Jennifer Hudson

Jessica Sanchez gets major points for showing confidence and taking risks this season on American Idol.

First, the singer covered Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," as challenging a track as there could be for a contestant to attempt.

Then, last night, she went with "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," the iconic single that essentially won Jennifer Hudson an Oscar in Dreamgirls. We've linked to Jessica's performance in this sentence, and we've posted Hudson's version below, and now we're asking:

Jennifer Hudson - "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (Dreamgirls)

WHO SINGS IT BETTER?

The 911 call made by Jennifer Hudson's sister, upon finding the body of her murdered mother, was released today in court.

The heartbreaking evidence is being used by the defense in its case against William Balfour, who is on trial for killing Hudson's mother, brother and nephew. And the portions played for the jury were as heartbreaking as you can imagine.

"Help, please," Julia Hudson is heard telling a 911 operator. "Oh, God. Somebody's killed my mother, somebody's killed my mother... Please help me. Oh my God, oh my God... please... please... can you please send an ambulance, please. Oh my God."

The call lasts about three minutes, with Julia saying she just arrived home from work and detailing how there's "blood coming from her her heard" and a "bullet hole in our front door."

Jennifer Hudson took the stand last week and broke down in tears when shown a photo of her mother. She then exited the courtroom a day later when attorneys broke out a picture of her nephew's corpse.

A day after taking the stand in the murder case against William Balfour - and breaking down when a photo of her mom was presented - Jennifer Hudson couldn't handle being in the same room with the man accused of killing her relatives.

Witnesses tell TMZ Hudson excused herself from the legal proceedings when prosecutors pulled out crime scene photos of Jennifer's seven-year old nephew Julian, who was allegedly shot by Balfour in a fit of rage.

He is also on trial for murdering Hudson's mother and brother.

David Otunga, Jennifer's fiance and the father of her son, remained inside the courtroom after Hudson departed and, insiders say, jotted down notes about the crime scene. Our hearts and thoughts go out to Jennifer and her family.

Today will likely be one of the most difficult days of Jennifer Hudson's life

As we type, the Oscar winner is taking the stand to testify in the trial of William Balfour, the man accused of murdering her mother, brother and nephew in 2008.

Balfour - who has pleaded not guilty - faces first degree murder charges. Prosecutors believe he flew into a rage and committed these heinous acts after seeing a gift to Julia Hudson, Balfour's ex-girlfriend and Jennifer's sibling, that he thought was from a new man in her life.

The trial got underway this morning.

UPDATE: Jennifer reportedly broke down on the stand twice during her testimony when talking about her family and looking at a photo of her mom. She also said no one approved of her sister marring Balfour.

"Where he was, I tried not to be. So if I saw him, I separated myself," she said on the stand.

American Idol viewers were treated to a shock on this week's results show, as arguably the season's best singer wasn't merely placed in the bottom three; she was sent home!

Until the judges instituted their first and only saved of the season, that is. Jessica Sanchez will be around to impress for at least seven more days.

Less stunning than this development, however? The fact that Jennifer Hudson returned to the stage that made her famous and absolutely slayed via a performance of "Think Like a Man."

Watch the Oscar winner and former finalist do her thing, accompanied by Ne-Yo, in the first televised rendition of this track now. Watch below:

Continue Reading...

Jennifer Hudson will be present in a Chicago courtroom as proceedings open in the trial of William Balfour, the man accused of murdering three of her family members.

Balfour allegedly killed Jennifer's mother, brother and nephew 3.5 years ago.

Her celebrity status will play a role in the jury selection process, as potential jurors will be directly questioned about their familiarity with Hudson and her projects.

Questions the would-be jurors can expect: Have they seen Hudson in any films; if they’ve ever seen her in concert; if they have any ties to products she endorses; etc.

The idea behind the inquisition is to eliminate any jurors whose devotion to Hudson and her work and fame would hinder their ability to come to an unbiased decision.

Balfour faces charges of murder, aggravated kidnapping and home invasion in the 2008 deaths of Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57; Jason Hudson, 29; and Julian King, 7.

Opening statements in the case commence April 23.

A pair of contrasting Whitney Houston covers hit the small screen this week. At least in terms of their planning.

First, in a tribute to the late singer, Jennifer Hudson took to the Grammy Awards stage - with just 24 hours to prepare - and belted out an incredible rendition of "I Will Always Love You."

Then, on last night's new Glee episode - by sheer coincidence, in a scene taped weeks ago - Amber Riley covered the same classic track as part of that Fox program's Valentine's Day episode, shedding tears in the process over her character's status on the show.

Who did a better job? Watch both and decide:

Jennifer Hudson - I Will Always Love You (Tribute to Whitney Houston)

Amber Riley - I Will Always Love You (Glee Clip)

WHO SANG WHITNEY BETTER?

Jennifer Hudson still can't believe it. She still can't believe she was selected to honor Whitney Houston at the Grammy Awards Sunday night.

Also, she's still shedding tears over the legendary singer's passing.

Jennifer Hudson - I Will Always Love You (Tribute to Whitney Houston)

"It was the greatest honor of my life to be able to be the one to pay tribute to Whitney's memory," the Oscar winner tells Us Weekly. "It was from my heart. I haven't stopped crying since she passed. Her family is in my prayers."

Houston, a six-time Grammy Award winner, was found dead in her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton Saturday afternoon, her body submerged in a bathtub. She's believed to have died from a combination of prescription pills and alcohol, while many are now concerned over the state of her 18-year old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

With Whitney Houston's death taking place less than 36 hours before the show, you knew the Grammy Awards would feature a moving tribute Sunday night.

Jennifer Hudson delivered that and then some.

On a darkened stage where Houston had performed many times before, in front of artists who will remember her as an unforgettable talent and influence, on music's biggest night, Houston was honored with one of her most biggest hits.

Here's Jennifer Hudson performing "I Will Always Love You" ...

Jennifer Hudson - I Will Always Love You (Tribute to Whitney Houston)

Whitney's memory and Hudson's poised, powerful and understated rendering of the song brought audience members to their feet at L.A.'s Staples Center.

The performance came at the end of the 2012 Grammys' in memoriam segment, and she shined. Could anyone have done it better than Jennifer?

Jennifer Hudson doesn't merely cover the latest issue of Good Housekeeping - the Oscar winner looks darn good while doing so!

The former American Idol finalist has incredibly lost 80 pounds, and she says her son doesn't even recognize his own mother when looking at photos or clips of her former self.

“What’s funny is that he’s never known me overweight," Hudson tells the magazine. "If he sees a clip of the old Jennifer from Dreamgirls, he doesn’t know who it is.”

Hudson says she doesn't torture herself to remain skinny, though. One has to cheat to maintain sanity.

“I’ll find a calm, peaceful moment, and I’ll sit back and eat my chocolate, which I make sure is really good quality, too," she says, adding this piece of advice: "Quality over quantity!”