Jennifer Hudson Channels Effie White After Unexpectedly Finding Herself at ‘Dreamgirls’ Location

Jennifer Hudson brought back Effie White — for one day only.

The actress, 34, got a healthy dose of nostalgia on Thursday when she unexpectedly found herself back at the Palace in Hollywood (now called Avalon Hollywood) for a photo shoot. It was the same venue at which she filmed scenes for Dreamgirls, which won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2007, and she was surprised and delighted to be there.

Hudson, who will star in NBC’s Hairspray Live! in December, couldn’t keep herself from singing or dancing after she made the connection. She immediately broke into “Move” in the entryway before continuing to explore the venue.

“This is amazing,” she is heard saying as she wandered off to look around.

Once inside the theater, she was feeling Effie all over again, continuing to sing “Move” and trying to get her team to join her. The Chicago native was performing in front of a mirror, shaking her groove thing (and other body parts), and hitting all the high notes. And, man, can she sing — without any musical accompaniment.

Dreamgirls — which also starred Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, and Eddie Murphy, among others — came out 10 years ago this December. The film put Hudson on the map professionally, taking her from American Idol finalist to Oscar winner. Not a bad upgrade.

In an interview with CBS News in November (below), Hudson talked about beating out 785 other women for her role in the film, which was her first acting role in a movie. During the audition process, she actually got a call saying she didn’t get the role, only to win it at the 11th hour.

From career-changing movie roles to surprise photo shoot locations, some things are just meant to be.