Finally putting an end to the rumors and speculation that yes, she IS pregnant, Jennifer Hudson celebrated the news with her friends and family with a quiet baby shower. Her fiance is David Otunga , who is apparently pursuing a wrestling career after a reality TV stint.

No word on what the sex is yet; and the baby shower had a lot of yellow, so I’m guessing that Jennifer and David are hoping to be surprised. I’m glad that Jennifer has this going in her life after all the tragedy she has gone through this year. She alluded to that tragedy in an interview with Essence magazine, saying this:

“The thing that keeps me going is knowing that God is in control,” she says. “It’s like, if he placed me here, then I must be prepared.”

She also mentioned that she slept in her mother’s bed until she was 15, which is both a little creepy and endearing at the same time. Regardless, here’s hoping she’s happy!

I could listen to Jennifer Hudson sing all day and twice on Sundays, how about you? She’s on the cover of Entertainment Weekly next week, and I was lucky enough to get an advance copy with her interview inside. Yay! Here’s a few tidbits from the interview:

On music:
“In church we call that the Anointing, that’s what you’re feeling,” she says. “Music is my home. When I’m trying to find my inner peace, when it seems like everything is overwhelming, I put music in my ears.”

On working after the tragic murders of her mother, sister, and nephew:
“This is what I love to do, and I hate to sit still,” she tells Entertainment Weekly. “I have been active for the past four or five years, and to be working like that and then to just stop and all you hear is the clock ticking…” She shakes her head. “That will drive you crazy.”

On how she’s dealing with the family tragedies:
Hudson becomes quiet when conversation strays into sensitive territory, and when asked about her emotional Grammy performance of “You Pulled Me Through,” for instance, she says, “I like to be led by the emotion of a song. I want the audience to experience what I’m feeling.” Hudson still does not talk about the murders, even with those closest to her. “I try not to say anything about it,” says her childhood friend and longtime assistant, Walter Williams III. “She’s okay as long as people don’t bring it up. She’s trying to put all of that behind her.”

There’s a lot more than that, and I highly recommend you grab an issue and read it. I can’t believe how much she’s had to go through this year, I would seriously have to be holed up in my house for years after something like that. She’s amazing.

image credit Entertainment Weekly

I caught some of the NAACP Image Awards last night on TV, and it was pretty fun. I especially liked Stevie Wonder’s performance at the end - that was awesome! Here are some highlights:

• Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson both picked up awards
• will.I.am’s performance
• Host Halle Berry
• Boxing legend Muhammed Ali was honored

And lots more. Here are some photos:

Rosario Dawson, looking charming in a vintage cocktail dress, matching shoes, and a beaded black and white bracelet.

Holly Robinson Peete wearing a cute cocktail dress. Did you know that she has four children, including twins?

Seal, who is seriously one of the sexiest men on the planet. He's married to Heidi Klum and together they have three children.

I love Alfre Woodard. She's such a fantastic actress, everything she's ever done is watchable.

Of course, I can’t let you go without some of the fantastic performances that we got treated to last night. First, here’s Beyonce singing a song called “Halo”, which she performed for the first time. This song is off of her new album “I Am Sasha Fierce”.

Here’s Jennifer Hudson singing “Impossible Dream” as part of the honoring Muhammed Ali section of the program:

And my favorite of the night, Stevie Wonder with hosts Halle Berry and writer Tyler Perry. I’m not sure what the song is that he’s singing, but I love the part at the end.

Best. National. Anthem. EVER. In Jennifer Hudson’s first public appearance since her family was brutally murdered, she sang the HALE out of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. Brought tears to my eyes!

I know I’m coming in kinda late on this one since the Globes were this weekend, but it’s still worth talking about. Ryan Seacrest, who is probably the most over-exposed celebrity on the planet, was trying to be a journalist on the red carpet at the awards show, shmoozing, talking to celebs, etc. After speaking with Beyonce, he went down to talk to Brad Pitt and Anglelina Jolie and they completely ignored him. Completely. It’s kind of awkward to watch:

This isn’t the first time they’ve snubbed Ryan. The first time was at the 2007 Globes, where he was being sorta obnoxious and Angelina froze him out. Here’s that clip:

Personally? I think Ryan is smarmy. But hopefully this won’t come back to bite ‘em.

Jennifer Hudson is scheduled to sing the National Anthem at this year’s Super Bowl on February 1, 2009.

This will be her first public appearance since the murders of her mother, nephew, and brother in October. I think a lot of Jennifer for continuing on after these tragedies; it would be easy to just curl up in a ball and never come out again, but she’s doing what she’s been called to do.

This isn’t the first time she’s sung the anthem at a major gathering; she also sang for the opening of the Democratic National Convention. Listen:

This is so sad, so sad. Here’s a video clip from the memorial service for the slain members of the Jennifer Hudson family.

I’m glad that they have their faith and obviously a VERY supportive community to get them through this.

The sad story of Jennifer Hudson continues its’ downward spiral. The body of a young boy matching Julian King’s description has been found in a white SUV matching the license plate of the one that the Chicago Police have been looking for. Here’s more:

And here’s more:

The medical examiner has not yet made an ID, but we are now told the body is that of a 7-year-old African American boy, the same age and race as Julian. The body was found inside a 1994 white Chevy Suburban. It is the same SUV owned by Jason Hudson, the murdered brother of Jennifer. Before his arrest, cops were looking for William Balfour, the suspect and estranged husband of Jennifer’s sister. The license plate of the Suburban matches Jason’s SUV.

The SUV was found a few miles from the area where cops arrested Balfour.

The SUV is now being towed from the scene. Unclear if the body is still at the scene. No ID so far.

Neighbors say the vehicle has been parked there since Saturday. Balfour was arrested Friday night.

The SUV has been towed with the body still inside the vehicle. The SUV is now at a police garage in Chicago.

The FBI has now said the body discovered today in an SUV in Chicago is “believed to be” that of Julian King, Jennifer Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew.

Chicago cops have not yet commented.

Oh, it’s just awful. I can’t even imagine the pain that is ripping through this family. If you are a praying person, please keep the Hudson family in your prayers. They will need them.

I could hardly believe this when I read it, it was so sad.

One of my favorite singers and actresses, Jennifer Hudson has been visited by tragedy of epic proportions. Jennifer’s mother and brother have both been found dead at their South Side home, apparently the victims of domestic conflict. Here’s more:

Two adults were found fatally shot at a home at 70th Street and Yale Avenue at 3 p.m. Friday, authorities said. A representative of the family’s church, Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist, confirms that 57-year-old Darnell Hudson was one of the victims. The other victim was a man, the Chicago Fire Department said.

In addition, Jennifer’s young nephew, Julian King, has been missing since the shootings occurred sometime this morning between 8 and 9 AM. The suspect is Jennifer Hudson’s brother in law. Here’s more information:

State police have issued an amber alert for the child. He may be with William Balfour. Relatives said Balfour is the husband of Jennifer Hudson’s sister, Julia.

Police are searching for an SUV that was seen in the area - a 1994 white Suburban, Illinois license plate number X584859 with a left, front headlight hanging out and scratched on the left side all along the vehicle.

He could also be driving a teal or green Chrysler Concorde, four-door with temporary tags 332K823.

Balfour is believed to have lived in the house where the bodies were found.

Illinois Dept. of Corrections records show Balfour was paroled from the Illinois River Correctional Center on May, 5, 2006. IDOC lists Balfour as serving time for attempted murder, intent to kill/injure, vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Balfour is 27 years old, 5′ 8″, 150 lbs, with a dark complexion, hair in braids. and considered armed and dangerous.

- source

I’ll update as more becomes available. At this moment, Jennifer Hudson is flying in from Tampa, Florida where she was singing for a new project to be with the remainder (doesn’t that sound awful?) of her family. Here’s a report with footage of the home:

Jennifer Hudson, who we haven’t heard from in a while (right?) is engaged to her boyfriend named……wait for it…..Punk, who apparently was on some reality show? I dont’ know. Anyway, they’ve been going out for less than a year and now are set to tie the knot.

Anyone know what happened to her previous boyfriend? They’d been engaged for EVER, they grew up together or something. I hope this wasn’t a case of fame went to my head and I kicked you to the curb, but it definitely wouldn’t be the first time.