Jennifer Hudson's Chicago book signing

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Photos from actress-singer Jennifer Hudson's Chicago book signing, Jan. 2012.

Oscar- and Grammy-winning performer Jennifer Hudson poses with her memoir, "I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down, " Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012 in Chicago.

In the book, Hudson tells the story of her meteoric career rise, how she keeps a level head and what inspired her amazing weight loss success on the Weight Watchers program.

Hudson recounts getting rejected by Barry Manilow for a back-up singing job at age 19 when she was an unhealthy 256 pounds. "You have to do it for yourself," not to please others, she said of making the decision to lose weight. "I know what it's like for people judge you or not like you." - Rodney Ho, AJC

What you won't find in the book -- any reference to the 2008 murders of her mother, brother and nephew. It's still too painful for her to discuss in public. "That was not even an option," she said. "If it had been, there would have been no book." - Rodney Ho, AJC

The first 200 fans got the chance to meet the singer-actress and get their book autographed.

Hudson performs during the BET Honors at the Warner Theatre in Washington Jan. 14, showing off her trim figure.

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Oscar- and Grammy-winning performer Jennifer Hudson poses with her memoir, "I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down, " Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012 in Chicago.

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