Dreamgirls' Jennifer Hudson Celebrates Success at 'Praise Party' in Church

|PIC1|Oscar nominee Jennifer Hudson celebrated her success in the week leading up to the Academy Awards at her family's church.

"I don't do clubs. I don't drink. I don't smoke," Hudson told a boisterous crowd at Progressive Baptist Church on Chicago's south side on Monday night. "I'm not having no club party; I better have a praise party."

Hudson, 25, headlined a gospel concert, "An Evening of Praise With Jennifer Hudson", accompanied by the acclaimed Soul Children of Chicago.

She won a Golden Globe Award last month and is among the nominees for best supporting actress at the Oscars on Sunday for her role in Dreamgirls.

Many of the more than 3,000 people in the audience Monday were non-church members drawn in to hear Hudson and others sing.

"It's an exciting time because the city is so rich in the gospel tradition," said audience member Brenda Morgan. "It's a great night. We're so proud of Ms Hudson."

Hudson first attracted attention as one of the finalists on the third season of the FOX reality/talent-search television series American Idol and stars as Effie White in the musical film Dreamgirls.

After seeing Hudson's performance on the film, American Idol judge Simon Cowell taped a congratulatory message to her, which aired on The Oprah Winfrey Show.