Emotions ran high as Jennifer Hudson joined students from Sandy Hook Elementary School for a powerful performance of “America the Beautiful” moments before kickoff at Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday. Looking elegant in a black top and white pencil skirt, the Oscar winner showed her stars and stripes as she belted out the patriotic tune.

“Such a privilege to be performing w the Sandy Hook elementary chorus at the #SuperBowl today,” tweeted J-Hud.

The performance comes a little more than a month after 26 children and faculty members were killed in the tragic mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

Read the rest of this entry »

Beyoncé. Alicia Keys. And now Jennifer Hudson is the latest diva to join the lineup for Sunday’s Super Bowl festivities. The Oscar winner will perform “America the Beautiful” with students from Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Read the rest of this entry »

During the 2009 inauguration, Beyoncé performed Etta James’ “At Last” as Barack and Michelle Obama took their first dance as President and First Lady. Last night, her Dreamgirls co-star Jennifer Hudson had the privilege of singing Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” as the First Couple danced at the Commander-in-Chief’s Inaugural Ball.

The President called his wife (“My better half—and my dance partner”) to the stage as the Oscar winner serenaded them with the soulful cover before they traded partners and danced with members of the military.

“Right now the President and First Lady will dance to Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together,’ to be performed by… ME!!! Yes! Amazing night!” tweeted J-Hud.

The FLOTUS also tweeted about the special moment. “Just danced to ‘Let’s Stay Together’ with the love of my life and the President of the United States. I’m so proud of Barack,” she wrote.

Read the rest of this entry »

Alicia Keys landed in Park City, Utah, on Thursday for a surprise appearance at the Sundance Film Festival to promote her new film The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete. While she does not star in the coming-of-age story, the “Girl on Fire” is an executive producer and handled the score.

Her Secret Life of Bees co-star Jennifer Hudson leads the cast, which also includes Jordin Sparks, Anthony Mackie, and Skylan Brooks.

“I was really drawn to the script immediately and I loved the fact that it was so powerful,” Alicia told HitFix. “It was very engaging in a way that was unique and I felt like it really got to the heart of the human experience.”

She was excited to share the movie with festivalgoers for the first time. “Headed to #Sundance for the first time! So proud to share the film I produced with the world!” tweeted Alicia, who will kick off her “Set the World on Fire” tour with Miguel on March 7 in Seattle.

For her next role, she is rumored to be playing the legendary Lena Horne in an upcoming biopic. “That would be a dream project for me,” said Alicia, who would not confirm the reports.

Read the rest of this entry »

Jennifer Hudson has conquered movies and music, and now she’s taking on a new role, starring in a multi-episode arc on NBC’s musical drama “Smash.”

The producers are not letting her many talents go to waste. In a sneak peek from an upcoming episode, Hudson’s character Veronica “Ronnie” Moore belts out the big ballad “I Can’t Let Go” with cast members Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty singing back up. The new season of “Smash” kicks off February 5.

See J-Hud’s smash-ing performance below.

Read the rest of this entry »

Some of music and Hollywood’s biggest stars gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Whitney Houston during the tribute special “We Will Always Love You: A GRAMMY Salute to Whitney Houston,” which aired last night on CBS. The one-hour event featured performances from those Whitney inspired, with presenters including Halle Berry, Britney Spears, Taraji P. Henson, Clive Davis, and LL Cool J.

Jennifer Hudson had the audience on its feet with a dance medley of “I’m Every Woman,” “How Will I Know,” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).” Celine Dion paid homage to her fellow diva with one of her personal faves, “The Greatest Love of All.” Usher performed “I Believe in You and Me” from The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack, and CeCe Winans and Yolanda Adams dueted on “Count on Me” as Whitney’s daughter Bobbi Kristina and other members of her family looked on.

Plus, the show included footage from the late legend’s first-ever television appearance on “The Merv Griffin Show,” her unforgettable rendition of the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV in 1991, and her iconic performance of “I Will Always Love You” at the 1994 Grammys.

Read the rest of this entry »

Prior to hitting the stage at the Samsung Galaxy Note II launch party, Kanye West rubbed shoulders with fashion’s elite at a cocktail reception to celebrate the Versace SoHo store opening. Mr. West was casual in a leather jacket, patchwork sweatpants, and Air Yeezy IIs as he made his way inside to meet up with his peers including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, and Melanie Fiona.

J-Hud was elegant with an orange Versace jacket draped over her shoulders, while Gaga opted for a furry hat and matching jacket. A blonde Melanie Fiona went for a street chic look in all black everything.

Read the rest of this entry »

Some of Whitney Houston’s most famous fans will pay tribute to the late singer at a concert next month. Usher and Jennifer Hudson are among the first performers announced for “We Will Always Love You: A GRAMMY Salute to Whitney Houston.”

Read the rest of this entry »