Jennifer Hudson, the singer and television personality who first rose to public attention on American Idol, is reportedly being positioned to host a new daytime talk show produced by key figures from the Ellen DeGeneres Show. While this new program is not being presented as a continuation of Ellen’s series, industry reporting indicates it is being shopped as Warner Bros. Television’s potential flagship daytime offering following Ellen’s departure from the daytime lineup.

The concept for Jennifer Hudson’s talk show was tested on the Ellen stage and involved longtime Ellen executive producers Andy Lassner and Mary Connelly serving as showrunners for the trial session. That test tape is now part of the package being shown to station groups in meetings currently taking place. Sources familiar with the discussions say the early response has been positive and that presenters are fine-tuning the show’s structure as they gather feedback from potential affiliates and networks.

At this stage the series does not have an official title, and producers with Warner Bros. Unscripted Television and Telepictures are still developing the exact format. The production team is working to create a daytime program that blends celebrity interviews, musical moments, and human-interest stories while showcasing Jennifer Hudson’s strengths as a performer and on-camera host. The project is being positioned to fill a major daytime role at Warner Bros. following Ellen’s exit.

According to reporting, Warner Bros. considered roughly 30 potential marquee talents before selecting Hudson as the most suitable host. Her background in unscripted television and live performance made her an obvious candidate: in addition to her American Idol origins, she has experience as a coach on The Voice in the U.S. and on the U.K. version of the series. That mix of singing, television experience, and a recognizable public profile is a central reason she emerged as the preferred choice for this daytime venture.

Beyond her unscripted television work, Hudson recently earned industry recognition for producing interactive content, winning a Daytime Emmy for her role as executive producer on the Oculus Quest project “Baba Yaga.” That award highlights her involvement on both sides of the camera and underscores her broader appeal to producers aiming to create a multimedia daytime experience.

The new project also reunites Hudson with longtime television executive Mike Darnell, now president of unscripted and alternative television at Warner Bros. Darnell previously led alternative programming at Fox, where he oversaw the American Idol franchise during the era when Hudson competed on season three and placed seventh. That shared history is one of several connections that helped bring this project together.

Insiders describe Hudson as a well-liked and highly respected talent whose vocal abilities are frequently praised and whose on-screen presence reads as authentic and natural. Producers say those qualities — her musical credibility, television experience, and warm personality — make her a strong fit for the daytime talk format they aim to build.

Meetings with station groups are ongoing, and while there is no confirmed air date or formal network announcement, the early movement on this project suggests Warner Bros. is hopeful the show can become a significant daytime entry. As producers refine the format and determine distribution, they are focusing on a program that highlights Jennifer Hudson’s strengths while appealing to a broad daytime audience.

More details about the show’s title, exact format, and launch plans are expected to emerge as negotiations with station groups and network partners progress. For now, the project remains in development, with the production team working to shape a fresh daytime series centered on a familiar and rising television host.