Hudson says she was ‘abused, misled’ on ‘Idol’

But Oscar-nominated singer/actress isn't looking back

Phil Mccarten / AP

Jennifer Hudson doesn't have pleasant memories of her "American Idol" days.

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updated 9:57 a.m. ET Feb. 6, 2007

Academy Award nominee Jennifer Hudson doesn't exactly have pleasant memories of her days as a contestant on hit FOX reality show "American Idol."

People.com reports that Hudson tells Essence magazine "On American Idol, you go through this mental thing; you've got to get yourself back together. You've been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think."

Hudson also told the magazine that "Idol" contestants "become a character," saying "I became the character in the turkey wrapping," referring to an unflattering outfit she once wore on the show. But she went on to say "I don't believe in looking back, and I didn't look back."

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She goes on to deny rumors of trouble on the set of "Dreamgirls," the Broadway musical turned big-screen movie that earned her the Oscar nomination. Of the friendship between herself and co-stars Beyonce Knowles and Anika Noni Rose, Hudson told the magazine "We were meant to be together."

Hudson, 25, reportedly beat out more than 300 other singer/actresses, including "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino, for her "Dreamgirls" role of Effie White, the character reportedly based on real-life singer Florence Ballard.