"Precious" made unknown actress Gabourey Sidibe a star, but she wasn't director Lee Daniels' first choice for the role.
In her book, "I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down," Jennifer Hudson says she was offered the part of the obese, abused young mother first -- but turned it down.
The reason? She didn't want to be defined by a role where she gained weight.
"I had done that with Effie ... and as much as I was moved by this film ... I wanted to try a role that had nothing whatsoever to do with my weight,” Jennifer wrote.
Jennifer's loss was Gabourey's gain -- Gabourey's powerful performance garnered her an Academy Award nomination for her very first film (just like Jennifer).
Jennifer went on to star in "Sex and the City" and "The Secret Life of Bees."
