OK, Jennifer Hudson isn't a gospel singer, but her soulful vocals still echo the roots of her church choir beginnings.

That and the fact she's from Chicago, the hometown of Barack Obama, make her the perfect artist to sing the national anthem at tonight's Democratic National Convention event. Tonight marks the convention's climax, as Obama becomes the first African-American to accept the party nomination for the top job in the United States.

The Oscar winner (for her role in Dreamgirls), who next month expects to release her first CD of gospel, soul, R&B and other genres, was personally tapped for the job by Obama.

She's come a long way from singing in her church choir and doing cruise ship gigs, which she used to launch her career. The former American Idol contestant continues to live her dream.

To read more about how Hudson was chosen to sing at tonight's historic event, click here.

[Getty Images photo]