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The Jennifer Hudson Show‘s Spirit Tunnel has given us a lifetime of memes, gems and moments.
Like everyone else who’s chronically online, I’ve been mesmerized by the Spirit Tunnel videos, where the show’s crew transforms into a cheer squad welcoming celebrity guests into the studio. And the stars are loving it too, grooving and shaking their way down the hall. Coupled with well-crafted chants that are unexpected earworms, the whole bit is impossible not to love.
If you’re just discovering these, I’ve made it easy for you and compiled all the must-watch Spirit Tunnels, ranked from No. 1 to 15. If you’re already familiar, well, enjoy having the True Jackson, VP theme song stuck in your head for another week.
Aaron Pierre
“Aaron. Pierre. That’s Mufasa!” These four simple words will replay in your head for weeks, accompanied by the image of Aaron Pierre romping down the hallway. The video went so viral that Jennifer Hudson featured it on her main show segment “Found It on the Jen-ternet” — with no introduction necessary.
Gwen Stefani
If there were any song made for the Spirit Tunnel, it would be “Hollaback Girl.” Naturally, when Gwen Stefani appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show, she received a warm welcome from the crew, who adapted her iconic “B-A-N-A-N-A-S” chant.
Brenda Song
Brenda Song’s Spirit Tunnel paid homage to her Disney roots, with the crew riffing over the melody to Suite Life of Zack and Cody‘s theme song. The appreciation and nostalgia were clear on Song’s face — and we’re glad we got to see her prance through the hall in the most glorious pair of bell-bottom jeans.
Shemar Moore
Some people fell in love with Shemar Moore on The Young and the Restless. Some people love him because of Criminal Minds. And some, like me, were totally enchanted by his Spirit Tunnel and the surprisingly cutesy energy he brought. Like, did anyone guess he would end his Spirit Tunnel with a hand-heart?
Keke Palmer
If anyone is America’s Sweetheart, it’s Keke Palmer. From front to back, this entire Spirit Tunnel is immaculate, starting with Keke’s famous Met Gala quote to her responding, “You know it’s your girl!” And whoever’s idea it was to interpolate the melody of the True Jackson, VP theme song deserves a raise.
Angela Bassett
The OG Spirit Tunnel. The one that started it all. Although the chant is only repeating “Angela Bassett,” it’s made 10 times better by the fact that you can tell she didn’t know it was coming. Plus, there’s something about “Angela Angela Bassett” that makes you want to clap along too.
Bellamy Young
The Spirit Tunnel is at its best when it takes timeless songs and using them for beloved celebrities. Case in point: Setting “Forever Young” by Alphaville to Bellamy Young’s walk down the hall. For Scandal lovers, it’s always nice to see President Mellie Grant let loose.
Michelle Obama
Every employee in the building showed up to welcome former First Lady Michelle Obama into the studio — or “the happy place,” as the cheer called it. And we got to see Michelle Obama busting a move, so really, no notes.
Alfonso Ribeiro
Carlton’s still got it! Alfonso Ribeiro visited the studio and brought his dance moves to the Spirit Tunnel, showing exactly why he ran away with the trophy on Dancing with the Stars..
Chris Perfetti
Who knew Jacob from Abbott Elementary had moves? The first five seconds of Chris Perfetti’s Spirit Tunnel had me (and 3.2 million TikTok users) hooked as he got low to the crew chanting his name.
“I wasn’t familiar with his game,” one user wrote in the comments.
Damon Wayans Sr. and Damon Wayans Jr.
Good looks are passed down — and so are dance moves, as evidenced by Damon Wayans Sr. and Damon Wayans Jr.’s synchronized shimmying onto the mainstage. A generational TikTok in every sense of the word, if you will.
SZA
As expected, SZA instantly locked in when she approached the Spirit Tunnel. Even though we weren’t blessed with The J. Hud Show’s take on a SZA hit like “Kill Bill” or “Snooze,” the singer easily commanded the camera as she danced down the hall.
Kathryn Hahn
When Agatha Harkness herself arrived to The Jennifer Hudson Show, it was a no-brainer to soundtrack her Spirit Tunnel to the show’s iconic “Ballad of the Witches’ Road.” Kathryn Hahn was fully getting into it, interacting with the staff on the sidelines and saying, “I’m never leaving!”
Usher
One thing about Usher, he’s going to deliver a show everywhere he goes. For his Spirit Tunnel, he gave an impromptu one-minute performance on roller skates to a rendition of “Yeah!” Are you not entertained?
BLACKPINK’s Jennie
Jennie just touched down in L.A., and she paraded through the Spirit Tunnel to the tune of her song “Mantra.” With 40.3 million views on TikTok, Jennie’s walk has everyone tuning in to take notes on the pretty girl mantra.
Honorable Mention: Jennifer Hudson Herself!
Of course, The Jennifer Hudson Show‘s Spirit Tunnel round-up wouldn’t be complete without the hostest with the mostest herself. Even in a 30-second clip strutting onto the mainstage, she has so much aura.
Honorable Mention for Doing Their Best: ‘No Good Deed’ Cast
Bless Lisa Kudrow and the rest of the No Good Deed stars. The tune was good (who doesn’t love “YMCA”?), but aside from Teyonah Parris and O-T Fagbenle, the cast seemed a little confused about what to do with themselves. They were happy to be there, though.
Best of Benny Blanco
There was no dancing from Benny Blanco in the Spirit Tunnel, and he seemed a little overwhelmed at the top of the hallway — but he still turned on the charm, sweetly handing out flowers to the crew standing on the sidelines. And in Benny fashion, the producer walked into the studio barefoot.
Best That Never Was: Noah Wyle
Noah Wyle opted out of the Spirit Tunnel, and during his interview, Hudson asked him why he chose not to participate. The ER star explained he had a failed break-dancing attempt at a classmate’s bat mitzvah in 1984 and has since sworn off “public dance.”
Despite his reluctance, we’re sure The Pitt actor would have nailed the segment — even if he needed to “babystep it” like he suggested for the next time.
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