Back when [artist id="2481017"]Jennifer Hudson[/artist] auditioned for "American Idol," she sang her heart out every week in front of the show's original three: Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. These days, only one of those judges stands (Jackson), and he's joined by two new faces: music superstars Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.

How does Hudson feel about the new judges' panel?

"I haven't had the time to watch 'Idol,' but every once in a while, my Twitter fans will send me a clip of it, and I get to see here and there, and I've seen a few of the commercials," she told MTV News while promoting her new album, I Remember Me. "And I'm looking, checking out the judges like, 'OK, they seem like a good fit.' And it's been running for a long time, so I think that's a good transition for them."

While Abdul hasn't been on the show in a few years, this season is the first one without Cowell. Hudson said there are good and bad aspects of a Simon-free show.

"I guess it could be a little bittersweet for [the contestants]," she said of not facing Cowell's harsh criticism. "But at the end of the day, they still get the experience, and I just feel like they should take from that and use it for whatever they can. Just live in that moment they're living in and be a part of the show."

Regardless of who is sitting there, the show is great practice for the real world of being a singer, Hudson said. "I feel like 'American Idol' is a perfect boot camp to prepare you for the industry that you're trying to get into," she said. "And it teaches you so much. It's a good tool."

Don't miss [article id="1658897"]"Idol Party Live"[/article] every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke -- get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' [article id="1486475"]"American Idol" page[/article], where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.