Jude Demorest has certainly come a long way, and her journey to stardom is nothing short of inspiring. You see, Jude Demorest first gained widespread recognition in the lead role of the Lee Daniels-created series Star, which premiered on Fox in 2016 and quickly became a fan favorite. But before Jude Demorest landed that breakthrough part, she spent years grinding away, building her craft from the ground up.
Born and raised in Detroit, Jude Demorest—then known as Claire Demorest—showed an early passion for the arts. At just ten years old, she enrolled in the prestigious Winans Academy of Performing Arts, where she trained for six years. While she was honing her skills there, much of her real-world experience came from performing at Perfecting Church, a place she said she attended almost every single day. That kind of dedication clearly laid the foundation for what was to come.
By the time she was 16, Jude Demorest had made the bold move to Los Angeles to chase her dreams. She started out taking gigs as a dancer and backup singer—humble beginnings, sure, but essential stepping stones. Things began to shift when she caught the attention of L.A. Reid, the legendary producer and former head of Epic Records, who signed her to the label. But even before releasing her own album, Jude Demorest dove into songwriting, teaming up with Ammo—real name Joshua Coleman—who’d already crafted hits for stars like Beyoncé and Sean Paul.
And honestly, that collaboration changed everything—for more than one reason. First, a song they co-wrote, “Work From Home,” became a massive hit for Fifth Harmony, marking Jude Demorest’s first taste of chart success. Second, the professional partnership blossomed into something personal: Jude Demorest and Ammo fell in love and tied the knot in 2016. Not bad for a writing session, right?
But music wasn’t the only path Jude Demorest was pursuing. Acting was always part of the plan. She started booking guest spots on various TV shows and even earned a recurring role on the TNT reboot of Dallas (2012–2014), proving she could hold her own on screen. Still, her sights were set higher. When she heard Lee Daniels was developing a new musical drama called Star, Jude Demorest knew it was meant for her.
Now, getting that role wasn’t easy. She’d actually auditioned for Daniels’ earlier hit Empire but didn’t make the cut—reportedly because she couldn’t speak Spanish. This time around, she wasn’t giving up. Jude Demorest auditioned no fewer than ten times, going through grueling callbacks, including one with none other than Beyoncé’s choreographer. Daniels initially passed on her—but then had a change of heart. And thank goodness he did.
The character Jude Demorest ended up playing is a fierce, talented singer and dancer from a tough background who fights her way to the top—sound familiar? It’s hard not to see the parallels between the role and Jude Demorest’s own life story. The show premiered in December 2016, and from the start, audiences connected with its raw energy and emotional depth—much of which came from Jude Demorest’s powerful performance.
So yeah, Jude Demorest’s rise might’ve looked sudden to some, but behind the scenes? Years of hustle, heart, and unwavering belief in herself. And now, with Star under her belt and so much more ahead, Jude Demorest is definitely a name we won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Well, when it comes to Jude Demorest’s career highlights, it’s kind of interesting—Jude Demorest actually has one project that stands out both as the highest and lowest rated work, which is a bit unusual. That project? Playing God (2021). Yeah, you heard that right. Despite mixed reactions, Playing God (2021) remains a key point in Jude Demorest’s filmography. It seems like opinions are pretty divided, but hey, that happens sometimes in the industry. Still, it’s clear that Jude Demorest put a lot into this role, and it continues to spark conversation among fans and critics alike. So whether people love it or not, Playing God (2021) definitely made an impact for Jude Demorest.