VIDEO: Jennifer Hudson Performs 'I'm Here' from THE COLOR PURPLE

As BWW reported earlier today, it was reported that Jennifer Hudson will soon make her Broadway debut in an upcoming revival of THE COLOR PURPLE. (read story in full here) Below, you can get a preview of the Oscar winner belting out the show's eleven-o'clock number "I'm Here" at the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, as part of a tribute to that year's honoree Oprah Winfrey, a co-producer of the musical as well as a star of the original film. The number was performed per Oprah's request!

An Academy Award-winning actress, Grammy Award-winning recording artist and best-selling author, Jennifer Hudson is an extraordinary talent. From humble beginnings, Hudson began singing in a small Chicago church where, week after week, she brought the congregation to its feet. From there, she's gone on to worldwide acclaim.

This year was a huge success for Hudson's music career, most recently being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was also honored with the privilege to perform the Presidential Inauguration, Super Bowl XLVII and the Academy Awards. In 2013, Hudson appeared in three films, "Winnie Mandela," "The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete" and her return to an on-screen musical in "Black Nativity."

The original Broadway production of THE COLOR PURPLE starred LaChanze as Celie,Brandon Victor Dixon as Harpo, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Nettie, Kingsley Leggs as Mister, Krisha Marcano as Squeak, and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as Shug Avery. The role of Celie has since been played by Jeannette Bayardelle, Kenita R. Miller, and from April 2007 to January 2008, Fantasia Barrino.