Jennifer Hudson Reveals Inspiration Behind Talk Show Spirit Tunnel

Grammys 2026: Jennifer Hudson Reveals the Inspiration Behind Her Show's Spirit Tunnel

We've all seen the joyous clips from The Jennifer Hudson Show of celebrity guests strolling, bumpin' or otherwise vibing down the hall, the talk show's crew lined up on either side to pump them up before they sit down with host Jennifer Hudson.

As it turns out, every guest—ranging from Ron Funches to Gordon Ramsay—is truly getting the VIP treatment.

"They originally did it for me," the 2026 Grammy nominee for The Gift of Love exclusively told Zuri Hall on Live From E!: Grammys 2026, explaining how the show's signature "spirit tunnel" tradition got started. "Then I was like, 'We should do this for our guests,' and now it's taken a life of its own."

And yes, they still line up to hype the host, because who couldn't use that energy before showtime?

"Even when I come out," Hudson said, "they still do it to get me amped."

Doing the amping on the Grammys red carpet, however, was Hudson's black leather dress with a sky-high slit. (See all the daring red carpet fashion at the 2026 Grammys.)

But at the main event Feb. 1 at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, Hudson felt it was just nice to be nominated and showing some skin was part of the fun.

The Gift of Love was "a passion project," she explained to Hall. "I didn't even expect the Grammy nomination for it! So it's a huge celebration just for it to be acknowledged."

Not to mention, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album have been her sole nomination tonight, but she does have EGOT status as one of only 22 artists ever (including Steven Spielberg, as of tonight) to have earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony in competitive categories.

And speaking of competitive categories, check out the best-dressed stars on the Grammys 2026 red carpet: