuel Orozco Ii love Heather Headley too!
Patricia Parker Me too. I've been a fan of her since I was 10 after my mom bought her debut CD. Anyway, isn't Jennifer playing Maybelle great
Just wondering if you are excited for Hairspray LIVE?
One of the great vocal performances that will forever be held as a standard of excellence. Jennifer is simply unmatched by her contemporaries and is in a league of her own.
You could search the world for something better, but you will not find. J.H. is already a Super Diva, and no one else will ever compare.........
Both renditions were moving!
That was amazing I love jennifer hudson love her voice
This gift came from heaven , which Jesus shine on you Jennifer and you find the way of salvation. Very beautiful this presentation. I'm thrilled . I think about 500 views mine.
both fantasia and jennifer's renditions are stellar. gosh i wish i could sing like these divas.
AMAZING! I absolutely love this song, and love the power, conviction, and sincerity in Jhud's voice. I love hearing each women give her own testimony when singing this song. From Broadway to secular. I love it!
Wow! God Bless you...Jennifer Hudson.
I think this is my favorite Jennifer performance of all the vids I've seen.
I shake my head in wonder as tears flow down my cheeks.
A mezzo with incredible range up and down; and a soul too big for any human body. I wish I could hear her sing live, acoustic, in a small venue just once.
I don't really know how you can criticize this astonishing performance. There is so little quality soul music about due to the addiction to RnB sounds and this is nothing short of Brilliant. Soul Music as it should be. Full of SOUL. xx