Hudson to issue first album

NEW YORK, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- "Dreamgirls" star Jennifer Hudson says she will soon release her first album in the United States, which she says will show her in "a different way."

Hudson said when her self-titled album is released nationwide this week, most people will likely not think of it as her first musical offering due, in part, to the success of the "Dreamgirls" film, the New York Post reported Sunday.

"Everyone thinks this is my second or third album. It's been a long journey," Hudson said of Tuesday's release. "I'm using this album as a platform to introduce myself in a different way."

Hudson said winning a best supporting actress Academy Award for her singing performance in "Dreamgirls" and enjoying a role in this summer's "Sex and the City" film made it difficult to finish her debut album.

"It took over a year and a half to complete the album because of all the film stuff," she told the Post. "The success of the movies has been great. But now I feel a lot of pressure to live up to what I've done, with the awards and all."