Jennifer Hudson achieved fame (and an Academy Award) in Dreamgirls, but much of her life was the stuff of nightmares. The soulful Chicago-born singer, who got started singing in her South Side church choir before she wowed the judges on the third season of American Idol, has had to deal with tragedy and trauma throughout her life, and she’s felt the pain of being judged by her appearance instead of her talent.

In her intimately personal and inspirational memoir, I Got This, Hudson tells all, opening up about her struggles with success, relationships, weight and body image. Along the way, she lets us in on lots of juicy stories about her experiences on Idol, Dreamgirls, making her Grammy®-winning album, dealing with backstabbing competition, and more—stories her fans have been waiting to hear!

And underneath all the pain and the showbiz drama is the uplifting tale of a determined, grounded, optimistic woman whose weight fell even as her star rose! Jennifer reveals how the birth of her son inspired her to slim down and reclaim her slinky body despite all the troubles that life tossed her way. Best of all, she offers plenty of advice and encouragement to help you live a healthier life.