American Idol’s Jennifer Hudson to portray Winnie Mandela in movie
(AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Season three ”American Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson has proven herself to be a talented actress. She has an Oscar trophy from her “Dreamgirls” role to prove it.
Now, the singer/actress is preparing for an even deeper role. According to Variety, Hudson will portray Winnie Mandela in an upcoming film titled “Winnie.”
Winnie Mandela is a controversial South African politician, and the former wife of Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa.
Shooting on the film will begin in late May.
Since placing seventh on “American Idol” in 2004, Hudson has four movies under her belt. They are “Dreamgirls,” “Sex and the City,” “Winged Creatures” and “The Secret Life of Bees.”
American Idol News
Jennifer Hudson attends a movie premiere in Beverly Hills (AP photo by Chris Pizzello)
Carrie Underwood accepting her award at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman)
–Season three contestant Jennifer Hudson’s Christmas concert special titled “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” will air on ABC in December.
–Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood will receive the Harmony Award on Dec. 12 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The award is given to individuals demonstrate a continued interest in Nashville music.
–Season 8 contestant Allison Iraheta’s debut album will be in stores Dec. 1. The first single is “Friday I’ll Be Over U.”
–After a one-year hiatus the “Idol Gives Back” episode will return to American Idol. The episode will air April 21.
–Season 7 contestant Jason Castro’s album release has been delayed until early 2010. The album was originally scheduled for Nov. 17
–Season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis released a new music video titled “Sad Song” from his CD “Heartbreak on Vinyl. The music video is posted below.
VH1 Divas Live highlights
The 2009 VH1 Divas Live aired on the network Thursday night hosted by Paula Abdul. The show features a concert from some of the leading female musicians in the music industry.
The show featured appearances by Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Melissa Etheridge, Jordin Sparks, Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride, Adele, India Arie, Kathy Griffin Liza Mineli, and Stevie Wonder. (Stevie was the only male. He was the honorary diva).
Video clips of some of the performances are posted below.
Jennifer Hudson
Kelly Clarkson
Martina McBride and Jordin Sparks
Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Hudson
Melissa Etheridge and Kelly Clarkson
Paula Abdul and Kathy Griffin
Paula Abdul and Liza Mineli
Jennifer Hudson appeared on Oprah Winfrey Show
R&B singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson broke her silence on a live episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show.
This was the first time Hudson granted an interview since the slaying of her mother, nephew and mother.
During the brief interview, she didn’t go into specifics about the murders.
She said “I’m just glad to be back and be back to work again. Just doing what I love to do is like therapy.”
She also said she became emotional during the grammy’s when her idol Whitney Houston presented the best R&B album award to her.
Hudson performed her latest single “If This Isn’t Love” on the Oprah Show.
Click here to watch to the Celebrity Minute.
Jennifer Hudson tour dates announced
Jennifer Hudson rocked the house at the Grammy’s along with the Star Spangled Banner during the Super Bowl
Now, she is taking her show on the road during a six-week tour and fellow R&B singer Robin Thicke will be the opening act.
The tour dates are posted below.
Mar 31: Albany, New York Palace Theater
Apr 2: Newark, NJ NJPAC
Apr 3: Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre
Apr 4: Baltimore, MD Lyric Theatre
Apr 5: Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall
Apr 9: Mashantucket, CT MGM Grand at Foxwoods
Apr 10: New York, NY WaMu Theatre at MSG
Apr 12: Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall
Apr 15: Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
Apr 17: Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
Apr 18: Greensboro, NC Special Events Center
Apr 19: Richmond, VA Landmark Theater
Apr 23: St. Louis, MO Fox Theatre
Apr 24: Detroit, MI Opera House
Apr 25: Chicago, IL Arie Crown
May 2: Los Angeles, CA NOKIA Theatre
May 3: Oakland, CA Paramount Theater
May 7: Dallas, TX NOKIA Theatre at Grand Prairie
May 8: Houston, TX Verizon Theatre
New Music Video — If This Isn’t Love by Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson sings the national anthem at the Super Bowl
Bruce Springsteen gave an energetic performance during the Super Bowl halftime show, and he proved that he still deserves the nickname The Boss.
However, the most electrifying performance of the night belonged to Jennifer Hudson when she performed “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Hudson is back on the scene after losing her mother, brother and nephew during a killing spree.
Her performance proved that she is back on top of her game. It was on the same level of Whitney Houston’s national anthem performance back in 1991.
Hudson’s performance clip is posted below.
Tim Henley
Jennifer Hudson Star Spangled Banner Super Bowl XLIII – Watch more amazing videos here
Jennifer Hudson will perform at the Super Bowl
R&B singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson will perform at the Super Bowl football game Feb. 1. An NFL spokesman said she will be singing the national anthem.
This will be Hudson’s first public appearance since her mother, brother and nephew were brutally killed in October.
Her brother-in-law William Balfour was charged in connection with the incident.
Celebrity briefs (Dec. 26)
– Jennifer Hudson will perform at concert Feb. 6 to honor Neil Diamond. It will be her first public appearance since her mother, brother and nephew were brutally killed.
– Lance Armstrong and his girlfriend Anna Hansen are expecting their first baby together.
– Hugh Hefner’s recent ex-girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson will marry NFL player Hank Baskett at the Playboy Mansion next summer.
“Mad Men” actress Anne Dudek and her husband Matthew Heller welcomed a son named Akiva Heller.
Bruce Springsteen’s greatest hits albums will be released Jan. 13 at Wal-Mart stores only.
Jennifer Hudson cancels video shoot
Jennifer Hudson has canceled a video shoot for her new single “If It Isn’t Love.”
The singer/actress was scheduled to return to work next week to film scenes for the music video, but she realized that she’s not ready to go back to work, according to US Weekly magazine.
Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew were killed in October, and I think Jennifer just needs a little more time to grieve, and she deserves that time.
Jennifer Hudson will film new music video
Singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson is slowly beginning to put the pieces of her life back together.
Hudson will start filming the music video for her second single next week “If It Isn’t Love” from her self-titled debut album.
It will be the first time she has been at work since her mother, brother and nephew were killed in October.
Good luck Jennifer. You are in everyone’s prayers.
Tim Henley
William Balfour arrested in the Hudson family killings
William Balfour was officially arrested Dec. 1 in connection with the murders of actress/singer Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew.
Balfour was currently in the Illinois state prison serving time for a parole violation, but he was transferred this week back to Chicago to be arrested for the killings.
Charges were officially filed against him Tuesday morning.
Jennifer Hudson is staying at Donald Trump’s hotel
Don’t let the bad comb-over fool you. Donald Trump is really a nice guy.
Since the homicide of her mother, brother and nephew, Jennifer Hudson and her relatives have been staying at Donald’s Trump’s hotel for free.
Donald Trump told People magazine, that they are protecting the Hudson family during this difficult.
Jennifer has been staying at his hotel since her family members were killed.
This is nice of The Donald to provide Jennifer and family with a home that is protected from the public, the media and the paparazzi.
Looks like Donald isn’t such a bad guy after all.
Tim Henley
A public memorial service for Jennifer Hudson’s family
A public memorial service will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today (Nov. 2) in Chicago for Jennifer Hudson’s three relatives who were killed last week.
The public can attend and mourn the deaths of Jennifer’s mother, brother and nephew who were gunned down.
Jennifer’s brother-in-law in police custody, but no charges have been filed.
It’s bad enough to lose one relative in homicide, but losing three is unbearable. My thoughts go out to her and the other members of the Hudson family.
Tim Henley
Jennifer Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew found dead
Oscar winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson’s mother was shot and killed Friday, and police said they found the missing body of her 7-year-old nephew.
Authorities discovered her mother and brother’s dead bodies in a Chicago home Oct. 24.
Authorities have taken into custody a man named William Balfour. At time of the killings, Balfour was on parole for attempted murder and hijacking a vehicle.
The body of the 7-year-old was found in an SUV.
New York said Jennifer Hudson’s relationship won’t last
Tiffay Pollard, better known as New York from the reality shows “I Love New York” and “Flavor of Love” has been talking trash about Jennifer Hudson’s relationship with her
finance.
In an interview with the latest issue of In Touch Weekly magazine, New York suggested that Hudson and David Otunga’s relationship won’t last.
David was a contestant on New York’s dating reality show “I Love New Show” and his nickname on the show was “Punk.” New York ended up eliminating “Punk” from the show, and “Punk” later fell in love with singer/actress Jennifer Hudson, and they became engaged.
In the interview, New York said, “He’s really loving being Mr. Jennifer Hudson. I think he’s loving the lavish things she brings to his life. He’s seeing the world due to Jennifer’s success. “But can you love this person if they lose all of this tomorrow? She needs to find out. I just hope people are marrying each other for the right reasons.”
New York also said, “It’s a mixed match, it won’t work. He’ll be in her shadow like Al Reynolds was to Star Jones, like Stedman Graham is to Oprah.”
Ouch!! New York is too harsh. I think she’s a little jealous of the fact that she rejected “Punk,” and he rebounded and is now engaged to a woman who is more successful and more famous than she is.
I just have two words for New York…. Stop Hatin’
Tim Henley
American Idol watch
—- When season 8 of American Idol kicks off in January, a new judge will be added to the mix. Songwriter Kara DioGuardi will be the fourth judge alongside Randy, Paula and Simon. DioGuardi has written songs for Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears Pussycat Dolls, Celine Dion, Gwen Stefani, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Simpson, Avil Lavigne and Jonas Brothers.
—- American Idol season 5 contestant Paris Bennett, 20, gave birth to a 5-pound 15-ounce baby girl whom she named Egypt. Her Christmas CD “A Royal Christmans” will be released Oct. 14.
—- Season 6 contestant LaKisha Jones married, 28, married financial adviser Larry Davis. Some of her fellow idols were in attendance, including Gina Glocksen, Melinda Doolittle and Sanjaya Malakar.
—- David Archuleta, 16, filmed a guest appearance on Nickelodeaon’s “iCarly. ” The episode will air in the spring. His self-titled CD will be released Nov. 11.
—- Season 3 contestant Jennifer Hudson will star alongside Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning and Alicia Keys in the upcoming film “The Secret Life of Bees” which will be in theaters Oct. 17.
—- Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood will host the 42nd annual Country Music Association awards Nov. 12 along with Brad Paisley.
Paris Bennet, from left, and LaKisha Jones with her new Husband Larry Davis. (Associated Press photos)
Jennifer Hudson vs. Kellie Pickler
Two former American Idol contestants will go head to head this week on the Billboard charts as they have both decided to release their self titled albums on the same day(Sept. 30)
Hudson placed seventh during the season 3 of American Idol and Pickler placed sixth during season 5. Which one of the idols will sell more albums?
Jennifer Hudson
Strength:Hudson appeared in the musical film “Dreamgirls” where she won an Oscar and a Golden Globe award for best supporting actress. Her powerful vocals in the film lead audiences to give her a standing ovation in movie theaters across the country.
Weakness:Hudson has since slid into obscurity since her Oscar win. She hasn’t been in a leading role since “Dreamgirls.” Sure, she played a small role in the “Sex in the City” movie, but no one will remember her for that. Not to mention, her new song titled “Spotlight” isn’t getting much airplay on the radio.
Kellie Pickler
Strength: She comes across as being somewhat of an airhead, and that works to her advantage like it did with Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson. Her vocals are strong, and this is her second album. She has already built a fan base when she released her first album last year.
Weakness:Pickler is not necessarily a cross-over artist, so people outside of the country music community might not know who she is. Her song “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” has made it in the top 30 on the country charts, but I’m afraid that might not be enough strength to make the album sell well. For a while, Pickler was the newest American Idol contestant to make a splash on the country music scene. However, fellow American Idol alum Kristi Lee Cook has a country album that was recently released too, and the idol viewers might flock to Cook’s album instead.
Check back on Oct. 8 to find who sold the most albums.
Tim Henley
Jennifer Hudson is enaged to a reality TV star
American Idol star and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson is engaged and you’ll never guess who her fiance is. She’s engaged to a guy who went by the name Punk, on the reality show “I Love New York” on the VH1 channel.
Jennifer’s representative confirmed the engagement to People magazine. Punk’s real name is David Otunga. He came in third place on the VH1 reality show.
Jennifer Hudson won her Oscar last years for the musical “Dreamgirls.”
Several months ago, I heard that they were dating, but I always thought it was a false rumor. I guess I was wrong. There are still some unanswered questions that I would like to know. Where did they meet? How long have they been dating? etc. etc.
Maybe they will tell us soon.
Tim Henley
