Jennifer Kate Hudson is an American recording artist, actress and model. She came to prominence in 2004 as one of the finalists on the third season of the Fox reality television series American Idol. She made her film debut in the 2006 film Dream girls and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance, as well as a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
She won a Grammy Award for her eponymous debut album, Jennifer Hudson, which was released in 2008 on Arista Records and soon certified gold by the RIAA. The album has sold over 700,000 copies in the US and over 1 million worldwide. Additionally it spawned the hit single Spotlight.
In late 2008, Hudson’s mother, brother, and nephew were killed in a shooting. Soon after, Hudson stepped out of the limelight for three months. Hudson auditioned for the third season of American Idol, in Atlanta, Georgia. Hudson struggled to gain popularity in the early stages of Idol’s live shows, receiving the second-lowest number of votes in two of the first three shows. Among Hudson’s worthy performances on the show was her rendition of Whitney Houston’s, “I Have Nothing”.
During the “Top 7″ show, Hudson performed Barry Manilow’s, “Weekend in New England,” which garnered praise from all three judges. Jackson called the song Hudson’s best performance to date; and Simon Cowell noted that Hudson’s presence made the third season a, “Battle of the Divas,” referencing other powerful vocalists Fantasia Barrino and LaToya London. Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother died of fatal gunshot wounds Friday (October 24), police have confirmed to MTV News.
A Chicago police representative said the singer’s mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, and older brother, Jason, were killed. Julian King, Hudson’s young nephew, who had been living at the residence, has been reported missing. According to public records, the home is owned by Hudson’s mother, but both Jennifer and Jason have been listed as residents for the second apartment. Patterson said a family member called police upon finding the body of Hudson’s mother on the living-room floor, and when authorities arrived, they found the body of Hudson’s brother in a bedroom. The Tribune reported that Hudson is not injured, according to her bodyguard. ABC News reported that Hudson was traveling to Chicago from Tampa, Florida.
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