Already have an account?
Get back to the

Jennifer Hudson Nails ‘Purple Rain’ During Prince Tribute at 2016 BET Awards: Stars and Fans React

She made him proud! Jennifer Hudson took the stage at the 2016 BET Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 26, to perform an emotional rendition of Prince’s “Purple Rain” — and she absolutely nailed it.

Related: PHOTOS: BET Awards 2016 Red Carpet Fashion: What the Stars Wore

Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson performs on stage during the 2016 BET Awards.

Clad in a short white dress with a hood — similar to the outfit Prince wore to the 2005 People’s Choice Awards — the 34-year-old diva showcased her vocal prowess, effortlessly hitting every note in the song from the 1984 eponymous soundtrack.

Earlier in the evening, Stevie Wonder, Tori Kelly, the Roots, Erykah Badu and Bilal also paid tribute to the Purple One, who died at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota on April 21 after an accidental fentanyl overdose at the age of 57.

Related: PHOTOS: Prince’s Life in Pictures

Hudson previously sang “Purple Rain” with the cast of The Color Purple on Broadway hours after Prince’s death.

Shortly after Hudson hit the BET Awards stage on Sunday night, celebrities and social media users alike shared their thoughts on the stunning performance.

Related: PHOTOS: Most Shocking Celebrity Deaths of All Time

“Jennifer Hudson tearing the ROOF OFF,” Mia Farrow tweeted, while Charlamagne Tha God added, “Jennifer Hudson be singing like the fate of the free world depends on her nailing it Overtime.”

See more reactions below!

Check out Christina Garibaldi and Justin Ravitz dishing on this story during Us Weekly’s Facebook Live News Update.

In this article

Got a Tip form close button
Got a tip for US?
We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz!