Hudson didn't let this one loss define her career, but continued to pursue her dream of singing. In 2005, Jennifer Hudson auditioned for the role of Effie in the musical "Dreamgirls." At the time, she had never acted in a feature film. She was also one of 783 people vying for the part. Though the odds were against her, Jennifer stood tall as she belted out Effie's signature song, "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going."

In the context of the movie, this was Effie's song of protest to a man who was leaving her. However, the lyrics could have been a message straight from Jennifer to the world: "You're gonna love me."

Suddenly, Jennifer was back in the news: she had landed the starring role of Effie in "Dreamgirls." Effie was a character who, like Jennifer, wanted to be a singer. Also like Jennifer, Effie was heavier than the other characters in the film.

Jennifer did not just do okay in her first film role. She nailed it. People who went to see the movie didn't know what to expect from this unseasoned actress. They left the film unable to forget Jennifer's haunting performance.

Another actress (also named Jennifer) who found that movies and music go hand in hand was Jennifer Lopez. Unlike Jennifer Hudson, Lopez always knew she wanted to be an actor. As a child in the Bronx, NY, Lopez was encouraged to put on plays and performances at home. Her parents, though, strongly discouraged her from a career in acting.

At the time, there were not many roles for Hispanic women in Hollywood. After high school, Lopez acted in a few TV shows and movies. However, Lopez's breakout role didn't arrive until she was 28 years old, when she starred in the movie "Selena."

This biopic, based on the true story of a murdered Tejano singer, was a life-changing experience for Lopez. More than ever, she found herself embracing her looks and background.

Costume designers, instead of trying to make her look like every other skinny actress in Hollywood, made Lopez look like Selena—who had been beautiful with her fuller figure.

Jennifer Lopez did a lot of research to prepare for "Selena," including interviewing the singer's friends and family. When they filmed a concert scene for the movie, the crowd cried out "Selena." However, before the cameras rolled, some people also yelled "Jennifer." Though she didn't actually sing during the film—they used recordings of Selena's voice in the movie—Jennifer was inspired to record music herself.

Jennifer Lopez went on to have a successful career in both music and film. Her 2001 album J.Lo was number 1 in the Billboard 200. That same year, her movie, "The Wedding Planner," was the top-grossing movie in the country. Jennifer also became the first Latina actress to earn more than $1,000,000 for her role in "Out of Sight." But it was "Selena," and the memory of the dead, beautiful singer, that taught Jennifer Lopez that she could be herself, and still dream big.