Jennifer Hudson

According to E! News, it's official:

Jennifer Hudson will judge American Idol Season 13.

As previously reported, producers are looking to make major changes to the competition (following dismal Season 12 ratings) and are nearing deals with a number of American Idol alums to comprise next year's panel.

Continue Reading...

Jennifer Hudson took to the Superdome field in New Orleans this evening, belting out "America the Beautiful" prior to Super Bowl XLVII.

But the Oscar winner didn't do it alone.

She was joined by students from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Watch the moving tribute to our great country below now, as Hudson and and those affected by December's horrific tragedy honor the United States:

Jennifer Hudson and Sandy Hook Chorus - "America the Beautiful"

Jennifer Hudson and a pregnant Jessica Simpson recently teamed up for Weight Watchers' new "Expect Amazing" commercial, and boy is it inspiring.

And a tad awkward.

The two singers each talk about their weight loss (Jennifer reportedly dropped 80 pounds on WW; Jess lost 50, before getting pregnant again).

After Jessica walks down the sidewalk in what looks like the most unnatural way possible, they meet in front of a restaurant and ... don't talk. Watch:

Jennifer Hudson-Jessica Simpson Weight Watchers Ad

The President of the U.S. spoke to 6,000 supporters at an L.A. concert featuring Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Earth Wind & Fire and Jon Bon Jovi.

Obama at Fundraiser

"Everything we fought so hard for in 2008 is on the line in 2012," Barack Obama told the Nokia Theater crowd. "And I need your help to finish what we started. I need your help."

Continue Reading...

One of the more talented, respected stars in all of Hollywood turns 31 years old today.

And we send our very best wishes to Jennifer Hudson on this special occasion!

The Oscar winner and former American Idol finalist has showed truly incredible strength in the face of incomprehensible personal pain over the last few years, following the murders of her mother, brother and nephew. She even said in an interview this week that she can't totally blame William Balfour for committing the crime.

Set to recur on Smash Season 2 in early 2013, the professional future is bright for this singer/actress. We wish her the absolute best.

Other famous folks celebrating a birthday today include: Ruben Studdard (34), Benjamin McKenzie (34), Paul Walker (39) and George Jones (81).

During an interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday, Jennifer Hudson touched on William Balfour, the man convicted of killing her mother, brother and nephew in October 2008.

Showing incredible perspective and a capacity for forgiveness, the Oscar winner said she doesn't entirely blame the ex-husband of her sister Julia for the horrendous crime he committed.

"For the most part, it's not his fault," Hudson said. "It's what he was taught, how he was brought up."

Jennifer Hudson on Oprah's Next Chapter

Balfour "never had a chance," Hudson believes, due to his difficult upbringing. She even addressed the killer directly, sending him the following message during this sit-down:

"Had you had the love my mother gave us, or the background that, you know, some have, then you would've stood a chance."

Continue Reading...

Jennifer Hudson has lost 80 pounds. It's an impressive figure to read, but it's an even more impressive figure to gawk at.

And the former American Idol finalist/Oscar winner has now given followers just that opportunity, releasing a Twit pic of herself flexing... in nothing but lingerie!

Hudson included the picture as part of an online pose-off with finace - and professional wrestler - David Otunga and, we must admit, we're darn impressed.

How about you? Study the shape closely and decide: Would you hit it?

Jennifer Hudson is bringing her incredible pipes and her impressive acting ability to Smash.

The Oscar-winning former American Idol favorite has signed on for her first extended television role, multiple sources confirm, coming on board Smash Season 2 as Veronica, a veteran Broadway star who will cause problems for Megan Hilty's Ivy and Katharine McPhee's Karen.

Smash got off to a big start for NBC and then faltered tremendously, both in the ratings and in the eyes of critics.

It has since replaced its showrunner, let three main cast members go and, along with Hudson, signed Jeremy Jordan of Newsies as a series regular. Look for new episodes to air in January.

Following the conviction of William Balfour for murdering three members of her family, Jennifer Hudson released a statement that passed along prayers to Balfour's family and thanked her fans for their love and support.

At a charity event in New York for the Samsung Hope for Children last night, meanwhile, Hudson spoke out about the verdict for the first time.

"It's definitely changed me and put me in the mindset of a mom, and, as before, it makes you think of the future of our children," Hudson told E! News, bringing the topic back to the cause at hand and also her own charity, the Julian King Foundation. "This is the perfect place to do that; it's like starting a new beginning and closing a chapter."

Jennifer's charity benefits underprivileged children in the Chicago area and she will hold a fundraiser for it on her late nephew's birthday, August 14.

But Hudson is also focused on her future as an artist and a singer.

"I'm getting started on my third album this summer, and I have a few films in the works. I'm now just getting back out there and into my rhythm again, so one day at a time."

Not long after William Balfour was found guilty of murdering her mother, brother and nephew, Jennifer Hudson released an email statement regarding the tragedy as a whole.

“We have felt the love and support from people all over the world, and we’re very grateful,” Hudson and sister Julia said, extending a prayer “from the Hudson family to the Balfour family" because "we have all suffered a terrible loss in this tragedy."

Quoting Scripture, the Hudson sisters concluded:

"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). It is our prayer that the Lord will forgive Mr. Balfour of these heinous acts and bring his heart into repentance someday."

Balfour faces life in prison, and his attorney plans to appeal her client's multiple convictions next month.