Jennifer Hudson, former American Idol contestant and Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winner for DREAMGIRLS will appear in a multi-episode arc when the show comes back in spring for 2013.  According the THR Hudson will play Veronica Moore, a Tony-winning Broadway star, who will have a major impact on the lives of Karen (Katherine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty)

NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said ”We’re thrilled to have Jennifer Hudson coming to ‘Smash.’” “This series is a showcase for some of the best musical talent in the business and that’s a fitting description for Jennifer Hudson. Her character will represent someone who reached her Broadway dream, but also paid a price for it.”

Hudson will join several Broadway stars including recent Tony Winner Christian Borle (he won for his role in the play ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’) and Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan.

While FOX president Kevin Reilly would neither confirm or deny Demi coming on board, we hear FOX is planning to formally introduce both Lavato and pop superstar Britney Spears during this afternoon’s FOX Upfront Presentation.

Britney Spears, who reportedly signed a $15 million contact was confirmed last month as the one of two new judges coming on board after both Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger were let go.

THE X-FACTOR ended their first season with a 4.2 in the ratings and will kick off their second season this fall on FOX acting as a lead in for the forth season of GLEE which is moving to the 9pm Thursday slot.