Jennifer Hudson Set to Perform for Obama on Thursday

The award winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson is scheduled to sing the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Denver on Thursday when Sen. Barack Obama accepts the party's nomination for presidency.

Hudson, who is 26, is a native of Obama's hometown in Chicago. The Illinois senator asked Hudson to sing "The Star Spangled Banner," according to Theola Borden, her publicist at the RCA Music Group.

According to Borden, Hudson performed for Obama earlier in his career at a local event in Chicago.

Hudson became famous when she was a contestant on the third season of American Idol. Hudson became famous even after being the sixth finalist voted off.

Hudson landed the role of Effie White in the movie, Dreamgirls, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Hudson's self titled debut album, Jennifer Hudson, is set to be released in stores Sept. 30 through Arista Records.

Hudson is scheduled to appear in the upcoming film, The Secret Life of Bees, featuring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, and Dakota Fanning. The film is scheduled to hit theaters Oct. 17.