Jennifer Hudson to lead The Color Purple revival on Broadway

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will make her Broadway debut in a revival of the musical The Color Purple.

The Dreamgirls star will portray singer Shug Avery in the show later this year (15), after producer Oprah Winfrey personally invited her to join the cast, according to the New York Post.

Ironically, Fantasia Barrino, who won season three of American Idol and competed against Hudson on the TV talent show, won rave reviews as LaChanze in The Color Purple on Broadway, and fellow season three favorite LaToya London portrayed Nettie in the national tour of the show.

Season six Idol star Lakisha Jones also served as Chaka Khan's understudy in the musical on Broadway.

An opening date and venue for the new stripped-down The Color Purple revival will be announced in the coming weeks.