Jennifer Hudson's baby shower confirms the news

A weekend baby shower in downtown Chicago confirmed what has long been rumored: Jennifer Hudson is pregnant.

“It was a baby shower, a quiet gathering of friends and mostly family,” singer/actress Felicia Fields, a longtime Hudson friend, said of Saturday’s get-together in a relative’s home. “They’re really trying to keep it kind of quiet.”

South Side native Hudson, the 27-year-old singing star who won the 2006 best supporting actress Oscar for “Dreamgirls,” is engaged to former reality TV star David Otunga, who’s currently pursuing a pro wrestling career. Hudson has said she no longer would live in Chicago after her mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason and nephew Julian King were found murdered in October, with William Balfour, the estranged husband of Jennifer’s sister Julia, charged with the crimes.

Hudson recently finished a co-headlining concert tour with singer Robin Thicke, with an April 25 show at the Arie Crown Theatre. Her manager and publicist previously denied that she is pregnant.

"It was a nice time that we had," Fields said of the shower. She didn’t want to get into when the baby is due, but speculation is that Hudson is many months along—an impression bolstered by her appearance of late.

As for whether Hudson received blue or pink gifts, Fields said, “They don’t know [the gender]. More yellow.”

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Jennifer Hudson calls music "therapy" after family deaths

Singer Jennifer Hudson told chat show host Oprah Winfrey on Friday that music is her "therapy" after the murders of three of her relatives last year.

Hudson and Winfrey did not mention the October killings during the singer's television appearance, but when asked how she was doing Hudson said she is "really good."

"I'm just glad to be back and be back to work again," said Hudson, 27. "Just doing what I love to do is like therapy."

Authorities have charged William Balfour, the estranged husband of the singer's elder sister, Julia, with the murder of Hudson's mother, brother and nephew in Chicago in October.

Hudson, who won a best supporting actress Oscar for her role in the movie "Dreamgirls", won a Grammy earlier this month for best R&B album for her self-titled 2008 release.

Hudson said having Whitney Houston announce her as the winner was a thrill, since she once created make-believe duets with Houston.

"It almost surpassed winning the Grammy for me, seeing Whitney Houston," Hudson said. "And then her presenting it to me was, like, unbelievable."

Hudson, who got her start as a contestant on "American Idol", told Winfrey she has a dog named Oscar, another one named Grammy and a third pooch named Dreamgirl.

She will begin a U.S. tour on March 31.

http://www.reuters.com/news/entertainment

Beyonce, Hudson win early Image Awards

Beyonce kicked off the 40th annual NAACP Image Awards with a wind-swept performance of her song "Halo" — and then glided to victory in the outstanding female artist category.

Her "Dreamgirls" co-star Jennifer Hudson, who's set to perform later during the Shrine Auditorium ceremony, picked up the trophy for outstanding new artist.

"This is where we come from," Hudson said accepting the award. "So it's always an honor to come home and feel welcome and to feel the love. I really cherish this and appreciate it."

Some of the winners were awarded before the live ceremony, including "Grey's Anatomy" co-star Chandra Wilson for actress in a drama series and singer-actor Jamie Foxx for male artist. Chris Brown, who's accused in a domestic dispute that reportedly involves pop superstar Rihanna, was one of four men up against Foxx for the outstanding male artist trophy.

Hill Harper from "CSI: NY" and Tracee Ellis Ross from "Girlfriends" also picked up TV acting awards early on during the ceremony Thursday, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and will kick off a yearlong centennial celebration.

Over 30 awards honoring television, film, music and literature are to be handed out in categories such as outstanding reality series, literary work, jazz artist, music video and documentary. - AP

Hudson wins first Grammy; Chris Brown investigated

A tearful Jennifer Hudson has won her first Grammy, thanking her family "in heaven and those who are with me today."

While Hudson's emotion was front and center, drama unfolded behind the scenes when police said just 90 minutes before the show began that they were investigating nominee Chris Brown for allegedly attacking an unidentified woman. Then, minutes before U2 opened the telecast, the Recording Academy said Rihanna, Brown's longtime girlfriend, had scratched her performance.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the two developments were related.

Hudson won best R&B album for her debut CD. The singer and Oscar-winning actress had released the album just weeks before her mother, brother and nephew were killed in Chicago. - AP