Hudson Tragedy

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May 2009
- Preggers Hudson Holds Baby Shower
  
  Chicago Tribune | May 31, 09 7:59 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - A longtime friend of Jennifer Hudson confirmed rumors today that the singer is pregnant, the Chicago Tribune reports. Hudson held a baby shower yesterday at a relative's home, "a quiet gathering of friends and mostly family,” said actress/singer Felicia Fields. “They’re really trying to keep it kind of quiet.” Were gifts pink or blue? "They don't know" the gender, said Fields. "More yellow." More »
- 'Mama's Baby' Hudson Relied on God
  
  People | May 14, 09 7:34 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Since her mother, brother, and nephew were murdered last year, Jennifer Hudson has relied on God for strength, People reports. “The thing that keeps me going is knowing God is in control. It’s like, if he placed me here then I must be prepared,” she told Essence magazine. Fiancé David Otunga helps too, adding, “She doesn’t have to worry about losing me. I’m always going to be right here.” More »
April 2009
- Hudson Reportedly Pregnant
  
  New York Post | Apr 23, 09 10:03 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Jennifer Hudson is pregnant, according to the New York Post . The Oscar winner, who had no comment, is set to marry David Otunga this summer. Elsewhere: Anna Nicole Smith’s half-sister is suing the publisher of her tell-all exploiting Smith’s death, TMZ reports. Apparently they published it without signing—or paying—her. Mel Gibson’s purported Russian lover has been silenced by his lawyers, the Sun reports—but she wouldn’t deny the relationship, or pregnancy rumors. More »
March 2009
- Hudson Returns to Idol, Barker to Price Is Right
  
  Associated Press | Mar 25, 09 11:28 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Celebrities are returning to their roots today. Jennifer Hudson is taping a performance after tonight’s American Idol that will air on an upcoming episode, the AP reports, and Bob Barker is taping an appearance on The Price is Right to air April 16, according to Variety. Elsewhere: In more Idol news, Simon Cowell responded to President Obama’s jab on the Tonight Show, saying that by comparing DC to Cowell, Obama meant “Washington has become more truthful, more honest, more sincere, more intelligent,” the Huffington Post notes. More »
February 2009
- Hudson's Use of Backing Track Is Common
  
  ABC News | Feb 3, 09 6:08 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Jennifer Hudson's use of a pre-recorded backing track for her boffo rendition of the national anthem at the Super Bowl is par for the course in the industry these days, ABC News reports. Exhibit A: Faith Hill did the same when she sang "America the Beautiful" before the same game. Once considered a no-no, the practice is becoming common now for even the biggest performers at stadium events, ABC notes. More »
- Hudson Scores With Super Bowl Comeback
  
  Associated Press | Feb 2, 09 7:45 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Jennifer Hudson returned to the spotlight yesterday for the first time since her family tragedy, giving an emotional performance of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, AP reports. When she asked the producer how she did, “I told her ‘Touchdown!’” he said. “She’s in such a great place, with such great spirits and time can heal her wounds.” She will perform again at the Grammy Awards Sunday. More »
January 2009
- Hudson to Sing at Super Bowl
  
  E! Online | Jan 14, 09 5:02 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Jennifer Hudson will return to the stage for the first time since her family murder tragedy at next month's Super Bowl, sources tell E! Online. The singer has stayed out of the spotlight since her mother, brother and nephew were killed in October. Rumors that she was to sing at Barack Obama's inauguration proved to be false. More »
December 2008
- Hudson May Perform at Inauguration
  
  New York Post | Dec 31, 08 12:50 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - A still-grieving Jennifer Hudson’s first performance since her family tragedy may be at Barack Obama’s inauguration, the New York Post reports. Organizers have asked Hudson to sing the national anthem, which she also performed at the Democratic National Convention. Hudson, whose mother, sister, and nephew were murdered in October, “is from Chicago and a huge Obama supporter,” the source said. More »
- Did a Gift Spark the Hudson Family Killings?
  
  People | Dec 13, 08 4:20 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Police believe a stray birthday gift set off the massacre of Jennifer Hudson’s family, People reports. Hudson’s sister Julia held a party the day before the murders to celebrate her 31st birthday. When estranged husband William Balfour showed up, he spotted a gift that he believed came from another man. That, police say, made Balfour jealous enough to kill Jennifer’s brother and mother, and eventually Julia’s 7-year-old son. More »
- Hudson Goes Back to Work
  
  Associated Press | Dec 10, 08 9:57 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - A month and a half after her family tragedy, Jennifer Hudson is getting back to work, the AP reports. Hudson, whose career was building steam when her mother, brother, and nephew were killed, is set to start next week recording the music video that was postponed by the shootings. The singer and actress has been in seclusion, but last week released a statement expressing gratitude for her four Grammy nominations. More »
- Balfour's Troubles Go Way Back
  
  Chicago Tribune | Dec 7, 08 5:49 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - William Balfour grappled with depression and rage for years before his arrest in the Jennifer Hudson family killings, the Chicago Tribune reports. The son of a convicted killer, Balfour lived in and out of correctional facilities, suffering physical abuse at home and smoking dope to quell his anger. After serving 8 years for attempted murder, he tried to turn his life around—by marrying Jennifer Hudson's sister. More »
- Grammy Noms a 'Blessing': Hudson
  
  People | Dec 5, 08 7:00 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Amid family tragedy, Jennifer Hudson found herself “blessed” with four Grammy nominations, People reports. “It’s been a childhood dream of mine to release an album,” Hudson said in a statement. “I'm extremely honored and humbled.” The nods came on the same day Hudson's estranged brother-in-law was ordered held without bail in the murders of her mother, brother, and nephew. More »
- Jealousy Blamed in Hudson Murders
  
  Associated Press | Dec 3, 08 4:56 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Prosecutors have pinned a motive on Jennifer Hudson's brother-in-law, alleging today that he killed her family members out of anger that his estranged wife was dating someone else, reports the AP. William Balfour—who has been charged with the murders of Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew—confronted Julia Hudson at the family home the morning of the slayings. The couple left the home together, then he returned alone, prosecutors say. More »
- Hudson In-Law Arrested in Family Murders
  
  Chicago Tribune | Dec 1, 08 4:59 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - The estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson’s sister has been arrested and will be charged with the murders of the Oscar winner's mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew, the Chicago Tribune reports. William Balfour was in state custody on a parole violation until today, when the Chicago police served an arrest warrant. The case against him is largely circumstantial, the Sun-Times reports. More »
November 2008
- Still Mourning, Hudson Gives Ad Go-Ahead
  
  E! Online | Nov 14, 08 10:52 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - The timing isn't the best, but Jennifer Hudson has given her blessing to the inclusion of her photo in a new Gap ad, E! Online reports. The holiday ad campaign, conceived and photographed before the murders of her mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew, features the Academy Award-winner looking cheery in a red sweater. More »
- Trump Houses Hudson, Family
  
  People | Nov 11, 08 1:08 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Donald Trump has been sheltering Jennifer Hudson and some relatives in his swanky, self-named tower for free since the Oscar-winner's mother, brother, and nephew were murdered last month, People reports. “She's a great girl. And we're protecting them well,” the mogul says. More »
- Sad Farewell for Hudson Family
  
  People | Nov 3, 08 2:16 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Actress Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell, brother Jason and 7-year-old nephew, Julian, were remembered by family and friends in an emotional public memorial service at their Chicago Baptist church yesterday, a week after the three were murdered. The most poignant moments came as Julian's second-grade teacher read comments from his classmates, People reports. More »
- Murder Gun Linked to Hudson's Brother
  
  Chicago Tribune | Nov 2, 08 9:08 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Chicago police are investigating the possibility that the gun used to kill Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew may have belonged to her murdered sibling, who reported the weapon stolen just months ago. The chrome and black .45-caliber Sig Sauer semiautomatic pistol, found near the body of Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, is identical to the one Jason Hudson reported stolen, reports the Chicago Tribune. More »
- Test Confirms Hudson Murder Weapon
  
  Chicago Sun-Times | Nov 1, 08 3:54 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Police have confirmed that a gun found in a vacant lot was used to kill Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Investigators are now working to tie the .45 caliber handgun and other evidence to suspect William Balfour and to trace how the gun, reported stolen in Michigan, made its way to Chicago. More »
October 2008
- Hudson Launches Victims' Fund
  
  People | Oct 31, 08 3:49 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Singer Jennifer Hudson, whose mother, brother and nephew were brutally murdered last weekend, has set up a foundation in honor of her three slain family members. The Hudson-King foundation will offer food, shelter, and clothing, as well as counseling for families who have lost relatives to a violent crime, People reports. The announcement came after a prayer vigil in a Chicago church. More »