Jennifer Hudson set for DNC performance

DENVER, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Actress and singer Jennifer Hudson is set to sing the national anthem on the closing night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, sources say.

Hudson, who snared the 2006 best supporting actress Academy Award for the movie "Dreamgirls," will sing the anthem Thursday at the request of likely Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Access Hollywood reported citing unnamed sources Monday.

Obama will accept the Democratic Party presidential nomination that night outdoors at Denver's Invesco Field.

Hudson was a contestant on third season of Fox's "American Idol" and is best known for her "Dreamgirls" role of Effie White.

Access Hollywood said her self-titled debut album will be released Sept. 30, to be followed Oct. 17 by the unveiling of her first movie since "Dreamgirls," "The Secret Life of Bees," co-starring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning.