Season 2 • Episode 1
Jennifer welcomes superfan couple Traci and Pat Jean-Baptiste, from Los Angeles, CA who had a surprise special guest, Jennifer Hudson, show up on their wedding day, creating a moment that they'll never forget. Plus, Jennifer sits down with Tiare Lawrence from Lahaina, HI who recently gained national attention for her philanthropic work after the devastating Maui Fires.
"The Voice" coaches Gwen Stefani and Niall Horan join Hudson in-studio to talk about Season 24.
Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby will join Jennifer to discuss his book Xoxo, Cody: An Opinionated Homosexual's Guide to Self-Love, Relationships, and Tactful Pettiness. Jennifer also welcomes Nina Wiley from Kansas City, MO, whose story went viral after her SKIMS bodysuit saved her life. On New Year's Eve, Nina was caught in the crossfires of a shooting outside of a local club and she was shot four times. Due to heavy holiday traffic, paramedics were delayed getting Nina to the hospital and Nina says her SKIMS bodysuit helped compress her wounds and kept her from excessively bleeding out.
Jennifer chats with comedian Cedric The Entertainer, talking about his debut novel "Flipping Boxcars" and his latest venture launching barbeque label AC Barbeque with fellow comedian, Anthony Anderson.
Season 2 premiere week wraps with NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal who discusses his upcoming gala "The Event" held in Las Vegas.
Reneé Rapp chats about her album "Snow Angel" and performs her single "Tummy Hurts." Five-time NBA champion and former Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher stops by. Jennifer welcomes motivational speaker and pre-K teacher Alethea Crimmins, who decided to "turn pain into purpose" after being bullied for years.
Tori Kelly stops by to chat with Jennifer about her EP "tori." Jennifer welcomes the Laffin family, who made headlines for discovering the children they adopted separately are biologically related.
Robin Thicke chats about "The Masked Singer," his television show on FOX. Jennifer welcomes pracademics Kristi Hadfield from Belpre, Ohio, and Molly Jones from Pennsboro, West Virginia.
Kevin Nealon stops by to talk about his new comedy tour. Jennifer welcomes medical students and friends Irvin Garcia and Alexis Aleman, who have gone viral for their social media page "Foos in Medicine," highlighting what it's like being a Latino medical student.
Alex Rodriguez from the Minnesota Timberwolves chats about OraPharma.
Pentatonix come by to talk about their tour and album "Pentatonix: The Greatest Christmas Hits." Jennifer welcomes WRCB affiliate anchor couple Cornelia Nicholson and Riley Nagel from Chattanooga, Tennessee, whose on-air proposal video went viral. Jennifer welcomes Holliday's Helping Hands founder Katina Holiday "Miss Holliday" from Los Angeles, California. The nonprofit organization helps LA County's general unhoused population and young mothers released from incarceration get back on their feet.
Ms. Pat promotes her new BET judge series "Ms. Pat Settles It" and comedy tour "Ya Girl Done Made It." Jennifer welcomes viral dancer 6-year-old Salome Rivas ("Baby Salo") from Miami, Florida, who is known for her videos dancing to Latin music, especially reggaeton. Jennifer welcomes professor and The Princess Within Foundation founder Dr. Bernada Baker, and her 6-year-old daughter Bella Baker, from Houston, Texas, whom she adopted after a hurricane.
Tiffani Thiessen discusses her cookbook, "Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers." Jennifer welcomes 7-year-old author Cassidy Bridges from Brooklyn, New York, who went viral for her response to a stranger complimenting her hair, where she said: "Thank you, it's an Afro!". This May, Cassidy released a book titled "Thank You, It's An Afro", which became a #1 Amazon bestseller. Jennifer welcomes etiquette expert and best-selling author Myka Meier from New York, New York, who is the founder of Beaumont Etiquette and co-founder of the Plaza Hotel's Finishing Program.
Taye Diggs promotes his new podcast "You Had Me at Hello." Jennifer welcomes medical students and friends Irvin Garcia and Alexis Aleman from Los Angeles, California, whose social media page "Foos in Medicine" went viral which highlights what it's like being a Latino medical student.
Tyler Cameron & Nick Viall promote FOX's "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test." Jennifer welcomes 3Ls: Literacy, Leadership and Liberation founder Sabrina "Bri" Moore from Oakland, California. The nonprofit organization founder teaches kids and adults in the community how to read.
Carrie Ann Inaba promotes "Dancing with the Stars." Jennifer surprises viral music group Biko's Manna, including NoBiko, Manna, and Mfundo. The trio of kids chat with Jennifer and perform. Jennifer surprises superfan Akilah Grace from Birmingham, Alabama, who wrote in to the show to share her breast cancer journey. Akilah was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021. After two years of treatments, Akilah is happy to say she's now cancer-free and wants to celebrate by coming to the show with her 6-year-old daughter, Ava.
Jaime Camil promotes his CBS game show "Lotería Loca." Jennifer welcomes pilot Zachary Anglin and his wife, Martyana, from Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2019, Zack became the world's first quadruple amputee commercial pilot and flight instructor. Despite encountering regulatory barriers and repeated denials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Zack's determination led him to achieve his dream of becoming a pilot. Zack, who was born in Nigeria, is missing both of his hands and both of his feet.
Chelsea Handler returns to promote her comedy tour "Little Big Bitch." Jennifer welcomes 12-year-old viral TikTokker Varonica Mitchell from Henderson, North Carolina. Varonica's videos have garnered millions of views online and have caught the attention of numerous celebrities.
Chris Hardwick promotes his NBC game show "The Wall." Carly Pearce discusses her Country Music Made Me Do It Tour. Jennifer welcomes 5-year-old Jelijah Diaz from Miami, Florida, who is a talented piano player with perfect pitch. Jelijah started taking lessons at the age of 3 and has won first place in local Miami competitions. Jelijah chats with Jennifer and performs while blindfolded.
Coi Leray promotes her new album "Coi." Sheila E. chats with Jennifer about her CBS game show "Lotería Loca."
Octavia Spencer promotes the new projects she executive produced for ID/Discovery, "Feds" and "The Lost Women of Highway 20." Jennifer spotlights accordionist Irany from Mexicali, Mexico, who grew up in a musical family where she learned to play instruments. After Irany's father gave her an accordion, she taught herself how to play. Earlier this year, she was invited to play for global superstar Karol G's Tiny Desk concert and then joined her on her U.S. stadium tour. Irany chats with Jennifer and performs.
Alfonso Ribeiro promotes "Dancing with the Stars" and "America's Funniest Home Videos." Jennifer welcomes first-grade teacher Sonja White from Desoto, Texas, who went viral after she created a mock trip to Mexico for her students in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Casey Wilson chats about her show "The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Edition." Jennifer welcomes Inzone Project founder Terrance Wallace from Chicago, IL, whose nonprofit organization provides educational opportunities for Chicago youth from disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Deon Cole discusses his Netflix stand-up special, "The Improv: 60 & Still Standing." 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte will teach Jennifer how to swim. Jennifer welcomes back 6-year-old Luke Tillman "Pastor Luke," and his parents Catrina and Ezra Tillman, from Fort Lauderdale, FL, who made his first appearance on the show during season one when he went viral for baptizing his Paw Patrol Dog in the bathtub.
12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte joins Jennifer in the studio. Jennifer welcomes viral UPS driver Carlos Cruz from New York, NY. Jennifer welcomes 5-year-old Colbie Durborow, along with her mom Amanda, from Farmingdale, NJ and her mentor Steph Roach from Phoenix, AZ. Colbie was born 17 weeks premature with cerebral palsy (CP). Steph is an inspirational fitness coach who was also born with CP and is a 6-year cancer survivor. Colbie's mom, Amanda, and Steph met through social media in Feb 2021 and instantly formed a close bond.
John Stamos chats about his memoir "If You Would Have Told Me." Jennifer spotlights "America's Got Talent" tap dancer Justin Jackson.
Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and Israel Houghton stop by to chat with Jennifer. Jennifer welcomes body language expert Vanessa Van Edwards from Austin, TX, who is a best-selling author, speaker, teacher and body language expert.
Gabriel Iglesias promotes his comedy tour "Don't Worry Be Fluffy." Ariana Madix discusses competing on "Dancing With the Stars." Jennifer spotlights 14-year-old singer Reid Wilson from Montgomery, Alabama, who recently started posting singing videos on social media but has already caught the attention of millions. Reid will perform and chat with Jennifer.
Mike and Kyra Epps stop by to discuss their HGTV series, "Buying Back the Block." Jennifer welcomes Cori Salazar and her husband, Zak Salazar, from Mission Viejo, California, who are parents of three children: 4-year-old Juniper, 3-year-old Delaney, and 21-month-old Luna. Last spring, their lives changed when the couple each received a cancer diagnosis just months apart.
Grammy Award-winning artist, "Queen of Christmas," and icon Mariah Carey stops by as part of the show's "Legends" series. Mariah will discuss her "Merry Christmas One and All!" tour.
Chef and restaurateur José Andrés promotes his graphic novel, "Feeding Dangerously: On the Ground with José Andrés," and World Central Kitchen.
Country music superstar Blake Shelton discusses "Barmageddon" and the "Back to the Honky Tonk" tour. Jennifer welcomes 81-year-old Nora Langdon from Detroit, Michigan, a retired real estate broker turned professional powerlifter.
Lil Rel Howery promotes his new movie "Dashing Through the Snow." Olympic gold medalist and world champion Tara Lipinski discusses her podcast "Unexpecting."
Adam Sandler promotes his new movie "Leo" and the "I Missed You" tour. Jennifer welcomes teacher Alfred "Shivy" Brooks II and his wife Crystal from Atlanta. Alfred went viral after posting a video holding a sign in front of his classroom that read, "Free hug if you need one." Alfred's late son passed in April 2023 at the age of 16 while trying to save four children drowning in a rip current. Since his son's passing, Alfred says it's his duty to redefine who we see young Black males to be, and what it means to show up for young men. Jennifer spotlights viral sensation 8-year-old Ka'Nary "Kanary Yellow" Lynch from Tampa, whose rapping has garnered millions of views online. She's been reposted by numerous celebrities, from Missy Elliott to Viola Davis, and is taking the hip-hop world by storm. She will perform and chat with Jennifer.
Eric McCormack promotes "The Other Black Girl." Jennifer welcomes couple and educators Carrie and Brett Yancey, from Southside, Alabama, who are joined by their daughters Savannah, Sydney and Sarakate. The family recently made headlines for a night they will always cherish. On September 29, Brett, who has been fighting advanced esophageal cancer for six years, made the 50-yard walk down Southside High School's football field with his daughter Sarakate, who was crowned this year's homecoming queen. Carrie, Savannah and Sydney were in the stands as their community erupted in cheers.
Da'Vine Joy Randolph promotes her movies "The Holdovers" and "Rustin." Tyla discusses her single "Water." Jennifer welcomes high school senior and future first-generation college student Dana Bolden from Jackson, Mississippi, who recently made headlines for being awarded over $2.2 million in scholarships from more than 50 colleges. Dana feels proud to be able to represent her community and said it is rare to see positive stories coming out of her neighborhood.
Henry Winkler returns to discuss his book, "Being Henry: The Fonz...and Beyond." Jennifer welcomes educator Angelique Williams and her 6-year-old student Emora from Cleveland, Ohio. Angelique is the dean of students at East Academy and founder of the nonprofit Let Art Breathe, which helps her students with social-emotional learning through performing arts. Every day at school, Angelique's student Emora asks her "best friend" Angelique if she has found a husband yet. Last month, Emora decided to help Angelique by doing a little prayer at the lunch table. Angelique filmed Emora's prayer and the video has gone viral online.
Ellie Goulding promotes her new album, "Higher Than Heaven." Nick DiGiovanni promotes his cookbook, "Knife Drop: Creative Recipes Anyone Can Cook" and his brand Osmo Salt. Kristoffer Polaha discusses the movie"A Biltmore Christmas" and "The Shift." Jennifer welcomes back body language expert Vanessa Van Edwards from Austin, Texas, who is a best-selling author, speaker, and teacher. Vanessa is renowned for teaching science-backed people skills to audiences worldwide.
Winnie Harlow promotes her skin care line, Cay Skin. Dionne Warwick and Damon Elliott discuss their song "I Kneel."
Dove Cameron promotes herdebut album, "Alchemical." Jennifer welcomes 4-year-old bug expert Jeremiah Davis and his mom, Taneika Weaver, from Douglasville, Georgia. Jeremiah makes educational TikTok videos about his bug knowledge. Taneika first noticed her son's interest in bugs when he was 3 years old and began educating him on different species. Jeremiah's favorite bugs are spiders and roaches, and he wants to be an entomologist when he grows up.
Jeannie Mai promotes herCBS game show "Raid the Cage." Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios discusses his talk series "Good Trouble." Jennifer welcomes DJ Brian Phoenix from Saco, Maine, whose video of him DJ'ing a wedding went viral with over 9 million views. Brian, who has been a DJ for over 40 years, said he does not fit the typical stereotype of a DJ and people are amused by the fact he uses CDs. Brian hopes this video shows people that you're never too old to live out your passion.
Ayesha Curry discusses herskin care line Sweet July Skin. Jennifer welcomes back 11-year-old kid reporter Jeremiah Fennell and his mom, Lorraine Golden. Jeremiah will chat with Jennifer about what he's been up to since he was last on the show.
Demi Lovato promotes her Roku special "A Very Demi Holiday Special." Ally Brooke discusses her Christmas EP "Under the Tree." Grammy-nominated artist Davido will perform a medley of his songs "Feel" and "Unavailable
Matthew McConaughey discusses hischildren's book "Just Because" and Pantalones Organic Tequila. Jennifer welcomes It's Bigger Than Us founder Tyrone Nance from Inglewood, California, whose nonprofit, established in 2020, provides solution-based resources to underserved families in South Los Angeles.
The cast of "American Fiction," including Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Erika Alexander stop by. Melissa Peterman promotes the FOX game show "Person, Place, or Thing."
Tony Shalhoub chats about "Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie." Jennifer welcomes 15-year-old Dejuan "DJ" Strickland from St. Louis, Missouri, who made headlines for raising money to eliminate school lunch debt for students at his former elementary school through his initiative Team Tech Boy Lunch Heroes. DJ decided to create this initiative after he experienced what it was like not having enough money for school lunch when he was in fourth grade.
"Property Brothers" Drew and Jonathan Scott chat about "Celebrity IOU." Jennifer welcomes superfan 11-year-old Ar'Miah Gilchrist, her parents Mariah and Jamie, and her brothers Jamie, Cayden, and Christian from Prince George, Virginia. A few months after Ar'Miah was born, doctors told Mariah and Jamie that their daughter was blind and had a growth hormone deficiency. Growing up, Ar'Miah experienced everything from bullying at school to getting made fun of in public. To show the world her daughter was capable of anything she set her mind to, Mariah started recording motivational videos capturing Ar'Miah's infectious energy that have gone viral.
The iconic Oprah Winfrey, director Blitz Bazawule and the cast of "The Color Purple," including Fantasia Barrino Taylor, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Corey Hawkins and Colman Domingo are set to appear on "The Jennifer Hudson Show" for an exclusive cast talk show appearance airing on Friday, December 15. The new musical adaptation of "The Color Purple" will open in theaters on December 25.
Jason Momoa promotes his new film "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom." Jennifer welcomes two-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and guitarist Raul Midón from Laurel, MD. Originally from New Mexico, Raul was blinded at birth by an incubator after being born prematurely. He studied jazz at the University of Miami, and after college, he performed as a background vocalist for many renowned Latin artists. He went on to have a successful music career, working with industry legends like Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, and Sting. Jennifer welcomes coach and superfan Treena Moore from Baltimore, MD, who was surprised recently during with the show's first-ever "Knock Star" school visit! Jennifer had surprised Treena and the step team of Harlem Park Elementary-Middle School earlier this year.
Kumail Nanjiani discusses his new film"Migration." Teddy Swims performs his hit song "Lose Control" from his debut album, "I've Tried Everything But Therapy, Part 1."
Tia Mowry discusses her new cooking series"Not Like Mama" and her hair care line, 4U by Tia. Jennifer welcomes back motivational speaker Alethea Crimmins from Lafayette, LA, who will be providing motivation to start the new year. Jennifer welcomes Shundrika Houston and her husband, Edward, from Houston, TX, for a Zoom gender reveal. Shundrika wrote to the show, saying this pregnancy was a surprise and they were shocked to learn they are expecting twins due in May! Shundrika and Edward are already parents to two boys, Garrison and Gavin, and they can't wait to become a family of six.
Howie Mandel returns to the show to discuss"AGT: Fantasy League" and "Deal Or No Deal."
Roy Wood Jr. promotes hiscomedy tour, "America: For The Last Time." Chef and digital personality Joshua Weissman discusses hiscookbook "Joshua Weissman: Texture Over Taste" and does a cooking demo. Jennifer welcomes the Labastida Twins, 11-year-old Bryce and11-year-old Matt from Orange County, CA, who have gained a large following online with their dancing videos. They each say that having a twin brother has encouraged them to face their fears and not care what people think; they hope to inspire other kids to do the same.
Mario Lopez promotes his hosting duties on "Access." Jennifer welcomes back content creator Ulysses "Uly" Morazan. Ulysses will chat with Jennifer about dating in the new year and New Year's resolutions.
Garcelle Beauvais discusses "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." Jennifer spotlights country-singing trio Remember Monday from London, U.K. The group is comprised of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull, and Charlotte Steele, who originally found fame in the quarterfinals of "The Voice U.K." (2019) as part of Team JHud. They will perform and chat with Jennifer.
Jerry O'Connell promotes his game show "Pictionary." Jennifer welcomes Kelly Flowers from Dallas, TX, the founder of non-profit Women Leading Technology, which focuses on bringing diversity and equity into the tech space through programs for young girls. Jennifer welcomes 84-year-old skydiver Kim Emmons Knor from Denver, CO. She knew at age 5 that she wanted to one day jump out of a plane after her uncle returned home from World War II with a military parachute. Years later, she was one of only two women who competed against men in the U.S. team tryouts in 1961, and in 1962 she made history as a member of the first Women's Parachute Team, winning gold at the 6th World Parachuting Championships. She has completed over 600 jumps and is currently in pursuit of earning her Gold Wings for 1,000 jumps.
Rich Paul promotes his book "Lucky Me: A Memoir of Changing the Odds." Saint Harison performs his hit song "Ego Talkin." Jennifer welcomes 6-year-old Nathan Katcher and his mother, Rachel, from St. Louis, MO. Nathan has been making headlines for his ability to solve long-equation math problems. Rachel started posting his videos on TikTok to share Nathan's love for math with the world. Nathan has always been fascinated by numbers and by age 4, he was counting to 6,000. Nathan solves all math problems in his head and hopes to be a math scientist when he gets older.
Molly Sims discusses her skincare line YSE Beauty and her podcast "Lipstick on the Rim." Niecy Nash-Betts discusses her movie"Origin." Jennifer welcomes Olympic fencer Arianna Choi from Orlando, FL, who is the top-ranked 9-year-old fencer in the USA. She won her first tournament within one week of learning to fence and has never looked back. Winning six gold medals in her first year of fencing, she added another 16 tournament wins at the end of her second year. Arianna will chat and teach Jennifer how to fence. Interview and performance by Grammy-winning poet J. IVY (album "The Light Inside"). He will perform spoken word with his wife, Tarrey Torae. J. Ivy was the first poet since Dr. Maya Angelou to win a Grammy.
Kaley Cuoco discusses her film "Role Play" and her pet line Oh Norman! Jennifer welcomes Arlene Felder from Burlington, New Jersey, who is the founder of Glassy Brown Cookies. After 15 years as a social worker, Arlene took a leap of faith and pursued her passion and now has two storefronts, ships nationwide, and leads cookie classes. She still loves giving back and supports her community by offering free consultations to small business owners and hosting free cookie classes for youth.
Craig Robinson promotes his Peacock comedy series "Killing It." Shanola Hampton discusses her NBC drama series "Found." Jennifer will spotlight singer Gabriel Henrique from Brazil, who was recently made it to the Top 3 on Season 18 of "America's Got Talent." He will perform and chat with Jennifer.
Reggie Watts discusses his book "Great Falls, MT: Fast Times, Post-Punk Weirdos and a Tale of Coming Home Again." Jennifer welcomes closet therapist Shaniece Jones from Los Angeles, California, who is a biologist-turned-pro closet organizer and declutter expert. Having spent the last 10 years in the closets of celebrities, executives, and entrepreneurs, her inner researcher has continued to study people and the effects their home environments have on them. Shaniece's goal is to curate aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces that allow clients more time to live their lives.
Lilly Singh discusses her children's animated series "The Mindful Adventures of Unicorn Island." Jennifer welcomes body language expert Vanessa Van Edwards from Austin, Texas, who is a best-selling author, speaker, teacher, and body language expert. Vanessa is renowned for teaching science-backed people skills to audiences worldwide. Jennifer welcomes finance expert Ramit Sethi (podcast, "I Will Teach You to Be Rich.")
Heidi Klum promotes "America's Got Talent: Fantasy League." Jennifer welcomes animal communicator Nikki Vasconez from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nikki is an attorney-turned-animal communicator who offers her clients readings with their pets and teaches them how to have two-way conversations with animals. Nikki will chat and do a reading with Jennifer.
Common promotes his new book, "And Then We Rise." Jennifer welcomes Tiffany Miranda from Los Angeles, CA, who is the founder of Girls Make Beats. The nonprofit organization empowers young girls in underserved communities to become music producers, DJs, and audio engineers. Tiffany's goal is to bridge the gender inequality gap in music production and give young women access to life-changing opportunities.
Anthony Anderson and Doris Bowman promote their game show"We Are Family." Jennifer welcomes back Leanne Zapanta, and her husband, Raz, from Mission Hills, CA. Leanne and Raz visited the show last season when we surprised Leanne's bridal party during the show and gifted the couple a honeymoon. Since then, Leanne and Raz got married and went on their honeymoon. Leanne and Raz will chat with Jennifer and will give her a life update.
Paris Hilton promotes"Paris In Love" and her podcast, "Trapped In Treatment." Paris is joined by her mother Kathy Hilton. Joel Kim Booster discusses his Freeform series"Chrissy & Dave Dine Out." Jennifer welcomes Dr. Kwane Stewart from San Diego, CA, who is known as "The Street Vet." Dr. Kwane is a veterinarian who has quietly volunteered his time walking the city streets of California and given free veterinary services to the pets of unhoused people. In 2020, Dr. Kwane founded the nonprofit "Project Street Vet" to expand this important work and provide more support to those in need. Dr. Kwane was recently named CNN's 2023 Hero of the Year.
Mel B discusses "America's Got Talent: Fantasy League." Jennifer welcomes celebrity chef Lorenzo Espada, aka "Eat with Zo," from Charlotte, NC, who is best recognized for posting popular cooking tutorials online. Growing up, Zo's parents always found a way to make something out of nothing and that family motto stuck with him. Zo started cooking in college, selling hot plates to students and locals to make ends meet. Now he's a sought-after chef and specializes in creating traditional classics with a twist. Zo will perform a cooking demo and chat with Jennifer.
Snoop Dogg discusses his new movie"The Underdoggs." Jennifer welcomes back etiquette expert and best-selling author Myka Meier from New York, NY, who is the founder of Beaumont Etiquette and co-founder of the Plaza Hotel's Finishing Program. Through her books, courses, and social media, Myka provides a wide variety of modern tips, tricks, and resources on etiquette. Myka will chat with Jennifer and demonstrate table etiquette. Jennifer welcomes Ryan Peter Murphy and Bradley Rittmann from Boston, MA, both who are students at the Berklee College of Music. They gained popularity online by busking on the streets and in the parks of Boston. Jennifer recently surprised them when she visited Boston to host the city's official tree lighting ceremony. They will perform and chat with Jennifer.
Charlie Wilson promotes his new single "Superman." Jennifer welcomes community activist Devine Carama from Lexington, Kentucky, who is a motivational speaker and runs the nonprofit ONE Lexington. The nonprofit group helps address and prevent crime among youth in Devine's community. Devine recently went viral for teaching his mentoring class of young boys about emotional intelligence and says he sees himself in many of the young kids and families he helps. He was once a struggling single father and now uses his experience to mentor kids and young adults.
The Bachelor Joey Graziadei comes by. CEO of The Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr. promotes the66th Annual Grammy Awards. Former Los Angeles Laker and five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher stops by.
Rev Run promotes "Kings from Queens: The Run DMC Story." Jennifer welcomes Los Angeles Room & Board founder Sam Prater from Los Angeles, California, whose organization helps ensure students can complete their college degrees without food and housing insecurities. The organization consists of four locations in the city that create a safe living space for 190 students each year. Originally from Detroit, Sam dropped out of high school and struggled to become independent. He later went on to earn a bachelor's, master's, and doctorate. His dream is to end homelessness in the city.
Chrissy Teigen discusses "Chrissy & Dave Dine Out" and her baking brand Cravings by Chrissy Teigen.
Beth Behrs promotes her CBS comedy series "The Neighborhood." David Guetta discusses his new single, "When We Were Young," featuring Kim Petras.
Grammy-winning R&B singer Monica stops by! Black Pumas will perform their latest single "Ice Cream (Pay Phone)" from their album "Chronicles of a Diamond." Jennifer welcomes 4-year-old preschool student Summer and her parents Marvin and Janyl, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Summer is an aspiring surgeon and loves talking about bones, surgical procedures, and anything related to the medical field. She is known online for her dinnertime conversations with her dad, Dr. Marvin Smith (an orthopedic surgeon), where she asks him about the surgeries he performed that day.
Jennifer Hudson gets ready for the Big Game! Musical artist Babyface promotes his album "Girls Night Out."
Donald Faison promtoes his comedy series "Extended Family." Bobby Berk discusses the new season of "Queer Eye" and his Tri Pointe Homes partnership.
Sarah Silverman promotes "Stupid Pet Tricks." Basketball coach "Lethal Shooter" Chris Matthews preps Jennifer for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. Jennifer welcomes Amber Kemp-Gerstel from Miami, Florida, who is a child psychologist turned full-time crafter. She says her "doable-DIY" approach takes away the complication, intimidation, and frustration of crafting and gives you all the info you need to jump headfirst into the DIY life. Amber will do a Valentine's Day-themed crafting demo.
Coco Jones stops by the show for a special Valentine's Day Celebration. Astrologer Jennifer Freed, author of the book "A Map to Your Soul," offers a Valentine's Day astrology demo.
Gina Torres promotes her show "9-1-1: Lone Star." Jennifer welcomes back 5-year-old Lil Mike and his dad, Mike Jones, from Williamsburg, Virginia, who first appeared earlier in the season. Lil Mike showed off his basketball skills and was surprised by Shaq and received tickets to his first NBA game. Since then, he has started learning new skills, and Mike says people still recognize him from being on the show. Lil Mike will help prepare Jennifer to play in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
Billy Gardell discusses his comedy series "Bob Hearts Abishola." Jennifer welcomes Shay Jefferson from Belton, Missouri, who is the founder and Executive Director of Family Resource Center. The nonprofit provides support and resources for families in Missouri and has 12 centers across the state that provide essentials ranging from baby supplies, food, clothes, etc. all free of charge. Shay says fundraising for her nonprofit is a constant struggle and in order to keep the 12 locations open, she doesn't take a salary.
will.i.am discusses his two AI-powered entertainment initiatives, FYI.Ai and Sound Drive. Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt from "100 Day Dream Home" kick off HGTV Week!
HGTV Week continues with Erin & Ben Napier (HGTV's "Home Town"). Page Turner (HGTV's "Rock the Block") stops by. Brandy Clark discusses her self-titled album. Jennifer welcomes Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel from Swannanoa, NC, who recently made headlines as a one-armed D3 college basketball player at Warren Wilson College. Baileigh was born with a birth defect that caused her right arm to not fully develop. She started playing basketball in her freshman year of high school and was unexpectedly cut from the team during her senior year. She was determined to continue her basketball career and made her college team. Baileigh hopes to inspire others and show them that anything is possible.
HGTV Week continues with Egypt Sherrod & Mike Jackson from HGTV's "Married to Real Estate." Sanaa Lathan promotes her new Audible series "The Justice."
HGTV Week continues with Cole & Chelsea DeBoer (HGTV's "Down Home Fab." Kane Brown promotes his In The Air tour and his new single, "I Can Feel It."
HGTV Week continues with Drew & Jonathan Scott (HGTV's "Celebrity IOU"). Dave & Jenny Marrs (HGTV's "Fixer to Fabulous" and "Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano") stop by. Lil Jon discusses his HGTV series "Lil Jon Wants to Do What?" Jennifer welcomes Dr. Theresa Price from Walnut, CA, the Founder and CEO of the National College Resources Foundation and the Black College Expo. The organization's mission is to reduce high school dropout rate and increase enrollment to degree and/or certificate programs among students in underserved and underrepresented communities. For 25 years, Dr. Price has helped over 600,000 students of color get into college and has helped secure over $5 billion in scholarships.
Derek Hough stops by to talk about the "Symphony of Dance" tour. Jennifer welcomes Route 1 founder Marcus Carpenter from Minneapolis, Minnesota, whose organization increases food access and decreases the racial hunger divide by empowering, encouraging, and educating BIPOC farmers. Jennifer is also joined by 11-year-old kid scientist Linda Pistun from Gainesville, Virginia, who founded Linda's Lab, a nonprofit focused on ending world hunger and improving science education in schools. To combat hunger, Linda created a chocolate bar using mealworm protein that she is working to make shelf stable. To help improve science education, she wrote a book called "Linda and the Mysterious Footprints" about girl who uses science to help fix the carbon footprint in her town. She will chat with Jennifer and perform a science demo.
Karen Pittman comes by to discuss her Apple TV+ series "The Morning Show." Jennifer then welcomes teen archers Caelan and Milla Shanklin — the Shanklin Twins — from Castle Rock, Colorado, who both hold state championship titles and records in their state. Jennifer welcomes viral couple Rita Smith and Theodore Smith Sr. from New Orleans, Louisiana, who have gained popularity through Rita's videos, which offer a glimpse inside their love life. The Louisiana native, who has been married to Theodore for four decades, has become a voice of wisdom with her advice on intimacy tips, valuing partnership, fun date nights, and the importance of feminine necessities, including perfume and lingerie. Jennifer welcomes Housing Resources Inc. Board of Directors Vice President Lawanda Chambers from Milwaukee, WI. The nonprofit organization helps individuals and families purchase their own homes. Lawanda who the organization once helped will chat with Jennifer.
"S.W.A.T." star Shemar Moore joins Jennifer in the studio. Jennifer then welcomes teen archers Caelan and Milla Shanklin — the Shanklin Twins — from Castle Rock, Colorado, who both hold state championship titles and records in their state. Caelan is also a national champion and aspires to compete in the 2028 Olympics. They love teaching archery and say it's a sport anyone can become good at, no matter their body type. They will chat with Jennifer and perform a demo.
The legendary Magic Johnson stops by to chat with Jennifer. Nicole Avant, author of the memoir "Think You'll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace and Gratitude," joins Jennifer to chat about her book.
La La Anthony of Starz's "BMF" joins Jennifer in the studio. Plus, Jennifer interviews Nichelle Lewis, who will perform "Home" from the original Broadway musical "The Wiz."
Tichina Arnold from "The Neighborhood" drops by. Jennifer welcomes back David Riherd, the co-founder of Wildlife Learning Center (WLC), a zoological park in Sylmar, California, with baby animals, including baby bunnies and a baby giraffe! WLC cares for more than 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born wild animals. Jennifer welcomes 72-year-old drummer Dorothea Taylor from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Dorothea started playing drums when she was little and has captivated people across the world with her talent. Her grandson helped her start a TikTok during the pandemic, and since has amassed over 1.5 million followers. She will chat with Jennifer and perform.
Ziggy Marley discusses the documentary "Bob Marley: One Love." Pet trainer Brandon McMillan from "Lucky Dog Reunions" brings his furry friends to the show.
Jon Cryer and Abigail Spencer promote "Extended Family." Jennifer welcomes viral professional figure skaters Mariyah Gerber and Peter Gerber from Phoenix, Arizona, who met while performing for Disney on Ice in 2015. When the pandemic hit, they decided to do their routines at home and share the videos online, which have garnered millions of views. Jennifer welcomes Robyn Roberts from Las Vegas, Nevada, who has made headlines for graduating from college at age 63 while working as a truck driver and driving across the country. Most of her studies and schoolwork were done from inside the bed of her semi-truck. Obtaining her bachelor's degree was a big accomplishment for Robyn, as she once struggled with addiction and homelessness and never thought it was possible. She plans to attend law school next year and hopes to inspire others.
Daniel Dae Kim promotes his Netflix series "Avatar: The Last Airbender." Jennifer welcomes Melissa Carnegie from Charlotte, North Carolina, who created Kicks & Fros, a digital lifestyle brand and community that celebrates sneaker culture and Black and Brown women in the space. Melissa says women of color are often overlooked and undervalued in the sneaker world, even though they bring so much to the culture. Through Kicks & Fros, Melissa aims to address the underrepresentation of women in the sneaker world.
Offset visits to chat about his "Set It Off" tour. Jennifer welcomes Daughter Sister Stepper Dancer (DSSD) step coach LaTodda Wallace from Atlanta, Georgia, whose youth program serves ages 4 through college. LaTodda grew up in foster care and says her middle school step coaches saved her life. In 2016, she opened DSSD to provide support and mentorship to girls in her community. Today, LaTodda has helped over 3,000 female youth and their families, and her team has won numerous state and national awards. Jennifer will chat with LaTodda before she is joined by her 7-year-old daughter, Nyala, and two 16-year-olds from the team, Ravyn and Ondreja, who will showcase a few step moves. Governors Ball chef Wolfgang Puck gives an Oscars demo.
James Pickens Jr. will discuss "Grey's Anatomy." Jennifer welcomes Curls on the Block founder Analise Harris from West Covina, CA. As a Black educator in her Colorado school, Analise says she noticed Black students would gravitate toward her and witnessed girls being teased for their natural hair. She created the organization to build a bridge between STEAM and beauty for girls with curly hair. The students in the program learn how to take care of their natural hair while also implementing science and math skills. Jennifer welcomes Olympian Arianna Choi from Orlando, FL, who is the number one rated nine-year-old fencer in the USA and has won fencing competitions coast to coast. She won her first tournament within one week of learning to fence and never looked back. Winning six Gold Medals in her first year of fencing, she added another 16 tournament wins at the end of her second year. She will teach Jennifer how to fence.
"So You Think You Can Dance" judges JoJo Siwa, Allison Holker, and Maksim Chmerkovskiy stop by.
Jesse Palmer will promote "The Bachelor." Shaun Robinson will discuss TLC's "90 Day: The Single Life Tell All." Jennifer welcomes Savaree "Sav" Hazard-Chaney from Providence, RI, who founded Tuft X PVD, a studio space where she teaches the art of tufted rugs and recently opened a brick and mortar. She currently teaches workshops and has been featured in museums and high-end hotels. Savaree will teach Jennifer how to tuft a rug.
Minnie Driver will discuss her new movie "Uproar." Olympic gold medalist and freestyle skier Jonny Moseley stops by. "Love Is Blind" cast members Clay Gravesande, AD Smith, Johnny McIntyre & Amy Cortés reunite on the show.
Boris Kodjoe will promote his ABC drama series "Station 19." Jennifer welcomes viral sensation 4-year-old Christopher Bess and his dad Reginald, from Tarboro, NC, also known as "Coach Chris" for his hilarious videos helping his dad coach high school basketball. Chris became a beloved member of the local sports community and was recently named Youth Coach of the Year. Kate Flannery will discuss her new movie "The Prank" and perform a St. Patrick's Day cooking demo.
Joe Manganiello promotes "Deal or No Deal Island." Jennifer welcomes Dre'Shon Jackson from Florence, SC. Last month, a video of Dre'Shon reacting to his acceptance letter from Harvard University went viral. Dre'Shon said he is being recognized everywhere he goes and is referred to as the local "hero of hope." Dre'Shon says he lives in a rural town that faces a lot of challenges, and he hopes to be a beacon of light and inspiration to the youth in his community. After college, Dre'Shon aspires to be an attorney and politician and hopes to one day give back to his community.
Melissa Rauch discusses "Night Court." Joey Fatone & AJ McLean promote their "A Legendary Night" Tour.
Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, and Renée Elise Goldsberry discuss the new season of "Girls5Eva." Nathalie Emmanuel promotes "Arthur The King."
Toni Braxton & Cedric the Entertainer promote their Las Vegas residency "Love & Laughter." Melissa Benoist, Carla Gugino, Natasha Behnam, and Christina Elmore discuss drama series "The Girls on The Bus."
Phil Keoghan discusses "The Amazing Race." Lisa Rinna stops by.
Alison Brie discusses her new Peacock series "Apples Never Fall." Jennifer welcomes 4-year-old Leila Danai and her mother, Mildred Munjanganja, from Pompano Beach, FL, who went viral for telling her mom about how she stood up to a classmate who told her he didn't like her hairstyle. In the clip, Leila recalls the interaction: "(He said), 'I don't like that hair — it's crazy'. And I said, 'My mommy made it. And if you don't like it, I'll keep it for myself." Mildred and Leila will chat with Jennifer about their story and about the importance of instilling self-confidence at home. Jennifer welcomes Shaniece Jones from Los Angeles, CA, who is a pro closet organizer and declutter expert known as the "closet therapist" by her clients.
Jerrod Carmichael promotes his HBO series "Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show." Jennifer welcomes neuroscientist and popular online content creator Emily McDonald from Fort Lauderdale, FL. While studying neuroscience, Emily found it ironic that neuroscientists knew the importance of mental health, but none of them were taking care of their minds. She decided to apply neuroscience knowledge to help rewire her brain and improve her mental health. After noticing a huge difference in her mood with small changes, she began sharing the tips.
Gina Rodriguez discusses her ABC series "Not Dead Yet." Carla Hall ("Chasing Flavor") will perform a cooking demo. Jennifer welcomes Jenn Drummond from Park City, UT, a mom of seven who recently made history by becoming the first woman to climb the Seven Second Summits. After recovering from a bad car accident in 2018, Jenn was inspired to climb a mountain for her 40th birthday. She began training, and eventually decided to set a world record and climb the Seven Second Summits, which she completed last summer. Jenn's new book, BreakProof, was released in January and she just returned from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with three of her sons.
Kenya Barris discusses his BET+ series "Diarra From Detroit." Jamie Kern Lima promotes her book "Worthy."
Spring Celebration! Jenna Dewan promotes her ABC series "The Rookie." Jennifer welcomes Kina Evans from Hayward, CA. Kina is a middle school special education teacher at Caesar Chavez Middle School and founder of Bully Talk Inc., a nonprofit organization that equips kids with tools and leadership skills to decrease bullying and create positive practices. Kina has been a teacher for 5 years and says she is motivated and inspired by her students daily. She calls her students her babies and constantly goes out of pocket to provide them with anything they need.
Bill Bellamy promotes his upcoming comedy tour. Jennifer welcomes Tyara Lee from Upland, CA. Despite facing adversity as a foster youth in Compton, Tyara defied expectations and financed her education through four jobs. Overcoming instability, she credits her resilience to her faith and capacity for forgiveness. In 2018, Tyara founded She Is Foundation Network, a nonprofit aiding women with housing, employment, financial literacy, and empowerment, drawing from her own experiences. Jennifer welcomes Asjia O'Neal from Dallas, TX who made history in December as the #1 draft pick for America's first professional volleyball league, launched in 2024. Asjia gained fame for leading the Texas Longhorns to consecutive championship wins in 2022 & 2023. Despite overcoming two open-heart surgeries, she aims to secure a spot in the Paris Olympics. Asjia will teach Jennifer how to play volleyball on the show.
Tarek El Moussa discusses his television show "Flip Your Life: How to Find Opportunities in Distress." Jennifer welcomes Andini Makosinski, a young inventor and Gen Z financial expert. Most recently, Andini has taken on the role of on-screen host for the second season of her show 'Your World On Money.'
Sara Gilbert chats about her sitcom "The Conners." Jennifer welcomes Alex George from Philadelphia, PA. Alex is a TikTok creator on a quest to make every chocolate chip cookie recipe on the internet. She is documenting her baking journey on a spreadsheet with ratings, effort, comments, and links to the recipes. Alex will teach Jennifer how to make chocolate chip cookies on the show.
Patton Oswalt discusses his movie "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire." Jennifer welcomes 20-month-old Zoey Cartagena and her parents Alexis and Tony from Maplewood, NJ. A video of Zoey pointing to her skin and saying "so pretty" recently went viral. As a bi-racial couple, Alexis says it is imperative to teach her daughter the importance of loving the skin she's in. The couple gets emotional when talking about the struggles they faced expanding their family and said Zoey is their ‘miracle baby.' Alexis and Tony said the viral video is a reminder of the importance of pouring into young girls, and the love and positivity surrounding the video means the world to them.
"Abbott Elementary" creator and star Quinta Brunson stops by to kick off "Abbott Elementary" Week on "The Jennifer Hudson Show." Author and social media personality Tabitha Brown joins us to discuss her book "I Did a Thing: 30 Days to Living Free." Jennifer then welcomes Deanna Dixon, a single mom and full-time rideshare driver from Atlanta, Georgia. Known as the "RideShare Queen" on social media, Deanna's viral videos, which combine carpool karaoke, cab confessions, and life talk, have amassed over 20 million views. Her goal is to make sure passengers leave feeling better than when they arrived.
Tyler James Williams from "Abbott Elementary" stops by. Dorian Missick stops by to talk about his new film, "Shirley," a biopic about trailblazing politician Shirley Chisholm. Jennifer welcomes Ford McLiney from Kansas City, Missouri, a high-level athlete who has found solace in diving amid struggles with his sexuality. Encouraged by an online friendship with openly gay swimmer Ryan Dafforn, Ford now works as a recruiter and diving coach, aiming to support other athletes.
Janelle James and William Stanford Davis from "Abbott Elementary" stop by the studio. Jennifer then welcomes Bryan Ross from Beaumont, California, a P.E. teacher and coach at Ánimo Venice Charter High School. His wife, Janet, wrote to celebrate Bryan's dedication to mentoring and coaching students in a Title 1 school. As a Watts neighborhood native, Bryan is driven by the area's challenges to give back through education, offering life experiences to bridge the gap for underserved communities.
"Abbott Elementary" stars Sheryl Lee Ralph and Chris Perfetti visit the show. Jennifer then welcomes Scripps National Spelling Bee winner Dev Shah from Largo, Florida. Next, Anthony Sanchez from Fort Worth, Texas, stops by to chat with Jennifer. Anthony was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident seven months before the birth of his daughter Mia. Anthony believes his daughter's birth turned his life around. Dubbed "Wheelchair Papi," he's become a social media sensation, raising awareness for the wheelchair community, offering support, and inspiring others to thrive despite challenges.
Lisa Ann Walter from "Abbott Elementary" stops by. Chef Kwame joins Jennifer in a cooking demo. Jennifer welcomes 17-year-old Dr. Dorothy Tillman from Chicago, Illinois, who recently made headlines for earning her Ph.D. in Integrated Behavioral Health from Arizona State University. Dr. Tillman's educational journey includes earning her associate degree at age 10, her bachelor's degree at age 12, and her master's degree by age 14. In 2020, she founded the DorothyJeanius STEAM Leadership Institute for Kids in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. Despite her impressive accomplishments, she considers herself an average teenager and is currently preparing for prom.
Nikki and Brie Garcia from "The Nikki & Brie Show" join us in studio. "The Bachelor" alum, author, and financial expert Jason Tartick discusses his book "Talk Money to Me."
Iain Armitage, Montana Jordan, Raegan Revord, Lance Barber, Zoe Perry, Annie Potts, and Emily Osment from "Young Sheldon" stop by for a visit. Jennifer also welcomes Linda Piston, a child science prodigy from Gainesville, Virginia. At 11 years old, she likens her school life to the TV show "Young Sheldon." Piston founded Linda's Lab, a nonprofit focused on two goals: ending world hunger and improving science education. She was recently named the national STEM champion for her research on mealworms, showing they can digest Styrofoam and complete their life cycle.
Singer Sheryl Crow chats with Jennifer about her new album, "Evolution." Sabrina Elba from S'ABLE Labs Skincare also stops by. Jennifer then welcomes Dr. Luke Wood of Sacramento, California. Last July, he became permanent president of Sacramento State, the youngest among all the nation's public four-year colleges and universities. Despite facing adversity, including being born while his biological mother was incarcerated, growing up in foster care, and facing housing and food insecurities, Dr. Wood graduated from college, crediting Sac State's support. Now, he aims to boost graduation rates for former foster youth, launching the Black Honors College initiative.
As part of our Legend Series, the iconic Rita Moreno joins Jennifer to talk about her film "The Prank." Dance superstars and brothers Val and Maks Chmerkovskiy visit. Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton discusses the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation (ScottCares.org), which funds innovative cancer research.
"Saturday Night Live" star Ego Nwodim stops by. Jennifer welcomes Dakota Patton, a 6-year-old makeup artist from Savannah, Georgia. Known for her remarkable talent in special effects makeup, Dakota has garnered widespread attention online. Her journey into the world of makeup began at the age of 3, and her favorite canvas is her younger sister, Dylan. Dakota is the youngest person to conduct a live demonstration at the International Make-Up Artists Trade Show. Jennifer also welcomes Kelli Ritschel Boehle from Rockford, Illinois. In 2010, Kelli's youngest son, Nik, was diagnosed with cancer just before his 18th birthday. Nik was granted a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. When Nik discovered that individuals over 17 do not qualify for wishes, he was determined to change that. The night before he passed in 2012, Nik asked his mother to help, and The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation — also known as Nik's Wish, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — was born.
"Lopez vs. Lopez" star George Lopez joins Jennifer in the studio. Golda Rosheuvel, "Bridgerton's" Queen Charlotte, stops by. Jennifer welcomes Jack Dalton of Manchester, New Hampshire. Jack, an eighth-grade student, animal activist, public speaker, author, and educational YouTuber, is known as the "Kid Conservationist" for his dedicated work in orangutan conservation. In 2022, he won the President's Environmental Youth Award and was a Top 20 finalist for the 2020 TIME Kid of the Year. Passionate about environmental preservation, Jack advocates for treating every day as Earth Day. He aspires to inspire both children and adults to adopt a more eco-conscious lifestyle.
Giancarlo Esposito stops by to discuss his two new series, "Parish" and "The Gentlemen."
Elisabeth Moss visits the show to talk about her new spy thriller series, "The Veil." Jennifer welcomes Ossiereen "Ms. Ojay" Jones of Lawrenceville, Georgia. Ms. Ojay reached out to share her journey as a Black small business owner. At the onset of the pandemic, she noticed a void in her community — the absence of a Christian bookstore and a secure gathering spot for locals. In response, she established Rejoice Christian Bookstore in 2021. Despite encountering challenges, Ms. Ojay finds solace in the knowledge that she's positively impacting lives. Jennifer chats with professional grocery store taste-tester Jordan Myrick of Los Angeles, California. Jordan and her colleagues specialize in researching and taste-testing grocery store items nationwide. Their evaluations consider factors such as taste, price, and accessibility to rank products effectively. Jordan showcases some of the top-rated products she has sampled and guides Jennifer through a tasting experience.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, host of the podcast "Dinner's On Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson," stops by the studio. Milla Jovovich chats with Jennifer about co-starring together in the new action thriller movie "Breathe." Jennifer welcomes Russ, Melody, Taysia, and Rylan Stein of Los Angeles, the founders of pi00a, an Asian-, deaf-, and CODA-owned pizza restaurant. Melody, the mom, is deaf and had trouble finding work in the culinary space. Seeing the need for change, her family opened pi00a and only employ deaf workers. Their business aims to shift perceptions about deaf employees and facilitate greater job opportunities for them in the culinary field.
Zendaya drops by to chat about playing a tennis coach in her new feature film, "Challengers." Jennifer welcomes Angelica May and Imeek Watkins from Wilmington, North Carolina, who recently gained attention following a viral video capturing Imeek's proposal to Angelica after she completed her final cancer treatment surrounded by family, friends, and their community. High school sweethearts, Angelica and Imeek recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary. Although Angelica's diagnosis of stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer last year was a difficult journey, the couple is now celebrating Angelica being cancer-free.
Mike Epps from "The Upshaws" stops by. Jennifer then welcomes Jonna Mendez of Reston, Virginia, a former CIA chief of disguise often likened to "Q" from the James Bond novels. Jonna served in the CIA from 1966 to 1993, mastering clandestine photography and disguises in some of the world's most perilous cities and earning the CIA's Intelligence Commendation Medal. Her memoir, "In True Face," released this month, recounts her career as a female operations officer in the CIA. Jonna is now an author, lecturer, and consultant on intelligence matters.
"Grey's Anatomy" stars Kim Raver, Caterina Scorsone, and Camilla Luddington visit the show. Next, siblings Biko, Manna, and Mfundo Nhlangothi from the viral musical group Biko's Manna stop by. Jennifer then welcomes Joy Lindsay from Gary, Indiana. Joy is the founder and CEO of Butterfly Dreamz, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on mentoring girls from underserved communities to become leaders and achieve their goals. Established in 2012 after her sister Kimberly died from gun violence, the organization honors Kimberly's life and belief in the potential of women and girls. Many Butterfly Dreamz mentees go on to be first-generation college graduates and community leaders. Joy is currently pursuing her master's degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Jennifer interviews Grammy Award-winning icon Cher! Next, Jennifer welcomes the Snelson family from McKinney, Texas. Ashley and her husband Theron are huge fans of Jennifer's and wrote to the show hoping to win a fun vacation for their family. Together since eighth grade, the couple has five children: Kenedi, Tre, Chase, Creed, and Zoe. Five years ago, they opened a "microschool" and a nonprofit to help kids and families in their community. They love to spend time together as a family and go above and beyond giving back.
Country music legend and "The Voice" coach Reba McEntire is in the house! Ray and Eilyn Jimenez from HGTV's "Divided by Design" also join Jennifer in the studio. Next, Jennifer welcomes Vincent Palmer from Dayton, Ohio, a 3-year-old presidential expert who can recite the names and order of service of each U.S. president. His fascination began with a president-themed book he received as a birthday gift, which quickly became his prized possession. Vincent is also an avid sports fan, cheering for the Cincinnati Reds and the University of Dayton Flyers basketball team. Vincent dreams of either becoming the president or a sports announcer for the Flyers. Jennifer also welcomes Dr. Mahalia Hines, who is promoting her new book, "Tomorrow's Children: How to Raise Children to Stay Human in a High-Tech Society."
Hannah Waddingham stops by to chat about "The Fall Guy" and "The Garfield Movie." Jennifer then welcomes Kay Cox of Houston, Texas, a kid golfer who recently went viral for hitting her first hole-in-one — a feat with odds of 1 in 12,500 for adults. She took up golf in 2020 after being inspired by an LPGA Tour commercial and has quickly risen to prominence in the sport. Kay was even among 12 girls invited to the U.S. Women's Open. Jennifer also chats with Larry Farrish Jr. of Louisville, Kentucky, a school bus driver who loves his job. He currently serves nine public schools and says the students are like his children. Last month, a story of Larry buying PJs for a student who didn't have them for Pajama Day went viral. Larry regularly goes above and beyond for the kids, buying them clothes, shoes, backpacks, and food, and being a friend to them. He says the children face a lot when they are not in his care, so he does whatever he can to lend a helping hand.
Singer Meghan Trainor stops by to chat about her new album, "Timeless." Jennifer also welcomes Nexstar's Remarkable Women to the show.
Hannah Einbinder and Paul W. Downs from "Hacks" visit the studio. Jennifer then welcomes Mark Raymond Jr. from New Orleans, Louisiana. Mark is the founder and CEO of The Split Second Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the first adaptive gym in Louisiana. The foundation is dedicated to helping individuals with disabling conditions transition from inpatient rehabilitation back into society, with a focus on mental health support. Inspired by his own experience after a shallow diving accident in 2016, which resulted in a broken neck and paralysis, Mark opened the gym in 2021. To date, Mark has supported hundreds of families, who say his foundation is "life-changing."
The cast of "UnPrisoned" — Kerry Washington, Delroy Lindo, Faly Rakotohavana, Jee Young Han, Marque Richardson and Jordyn McIntosh — are in the studio! Gospel legend CeCe Winans also stops by to talk about her newest album, "More Than This." Jennifer then welcomes public speaker and middle school substitute teacher Cindy Noir from Atlanta, Georgia. Last year, Cindy shared a TikTok about how "UnPrisoned" impacted her personal healing journey. Describing the show as a "whole therapy session," she revealed that the storyline helped her reconcile with her then-estranged father by seeing herself in Kerry Washington's character and gaining empathy for her father through Delroy Lindo's role. Jennifer then visits mom of three, Cricut expert, and content creator Joy Green from Houston, Texas.
The multi-talented Sherri Shepherd, star of "Sherri," is in the studio. Jennifer then welcomes Autumn Goodman, a teacher from Rolling Hills Elementary in Orlando, Florida. Autumn has garnered 5.7 million likes on TikTok, frequently going viral for her "Day in the Life of an Art Teacher" vlogs. She works with many students from challenging home environments and believes that art serves as an equalizer, opening up entirely new worlds for them. Despite the challenges of limited funding and the high cost of art supplies, Autumn often pays out of pocket to provide for her classroom.
Actress and best-selling author Valerie Bertinelli visits to discuss her new cookbook, "Indulge: Delicious and Decadent Dishes to Enjoy and Share." Olympic figure skater, actress, and TV commentator Tara Lipinski also stops by. Jennifer welcomes NICU nurses Taylor and Drew Deras from Omaha, Nebraska, to the show. The married couple recently made headlines by adopting 3-year-old Ella, a patient they cared for at work as her primary nurses. Born prematurely in May 2021, Ella faced numerous health challenges. When Ella became a ward of the state in December 2021, the couple stepped in as her foster parents, eventually adopting her in November 2023. Now a happy and thriving toddler, Ella has overcome significant health issues. Taylor and Drew describe their unexpected journey to parenthood as the greatest joy of their lives.
Jurnee Smollett, the star of "We Grown Now," stops by the studio. Next, Jennifer welcomes the cast of "All American" — Bre-Z, Daniel Ezra, Greta Onieogou, Michael Evans Behling, Monet Mazur, and Samantha Logan. Jennifer also chats with Brittany Love from Los Angeles, California. Brittany is an artist and DJ who happens to be obsessed with the show "All American."
Chris Stapleton is in the house to talk about his new album, "Higher," and his upcoming "All-American Road Show" tour. Jennifer also welcomes etiquette expert Myka Meier from New York, New York.
The hilarious Wanda Sykes from "The Upshaws" discusses her "Please & Thank You" comedy tour. Jennifer then welcomes father and daughter Chris Locke from Newark, Delaware, and Kat Locke-Jones, 33, from Baltimore, Maryland. Together, they founded the Sean Locke Foundation in 2018 after losing their son/brother Sean Locke to suicide. The foundation provides mental health resources for kids in high school all the way through college. They also have Sean's House, a home that provides in-person support 24/7 for young adults to talk about mental health or substance use challenges with other young adult peer specialists who have lived experience with similar challenges.
Dulé Hill visits to discuss his PBS documentary series "The Express Way with Dulé Hill." Jennifer highlights the national tour of "MJ the Musical." Jennifer then warmly welcomes identical twin sisters Cherry and Sherry Wilmore from Houma, Louisiana. Fondly dubbed "everybody's favorite twins" by their community, Cherry and Sherry are known for their compassionate hearts and vibrant personalities. Placed in foster care at age 6, they have weathered numerous challenges but have always relied on their unbreakable bond to navigate difficult times together. Last year, they established the nonprofit organization CHeriSH Times Two — a blend of their names — to empower and support foster youth.
Former star of "The Bachelorette" Tyler Cameron stops by to discuss his new house renovation series, "Going Home with Tyler Cameron." Jennifer then welcomes viral father-and-daughter duo Jay and Tatum Galberth from Washington, D.C. Jay is the founder of "Dads Do It Too," which promotes positivity about fatherhood and spotlights amazing dads online. The pair first went viral in February after posting a video of themselves singing to Muni Long's "Made for Me," earning attention from celebrities like Michelle Obama, Will Smith, and Mary J. Blig
Renowned rapper Fat Joe visits the studio and chats about Rewind It 10 hair color for men. South Korean girl group Le Sserafim — Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha, and Hong Eun-chae — are here with their hit "Smart."
Diane Lane, star of "A Man in Full" and "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans," stops by. Jennifer also welcomes fourth-grade teacher Marcus Bornslater, aka "Mr. B," from Dallas, Texas. The José "Joe" May Elementary School teacher often goes viral on Instagram and TikTok for his good looks and fashion sense, and he has become very popular among the students, staff, and community. Many of his students face tough lives, including homelessness and broken homes. Recognizing the need for a positive role model, Marcus created a safe space for his students. He keeps his classroom stocked with snacks, deodorant, and hygiene products. For Christmas, Marcus bought each student an item from their wish lists.
The incomparable Shonda Rhimes is in the studio as Season 3 of the wildly popular "Bridgerton" kicks off. "The Cleaning Lady" star Élodie Yung chats about her drama series. Jennifer then welcomes "The 50" documentary director Brenton Gieser, retired correctional officer Sol Irving, and "The 50" member Cameron Clark. "The 50" explores the stories of 50 men serving life sentences in a dangerously overcrowded and drug-saturated prison in California. The men took part in the groundbreaking Offender Mentor Certificate Program and became the first incarcerated substance abuse counselors in the country. The group radically transformed the culture of their prison system, and many have been paroled and are now creating change in their communities and beyond.
Ernie Hudson is in the studio to chat with Jennifer about his TV show "The Family Business."
Comedian and actor Jay Pharoah is in the studio to talk about hosting his new game show, "The Quiz with Balls." Country singer (and Beyoncé collaborator) Tanner Adell stops by to chat about "Whiskey Blues."
Mindy Kaling sits down with Jennifer to discuss skin care line Lion Pose. Next, Jennifer visits with Cameron Brink, Dearica Hamby, Lexie Brown, and Rickea Jackson from the Los Angeles Sparks basketball team.
The iconic Pam Grier stops by to talk about Season 2 of her TV series "Them: The Scare." Jennifer then chats with second-grader Bailey Butts and first-graders Ashton Tyler and Bella Baker of Los Angeles, California, for a "Words from the Wise: Kids Edition" segment. Next, Jennifer welcomes award-winning chef Keith Corbin from Los Angeles. Prior to owning Alta Adams restaurant, Keith faced many challenges. He was raised in Watts and was in and out of prison for 10-plus years before he decided to change the trajectory of his life. Since his release in 2014, Keith has obtained a certificate of rehabilitation from Los Angeles County and uses his experience to give back to others. Keith only hires staff who wouldn't be given a chance anywhere else and says his restaurant is a place for community.
Bestselling author Sarah Jakes Roberts is here to talk about her book "Power Moves: Igniting Your Confidence and Becoming a Force."
Actor and singer Ben Platt stops by to talk about his third album, "Honeymind." Malika Andrews from ESPN's "NBA Today" and "NBA Countdown" also visits. Jennifer then chats with kid surfer AJ Iredell from Carlsbad, California. AJ, a regional champion who has been surfing since he was 3 years old, is a beloved member of the local surf community. He's also passionate about teaching others about the sport. Every year, he volunteers with the nonprofit Waves of Impact, which offers free surf camps for kids in need. Several of the campers come back annually to see AJ and say it's the best part of their year. Jennifer also welcomes back cancer survivor Phyllis Wright and her daughter, Imanni, from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, as they share an update on their lives.
The talented Morris Chestnut discusses his TV series "Diarra from Detroit." Next, "The Golden Bachelor" alums and "Golden Hour" podcast hosts Kathy Swarts and Susan Noles are in the studio.
Glen Powell is here to chat about his new noir comedy film "Hit Man." Next, "Hacks" star Carl Clemons-Hopkins stops by to talk about the hit series. Jennifer then welcomes stand-up comedian Jon Laster from Brooklyn, New York, who founded Blapp — the Black Shopping App.
Shay Mitchell visits to discuss her MAX series "Thirst with Shay Mitchell," where she explores drinks from around the world. "Divided by Design" stars Ray and Eilyn Jimenez also stop by.
The hilarious Ron Funches is here to talk about his TV series "Loot." Jennifer then welcomes Akayla Joseph from Houston, Texas, who teaches first grade at Winship Elementary, a Title I school where 100% of the students receive free breakfast and lunch. Akayla loves her students like family, attends every event and birthday party, and regularly goes out of pocket for them. Outside of helping with basic necessities, her favorite items to give her students are books. Since the pandemic, Akayla has been taking her students on "virtual field trips" and posts their adventures online. She also leads daily affirmations with her class and says the most important takeaway from her classroom is to "be kind."
The iconic star of "The Jeffersons" and "227" Marla Gibbs stops by to chat about her new role in the series "Not Dead Yet." Jennifer then welcomes engaged couple Samuel Evans and Tateona Adams from Chicago, Illinois. Together, Samuel and Tateona have a blended family of five sons: Devan, Tristan, Demari, Carter, and Josiah. Samuel grew up with two brothers in a rough neighborhood in Chicago. He decided to break the cycle with his own children, teaching them love and respect toward one's family is above all else. Each morning, the boys do a group hug before their youngest brother gets on the school bus. They also make videos to wish a great day to their followers online to spread love and positivity.
Country star Mickey Guyton is in the studio with her new single "Make It Me." "American Idol" winner and fellow country crooner Scotty McCreery also stops by to chat about his new album, "Rise & Fall." Then, expert floral designer Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht is here to talk about his new book, "Flower Love: Lush Floral Arrangements for the Heart and Home."
Retired Major League Baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez is here to talk about owning the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, plus why he's teaming up with OraPharma. The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner also stops by. Jennifer then welcomes actor and content creator Ulysses "Uly" Morazan, who recently posted a video explaining football for Taylor Swift fans to learn the sport. Ulysses will chat with Jennifer about his findings.
Ms. Pat from "Ms. Pat Settles It" is here to talk about her comedy tour "Ya Girl Done Made It." Jennifer then welcomes viral dancer 6-year-old Salomé Rivas ("Baby Salo") from Miami, Florida, who is known for her videos dancing to Latin music, especially reggaeton. Several of the biggest Latin music stars have reposted Salomé, who is originally from Venezuela, including Karol G. Jennifer also welcomes professor and The Princess Within Foundation founder Dr. Bernada Baker, and her 6-year-old daughter Bella Baker, from Houston, Texas. In 2017, Bernada moved to the Houston area from Chicago, and then Hurricane Harvey hit. Bernada helped with recovery efforts and raised money for a displaced dad and his baby daughter, Bella. She saw Bella's dad needed support and her father recognized he couldn't provide Bella the life she deserved. Bernada offered to adopt her and says adopting Bella has changed her life in the best way possible.
