International superstar Jennifer Hudson is the confirmed headliner for the final night of Reggae Sumfest 2015, Saturday July 18th at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay. Johnny Gourzong Executive Director of Summerfest Productions, producers of the event, is elated to have such a quality performer on the roster for this year’s event.
“We are extremely happy to confirm Jennifer Hudson as the headline artiste on International Night 2. She is a powerhouse vocalist and a has huge catalogue of hits that Jamaicans and people from all across the world know and love,” Gourzong said. American recording artist, actress and philanthropist Jennifer Hudson made her film debut as
Effie White in the 2006 film “Dreamgirls,” garnering her several awards that year, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Hudson went to release her first Grammy-winning, RIAA Gold Certified album in 2008. The self-titled album entered Billboard’s Top 200 at No. 2 and marked the biggest first week sales for an R&B female entry since 2004 and has since sold over 1.1 million albums worldwide to date. Hudson’s sophomore album, “I Remember Me,” was introduced on March 22, 2011 to rave reviews. The album debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200 and R&B Albums charts and has since been certified RIAA Gold in the U.S. Most recently, Hudson released her third critically acclaimed album, “JHUD,” which opened in the Billboard Top 10 on September 23, 2014. The album, released by Sony/RCA, features hit tracks in collaboration with the likes of Pharrell Williams, R. Kelly, Iggy Azalea and OVO/1985.
Additional film credits include “Sex and the City,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” “Winnie Mandela,” “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete,” “Black Nativity” and others. Most recently, she was seen in the debut season of the hit-television series EMPIRE in which she also performed. Hudson will make her Broadway debut this fall in “The Color Purple.”
CHAIRMAN Robert Russell DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Barry Jenoure EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR John Gourzong DIRECTORS Howard Deers, Godfrey Dyer, Joe Hylton, Hartley Morris, Sydney Reid, Hugh Thompson This will be the first time that Hudson will perform in Jamaica and she is looking forward to it. “We understand that she is anticipating the trip to Jamaica and is already preparing for her performance,” he added. The Reggae Sumfest stage has been the platform for many international and local acts to showcase their talent, artistes like Kanye West, Lionel Richie, Usher and Rihanna, have all delivered at the event. This year, Summerfest Productions promises an amazing production, superb entertainment and a truly Jamaican experience for all who attend.
Reggae Sumfest will be begin on Sunday July 12th with a beach party at the Aquasol Theme Park, All White party at Pier 1 on Tuesday July 14th and the main event, Thursday July 16th to Saturday July 18th at Catherine Hall.
“What better way to end the festival than with a mega-star like Jennifer Hudson.” Gourzong ended. The event is set to be held at Catherine Hall Montego Bay on Sunday July 12th to Saturday July 18th in association with sponsors Digicel, Iberostar, Secrets, Pepsi, Jamaica Tourist Board, Red Stripe, Red Bull, and Gleaner.
