Hudson returning to ‘Idol’ for one night only

Ex-competitor to tape performance in front of live audience Wednesday

Dan Steinberg / AP file	Jennifer Hudson was among the 12 finalists in season three of "American Idol," but did not win the title. She went on to win an Academy Award for her work in "Dreamgirls."

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updated 3:18 p.m. ET March 24, 2009

NEW YORK - Jennifer Hudson is returning to “American Idol” — for one night only.

The Grammy- and Oscar-winning actress, singer and “Idol” alum is scheduled to tape a performance in front of the studio audience on Wednesday after the live broadcast has ended, says a person close to the show who did not want his or her name used because the person was not authorized to speak to reporters.

Hudson’s appearance will air on an upcoming segment, the person says. It will be the 26-year-old superstar’s first time as a performer on the stage that made her famous since the slayings last year in Chicago of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

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Hudson will likely sing a song from her self-titled debut CD, which won the Grammy for best R&B album in February. She was a finalist on the third season of “American Idol.”