Inside Jennifer Hudson's Glamorous Life and Tragic Past

March 17, 2011 — -- Jennifer Hudson appeared at this year's Oscars presenting the award for Best Song but it was her newly svelte figure, wrapped in a striking tangerine Versace gown that really captured center stage.

After an impressive 80 pound weight loss, Hudson is now a size 6 and a rising fashionista. Most recently she was a guest at a dinner in Paris in honor of designer Michael Kors.

"The fun part is I get to do all the things that I have a love for like music, the film, and now fashion," Hudson said.

CLICK HERE to watch Deborah Roberts' interview with Jennifer Hudson on the latest episode of "20/20" andCLICK HERE for photos of Jennifer Hudson.

The glamorous life doesn't stop there for the 29-year-old Hudson. She releases her highly anticipated sophomore CD, "I Remember Me", on Tuesday and stars as Winnie Mandela in a new movie based on the life of the former wife of South Africa's first president, Nelson Mandela. Jennifer Hudson is fast becoming the new "it" girl.

"It's so surreal," Hudson said. "It's a beautiful surprise but it's overwhelming at the same time."Got a question for Jennifer Hudson? Click here!

Hudson is a quick study. She was a top contestant and fan favorite before being eliminated on season three of American Idol.

"American Idol was like a great platform, but it's a lot to learn in it," Hudson said. "I just tried to take as much as I could from it and use it for my next experience."

That next experience was winning the role of Effie in her very first movie, "Dreamgirls" and winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

"The Dreamgirls audition came up and they called me," she said. "I didn't even know the character's name. I just knew the song 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.' And I ended up in the film."

Hudson went on to release her self-titled debut album for which she won a Grammy. (CLICK HERE to watch her emotional acceptance speech.) Now she is a spokeswoman, and a stunning success story, for Weight Watchers.

Hudson said she is still getting used to her weight loss being the topic of conversation.

"I had no idea so many people were watching," she said.

Now people come up to her and tell her how much she has inspired them.

"Being somebody who didn't get that kind of attention and then now, all of a sudden, it's magnified. So a lot of times I don't like to think about it because then it adds all the pressure," she said.