Jennifer Hudson Was Devastated after Tragic Loss of 3 Relatives in One Day — She Found Joy in Her 'Twin' Son Since

Jennifer Hudson's life story is unimaginably tragic and triumphant. Despite growing up without a father in a religious family, she succeeded in the entertainment industry. However, her world was shattered by an unforgettable incident.

A man Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson knew killed her mother, brother, and nephew in a horrific act of violence. While coping with this devastating loss was a challenge, Hudson found comfort and healing in the love of her newborn son.

Today, she and her son share an unbreakable bond. Many refer to him as her twin, and he has helped her navigate life and find joy in motherhood after a difficult separation.

Hudson is a powerhouse vocalist and actress with a magnetic on-screen presence. Born on September 12, 1981, she will turn 42 this year and shows no signs of slowing down.

Her first taste of fame came as a finalist on the third season of the hit television show "American Idol" in 2004. While she was not the show's winner, the exposure was enough.

From her days growing up in Chicago to the red carpets in Hollywood, the star worked hard, put in the effort, and has since cemented her name in both the music and acting worlds.

From Childhood Struggles to Worldwide Popularity

Both struggles and strong family bonds marked Hudson's childhood. She faced numerous challenges, including her father's absence and financial hardships.

However, her mother, Darnell Donerson, was a constant source of love and support, encouraging Hudson's natural talent for singing and performing. Her talent and hard work eventually paid off despite the early setbacks.

Hudson's passion for music and performing began early when she impressed her godmother by singing a difficult note during a choir rehearsal. From there, it was clear to everyone that she was destined to become a star.

Hudson's 2007 Academy Award win in the category of Best Supporting Actress for the hit movie "Dreamgirls" added to her status as a Hollywood star. She quickly became the next big thing in the entertainment industry with her soulful voice and undeniable talent.

In March 2007, Hudson made history as only the third African American celebrity to grace the cover of US Vogue, solidifying her status as a style icon and a talented performer. Despite her success, the star remains grounded and committed to her craft. She said:

"I want to be around for a long time, singing and making albums and movies."

Jennifer Hudson's Family Tragedy Shocks the World

In 2008, tragedy struck Hudson's family when her mother, brother, and young nephew were murdered. The prime suspect was William Balfour, Hudson's estranged brother-in-law.

Balfour had a history of violence and threatened the family. The motive for the killings was suggested to be the man's anger at his estranged wife, Hudsons's sister, who he believed was being unfaithful.

During Balfour's trial, it was revealed that Hudson and her family had expressed their disapproval of her sister's decision to marry him. Despite their fierce objections, she went ahead and wed Balfour—her loved ones were not in attendance.

Hudson also later testified that she tried to avoid Balfour whenever possible and did not find out about her sister's marriage to him until a couple of months after it was official.

The trial also saw Hudson's sister testifying about Balfour's extreme jealousy. She stated that he was so possessive that he even got angry when her son kissed her. He would say:

"Don't kiss my wife."

The family asked the media to respect their privacy regarding the sensitive and emotional issue in the aftermath as they hoped to move forward.

It was a heartwrenching experience for the family, and losing her loved ones was devastating for Hudson, who was shaken by the horrific ordeal.

Jennifer Hudson's Resilience and Success After Trauma

Despite facing unimaginable trauma, Hudson has shown remarkable resilience and determination in her personal and professional life. The death of her mother, with whom she shared a particularly close bond, profoundly impacted her.

It was a challenging time for Hudson, and she needed to take time away from her career to heal and focus on her emotional well-being. Her hiatus was needed, but she returned to the spotlight with a bang, singing the "Star-Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl XLIII.

She also delivered a powerful performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards and continued to pursue her music career. In 2015, she released her third studio album, "JHUD," which received critical acclaim.

In addition to her music career, Hudson found success in acting. She appeared in popular films, such as "Sex and the City" and "Sing," proving she is a multi-talented artist.

Despite facing personal struggles and setbacks, Hudson has remained a positive role model and inspiration to many. She has used her platform to advocate for noble causes, and her resilience is remarkable.

Hudson has not let the trauma of her past define her but instead used it as a source of motivation to achieve her goals and positively impact the world.

She wanted to honor the family members she had lost and knew the best way to do it was through her work. Hudson explained:

"I'm hearing my brother's voice say, 'Jenny, knock it off!' He would be angry at me for giving up. Or all the things that my mother instilled in us. She prepared us. She would say, 'You know, I'm not always going to be here, and I want you all to be able to make it.'"

The star also honored her precious nephew, who passed away during the violent 2008 shootings, by starting the Julian D King Gift Foundation. She described him as strong and intelligent.

In a recent online post, it was evident the icon still cherishes her nephew's life. She wrote:

"It was so good to come home to Chicago to celebrate Hatch Day with my family! We honored Julian D. King today on his 21st birthday. Thank you to all who came out!"

Hudson's family wasn't the only aspect of her life that faced ups and downs. Her romantic life also made headlines.

Hudson's ten-year relationship with actor and professional wrestler David Otunga, with whom she shares a son named David Jr., was initially a source of hope and happiness for the singer-actress.

The couple met through a mutual friend on the set of the VH1 reality television series "I Love New York." Their relationship began shortly after and was sealed by an engagement that lasted for several years.

In 2017, Hudson and Otunga's relationship turned sour. The singer filed a restraining order against Otunga, citing aggressive and threatening behavior towards her and their son. One of her representatives revealed:

"Jennifer requested and received a protective order against her ex-fiancé."

Despite Otunga's attorney denying the allegations, Hudson stated her actions were taken in the best interest of their child. Since then, Hudson has spoken out about prioritizing her and her son's well-being.

Amid the challenges of her personal life, Hudson has remained committed to her role as a mom and revealed the ways her son impacted her positively. She recalled:

"I went from being an aunt, having a mom, and being a child to not having a mom, becoming a mom, and raising my child. I tell David [my son] all the time, 'You saved my life.'"

In an emotional interview, Hudson could not hold back her tears as she spoke about the family members she lost. She also gave some insight on how she overcame the pain.

Hudson admitted she would not be here without her faith. The actress and singer expressed:

"No matter what, He's always there. I could not and would not be sitting here talking to you right now, this happy, talking to you without Him. It's my joy."

Hudson has also credited her son with giving her a reason to be strong and has spoken publicly about motherhood's importance in her life.

While her son was young, she enjoyed singing him lullabies and nurturing him. The child has since grown into a teenager who many agree is the spitting image of his mother, he has even been called her "twin!" One fan commented, "You and your son are twins!!!" while another agreed:

"He's truly your twin. I love it. I can't describe it."

Hudson has shared candid moments of her life with her son on social media, including their special bond and fun activities. Being a mother means everything to her—she described it as the best feeling in the world.

In 2022, Hudson proudly shared her son's milestone celebration as he turned 13. The singer-actor expressed her excitement in her Instagram post, saying she officially has a teenager and will forever celebrate her baby.

The social media post showed pictures of the youngster's joyful celebration, which included dancing and having a blast with his mother.

Despite their split, Hudson and Otunga's love for their son was evident in their efforts to make his birthday special.

Hudson's request for the world to stop as she wished her son a happy birthday was a testament to her close relationship with him. Her journey as a single mother has inspired many and shown her resilience and determination in the midst of adversity.

The star has recently been linked to rapper Lonnie Rashid Lynn, better known as Common. Hudson, who recently achieved EGOT status, was spotted with the rapper several times in 2022 and 2023.

In February, the two were seen having a meal together at celebrity hotspot Nobu Malibu near Los Angeles, fueling the romance rumors.

Hudson did not remain silent on the topic. She quickly shut down the romantic speculations, explaining that people created their own narratives and that she and Common were just co-stars.

The duo is set to appear as a married couple in the movie "Breathe," directed by Stefon Bristol. Hudson explained that they had to eat together between filming, justifying the frequent photos of her with Common.

Only time will tell whether Hudson and Common are more than co-stars, but fans will have to wait and see for now.

Meanwhile, Hudson is prioritizing her music and acting career, releasing new albums and appearing in films and television shows.

She had an exciting start to 2023 with the confirmation that her show, "The Jennifer Hudson Show," would be renewed for a second season.

The news was announced at the beginning of January, and Hudson expressed her gratitude in a statement. She said that working on the show has been one of the greatest joys of her career.

She also thanked her incredible team and partners who've been with her on her journey from day one and promised to take the show to the next level in the new season.

With an average of 5.2 million viewers a week, it's no surprise that the show appeared on the People's Choice Award nominees list in the Daytime Talk Show category.

Hudson is a multifaceted artist who has captivated audiences with her powerful voice and dynamic performances for over a decade.

She has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry, garnering accolades for her music, film, and television work.

With an Instagram page filled with photos of her next to musical greats like Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, and Diana Ross—Hudson's worldwide popularity remains unquestioned.

Her unending dedication to her craft and her family in moments of tragedy and triumph has made her an icon and a continued inspiration for fans worldwide.