Oscar-winning “American Idol” castoff Jennifer Hudson plans to release her self-titled debut album in September, with the first single, “Spotlight,” hitting U.S. radio outlets in June, her label said on Monday.
“Spotlight,” described as a song about insecurities within a relationship, was composed by R&B songwriter and vocalist Ne-Yo, who co-produced along with the Norwegian production duo known as Stargate.
Additional contributors on the album include Timbaland, Robin Thicke, the Underdogs, Diane Warren and Christopher ”Tricky” Stewart.
Hudson’s debut is being released through the SonyBMG label Arista Records, with “Spotlight” hitting the airwaves on June 9. The song will be made available for digital download the following day.
“I think people will be pleasantly surprised, because it shows a side of my work that no one has heard before,” Hudson, a Chicago native, said in a statement issued by the label.
Hudson, 26, first gained public attention as a contestant during the third season of the hit television talent contest ”American Idol,” but she ended up as the sixth finalist voted off the show.
Undaunted, Hudson went on to land the role of Effie White in the movie adaptation of the musical “Dreamgirls,” based loosely on the story of Motown act The Supremes, for which she won a Golden Globe and Academy Award as best supporting actress.
She next appears in the upcoming film adaptation of the HBO TV series “Sex in the City” and on its soundtrack, due May 27, as well as “The Secret Life of Bees,” which hits U.S. theaters on October 17.