Cher was most deservedly awarded the Icon Award at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday night (April 1), an honor that not only saw her deliver a heartwarming acceptance speech but also perform some of her greatest hits.
To the surprise of viewers, her fellow EMMY, GRAMMY, and OSCAR winner Jennifer Hudson kicked off the tribute segment by performing the 1989 classic, ‘If I Could Turn Back Time,’ before being joined by the 77-year-old Pop diva to sing the #1 hit ‘Believe.’
And while Hudson’s signature performance stylings have won her thunderous applause over the years during homages to Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Prince, and others, she may have struck out with viewers when she ignited that same vocal engine for Cher’s.
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While the audience seemed to be getting into the groove of Jennifer’s Gospel-inspired take on ‘Time’ and ‘Believe,’ some Twitter users believed it was too much – some even suggesting the singer-actress-turned-talk show host was even trying to upstage Cher.
At the time of this report, Cher nor Jen have responded to the mixed criticism.
At least Jennifer’s mic is on, unlike Cher. She always lip-sync
She needs to be called out for this. She does it over and over. I’ve seen other singers be gracious enough to not overshadow or oversing an older artist while supposedly honoring them. I saw the performance and I didn’t like the way she clearly kept trying to upstage Cher and then ended by saying “y’all give it up for her.” Clearly she really wanted everyone to give it up for herself. Just selfish in my opinion. Jennifer has no mercy, it could be a 100 year old legend who can barely walk or talk, let alone sing like in their peak, and she’ll still stand there and scream her head off in honor of herself. We know you can sing Jennifer, it’s okay to shine the light on someone else when appropriate.
When you book Jennifer Hudson, this is what you get. Don’t like it? Then don’t book her. She shouldn’t have to dim her light for anybody. That being said, this had to be what they wanted from this performance.
It has nothing to do with dimming her light but everything to do with having respect and tact. Jennifer’s hollering was over the top and unnecessary. It’s not like she was paying tribute to Shirley Caesar or Patti LaBelle….
She was booked to SING. She wasn’t performing at the whisper show, like be fckn serious. She was asked by the ceremony and approved by Cher herself, to do what she does best. If yall don’t want your faves to be ‘upstaged’ then tell them to turn their mics on and SING. Wtf
Cher seemed cool with it. If that’s how they did it in rehearsals and Cher was ok, then so be it.
Screamiffer Hudson just has to holler and showboat. It was not her moment. I guess she has to do the most to make up for her pathetic excuse of a music career.
Awwww uh-uh???🫸🏽 But hell-2da-naw!🥴 And sounding more like a wild hyena hollering, could’nt hear Cher…it’s overkill!😱👎🏽
One thing for sure and 2 for certain JHud gone holla and scream 😂 and Cher is going to lip sync 🤷🏽♂️
Was Dua Lipa or Kylie Minogue unavailable? Christina Aguilera? Having J.Hud for this tribute was a…..choice?
would be nice if Cher didn’t lip synch
Why did they pair Cher with a real vocalist? Jennifer could’ve hummed the alphabet and she still would’ve upstaged Cher vocally.
AND YET SHE WILL NEVER BE AS ICONIC OR SUCCESSFUL AS CHER. CHECK THAT
She already is, in her right. But stay on topic please. The discussion is about vocal chops.