With the Academy Awards fast-approaching, some Oscar nominees are waiting anxiously for the world's most popular awards ceremony to start, and some are simply enjoying the honor of being nominated. For Jennifer Hudson, who has already won a Golden Globe award for her work on DreamGirls, as well as a Screen Actors Guild award, decided to celebrate her success before the Oscars even happen, and she did so in a less-than expected way.

Rather than hosting a party for her fellow DreamGirls cast, which includes Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx and fellow Golden Globe winner Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson chose to celebrate at her family's church in Chicago. Jennifer Hudson headlined a gospel concert at the Progressive Baptist Church on the city's South Side on Monday night, rather than the more typical Oscar parties. The Associated Press quoted Hudson, who said, "`I don't do clubs. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I'm not having no club party; I better have a praise party."

Hudson headlined "An Evening of Praise With Jennifer Hudson" on Monday night, along with the acclaimed Soul Children of Chicago. The three-hour, multi-act gospel service packed in a standing-room only crowd of close to 4,000 according to the Chicago Tribune, and as the show started, a line extended from the church down the block. As Hudson took to the stage, she said, "The purpose of this is to praise God because he did it; I didn't." Hudson then told the crowd that, "I'm only singing one song, so don't be mad now."

Following that announcement, Jennifer Hudson launched into the gospel song "For This I Give You Praise", backed up by roughly 50 members of Chicago's Soul Children choir. Despite only singing one song, fans were thrilled with the appearance by Hudson. One audience member, Brenda Morgan, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that, "It's an exciting time because the city is so rich in the gospel tradition. It's a great night. We're so proud of Ms. Hudson."

The Academy Awards are set to air Sunday night, and Jennifer Hudson, who has already won a Golden Globe, SAG award and a BAFTA for her role in DreamGirls, is a heavy favorite to take the Oscar, thus winning a clean sweep. Hudson has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category, one of eight categories that DreamGirls has been nominated for. Eddie Murphy is up for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, and the production has nominations for Costume Design, Art Direction, Sound Mixing and three nominations for Best Song.