Jennifer Hudson knows she has something special with her viral Spirit Tunnels.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE recently about her HomeGoods Finding Time Off campaign, the 43-year-old Grammy winner and Jennifer Hudson Show host shared how her beloved, hyped-up videos came to be.
“They used to do it for me as I would come out, and I’m like, ‘Y’all, we need to be showing this to the world. Show it!’ ” she said of her staff creating the walkway and custom chants.
“And it took a life of its own,” Hudson told PEOPLE.
She credits the success to viewers and guests understanding “it is out of love.”
“It is from the heart. It’s good energy. And all we want to do is celebrate everybody when you come to the show,” the Respect star said. “If you want to dance in the spiritual dance, if, you know, it’s your moment. You know what I mean? So I wanted to create a safe space for everybody to be able to come to and we’ve been blessed to be able to all do it together.”
One of the most notable Spirit Tunnels to date just might be: “Aaron. Pierre. That’s Mufasa!”
In a January TikTok posted to The Jennifer Hudson Show’s official account, the 30-year-old actor is seen making his way down a hall before heading out onstage to be interviewed.
As he walks, a group of Hudson’s devoted employees from all departments line the halls rhythmically repeating the four words as the star dances to the beat. The clip has more than 6.2 million likes.
Brenda Song also starred in a viral hall walk in March. She paused halfway through her dance, becoming visibly surprised as she realized her personalized song was a nod to her former role on Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
Other Spirit Tunnel guests include Gwen Stefani, Shemar Moore, former first lady Michelle Obama, Usher on roller skates, Benny Blanco and more.
“I think we all love what we do and [it creates] a nice, safe environment for people to be, because how we get to be our best,” Hudson told PEOPLE of the atmosphere at her show.
“I’ve always considered everything a family affair. It’s nothing to be grumpy or vicious about if you’re doing what you love,” Hudson added. “And everybody is, as I say, in their superpowers. They’re doing what they love, and we have a good time doing it. And I think the Spirit Tunnel and the energy that we give is a reflection of it.”
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Last month, The Jennifer Hudson Show took home its very first Webby Award for Social Video — Short Form (TV & Film) thanks to the viral Spirit Tunnels.
The awards were created to honor the best in digital content, recognizing innovation and excellence across the internet. The ceremony will take place Monday, May 12, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York.
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