Jennifer Hudson Commands Hard Rock Live With a Masterclass in Soul — June 20, 2026

Hard Rock Live in Hollywood has hosted some of the most memorable nights in South Florida's concert history. Jennifer Hudson Commands Hard on June 20 added another one to the list.

On the same night Josh Groban brought his North American Tour to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Jennifer Hudson opened the evening with a standalone eight-song set that reminded everyone in the room exactly why she is one of the most decorated vocalists of her generation. The two artists later shared the stage for a joint performance of "Unchained Melody," but Hudson's solo set was a complete statement on its own terms. She opened with "Love You I Do," the Henry Krieger ballad from Dreamgirls , and the room went quiet in the best possible way. From there she moved into James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World," a cover that has become a signature for Hudson and one she inhabits with a ferocity that makes it feel entirely her own. Stuart K. Hine's "How Great Thou Art" followed, and the gospel roots that have always underpinned her artistry were on full display. The set moved through "Where You At" and a deeply felt reading of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" before arriving at a medley of the Beatles' "Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight" that drew a sustained ovation. "Invisible" preceded the inevitable closing moment: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," the Dreamgirls showstopper that Hudson has performed hundreds of times and that still lands with the force of something heard for the first time. The crowd was on its feet before the final note. For more upcoming events across South Florida, visit the Premier Guide Miami Events Calendar .