Dreamgirls singer Jennifer Hudson has revealed that she turned down the lead role in the 2009 drama Precious.
The singer-actress claimed in her book, I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down, that she was asked to play Claireece “Precious” Jones in the film but passed on it because she was asked to gained weight.
"I had done that with Effie (in Dreamgirls) and as much as I was moved by this film. I wanted to try a role that had nothing whatsoever to do with my weight," she said.
Gabourey Sidibe portrayed Precious in the movie, receiving praised and award nominations - including Best Actress at the Oscars - for her portrayal.
Hudson has opened her own weight loss centre, named The Weight Watchers Jennifer Hudson Centre, in her hometown of Chicago.
Last month, Hudson denied that she and fiancé David Otunga had called off their engagement.
