New Year's Rockin Eve Performances

From Ke$ha to Willow Smith to a slimmed-down Jennifer Hudson, artists performed on the annual Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest-hosted special

Jennifer Hudson Organizes a Toy Drive in Memory of Her Late Nephew

Jennifer Hudson suffered a tragedy, but they used this experience to brighten the holidays of other children, as the star of a campaign to organize the game in memory of killing her cousin.

Dreamgirls star wanted to focus on happier times, with seven-year-old Julian - who brutally murdered two years ago with the singer and actress mother and brother, Darnell Donerson Jason Hudson - Chicago event organized to help other children to enjoy the festive season.

She said: "It was a good way to Julian memory alive of the grace of other people during the holiday season for us, we have a Holiday Birth nooit'n sad, so we want Holiday Birth of other children as much fun for us was great .."

Jennifer's sister Julia has agreed to this and is the best way to honor her son's death.

She said: "Julian has always been a game you go home and see his bike in the street and say:" Why is your bike in the street? "." Oh, I've gone. "It would be right in the job I think I know he smiled, something that would be for him to do exactly .."

Jennifer - a son 16 months, David Daniel, her fiance David Otunga that - for the detection engine to create a game in memory improved Julian Holiday Birth, The David and helped with the children of this tragedy.

She said: "This is what makes me happy during the holiday season just a smile to someone sees or hears them or fluttering just very excited and it makes my holiday.

Jennifer Hudson's pregnancy confirmed

Grammy and Oscar award winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson is pregnant. It has long been rumored about the 27-year-old star, but a baby shower that took place over the weekend at the home of a relative confirmed the news. A longtime friend of Hudson's, Felicia Fields, said of the weekend get together, "It was a baby shower, a quiet gathering of friends and mostly family." Hudson's manager and publicist had previously denied that the Dream Girls star was pregnant, and her rep has made no comment on the subject.

Hudson is engaged to former reality TV star turned pro-wrestler David Otunga. It has been reported that Hudson is already seven months along, but the gender of the baby is unknown. As for a wedding date, everyone is keeping quiet about that.

Jennifer Hudson's Back! God Bless Her!

In her first performance since her family murder tragedy, Jennifer Hudson sang the National Anthem at Sunday’s Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa. We really feel for this poor gal! She did amazing and everyone is talking about it! What a voice! What are your thoughts on her performance? (Watch a YouTube clip of her performance.) Can't get enough of her? Hudson also is slated to sing at the Grammy Awards on Feb. 8 in Los Angeles.

Jennifer Hudson's Super return

Jennifer Hudson is to play live at the Super Bowl, her first performance since the murder of her mother, brother and nephew.

The 'Spotlight' star will sing the US national anthem at the showpiece of the American football season on February 1, to be held in Miami.

She certainly can nail it. She proved it at the Democratic National Convention.
A source said: "She certainly can nail it. She proved it at the Democratic National Convention."

Jennifer sang 'The Star Spangled Banner' in August 2008 at the convention where Barack Obama accepted his candidacy for the US Presidential election.

Jennifer's estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, 27, has been indicted on murder charges for the triple killing of the singer's mother Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and her nephew Julian King, the son of Jennifer's sister Julia.

It was reported Jennifer will sing at the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama on January 20, but these have downplayed.

She is also rumoured to be appearing at a Neil Diamond tribute on the night before the US Grammy awards, held on February 8, although this has also yet to be confirmed.

Jennifer is nominated for four Grammys, including Best R'n'B Album and Best Female R'n'B Vocal Performance.

Source

Jennifer Hudson has spoken out about being nominated for four Grammy Awards.

The actress is up for Album Of The Year, Best R&B Song, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Performance.

And she says she feels privileged to have been recognised.

‘It's been a childhood dream of mine to release an album,’ she said in a statement.

‘So to receive four Grammy nominations is truly a blessing. I'm extremely honoured and humbled by the nominations.’

Jennifer, 27, was devastated by the murders of her mum Darnell, brother Jason and seven-year-old nephew Julian King last month.

Her estranged brother-in-law William Balfour has been arrested in connection with the killings.

The Grammy Awards take place in the US in February.

IVideo News Network Entertainment Video: Hudson speaks out on Grammy Nominations

Photo and Source

Jealous killer William Balfour

Jennifer Hudson's brother-in-law allegedly killed the actress' mother, brother and nephew in a jealous rage.

William Balfour - who was officially charged with murdering Darnell Donerson Hudson, Jason Hudson and seven-year-old Julian King on Tuesday (02.12.08) - is said to have been overcome with envy after seeing Julia, Jennifer's sister, receive a birthday present from her new boyfriend.

Prosecutor LuAnn Snow told a Chicago court yesterday (03.12.08) that William had arrived unannounced to Julia's workplace in early October to confront her about rumours she was seeing another man.

Speaking after the hearing, Snow added: "He told her at the time that her family would suffer if she saw other men."

However, Julia did not take Balfour's intimidation seriously as he "had not followed through on any of those threats" before.

Snow also claimed Balfour had stolen the gun from Jason Hudson in the summer, and then used it to shoot him.

Reading from a legal document, Snow told the court: "Defendant then entered the home at gunpoint. He shot Darnell Donerson several times while she was in the living room area. He then went into Jason Hudson's bedroom, where he was in bed, and shot him two times in the head.

Defendant shot Julian King in the head while the seven-year-old was laying behind the front seat of the white SUV (sports utility vehicle)."Balfour's attorney Joshua Kutnick maintains his client is innocent of the three charges of first-degree murder and one of home invasion, despite police insisting they have physical evidence linking him to the crime.Balfour, who was denied bail yesterday, is next scheduled to appear in court on December 30.

Source

Justice for Jennifer Hudson...FINALLY!

If there's a hell, this guy is rotting in it...

Police arrested the estranged brother-in-law of Jennifer Hudson on Monday in the deaths of the entertainer's mother, brother and young nephew, taking him from a prison where he had been held on a suspected parole violation.

William Balfour was arrested at Stateville Correctional Center and released to detectives as he awaited formal charges in the shooting deaths of the singer and Oscar-winning actress' relatives, said Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond.

Until Monday, police had identified Balfour, 27, only as a "person of interest" in the investigation. He had not been charged by Monday evening, said Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.

The bodies of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were discovered Oct. 24 at the family's home on the South Side of Chicago. The body of 7-year-old Julian King was found three days later in a sport utility vehicle on the West Side. All three had been shot.

Police took Balfour into custody the same day the bodies of Donerson and Hudson were discovered. After 48 hours — the longest Chicago police can hold a person without charges — Balfour was taken by the Illinois Department of Corrections on the suspected parole violation.

Balfour — Julian's stepfather and the estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson's older sister, Julia Hudson — served seven years for a 1999 attempted murder and vehicular hijacking conviction.

His mother, Michelle Davis-Balfour of Chicago, told reporters outside a police station Monday night that authorities don't have a case against her son.

"If they found gun powder on his hands, you got a case; if they found a gun on him, he had a case; if they found a fingerprint on the truck that he did this, you got a case; but they don't have nothing," Davis-Balfour said.

Balfour had refused to take a lie-detector test and stopped cooperating with detectives, according to a police official who was not authorized to discuss the case publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Police have confirmed they found the gun used in the killings. The .45-caliber gun was discovered Oct. 29 in a vacant lot in the West Side neighborhood where the King's body was found a few days earlier.

Bond declined to discuss any evidence Monday. But after a hearing at the prison, the chairman of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board said a woman had told authorities that a gun used in the slayings was "identical" to the gun that was recovered.

At the time, board Chairman Jorge Montes said the evidence was key to a decision finding probable cause that Balfour violated his parole and should remain locked up pending a Dec. 3 hearing before a review board panel.

Balfour did not have an attorney at the November hearing, and the Cook County public defender's office said at the time that nobody from the office had been assigned because he was not formally charged with a crime.

No one in the public defender's office was assigned to Balfour's case late Monday, and it' was not clear whether he had other representation.

Jennifer Hudson kisses her mum goodbye at funeral

Actress struggles with her emotions at wake in Chicago

Jennifer Hudson attended an emotional funeral service on Monday to pay her last respects to her murdered family.

The actress, 27, was left devastated when the bodies of her mum Darnell, 57, brother Jason, 29, and nephew Julian King, 7, were discovered last month.

They had all suffered gunshot wounds.

During the 3-hour ceremony at the Apostolic Church Of God, Jennifer spent a moment by each of the coffins.

Looking down at her mum's body, she gently kissed her goodbye, reports the Chicago Tribune.

After the service, in which American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino sang, a horse-drawn carriage led the mourners to the cemetery.

Jennifer’s brother-in-law William Balfour remains in police custody.

Source

Jennifer Hudson in hiding

Jennifer Hudson has reportedly gone into hiding.

The Oscar-winning actress - who has been left devastated by the fatal shootings of her mother, brother and nephew - is so worried about her own safety she is refusing to leave the undisclosed hotel where she is being protected by bodyguards.

US blogger Liz Crokin alleges: "I can't disclose where Jennifer is staying - I can just tell you it's a hotel. She has bodyguards and the hotel she's staying at has a great security team. She only left to go to the medical examiner's office on Sunday night (26.10.08)."

Jennifer's brother-in-law William Balfour, the estranged husband of her sister Julia, has been named by police as the "person of interest" in the case, while other sources admit he is the chief suspect.

The 27-year-old is being held by police on charges of parole violation, and is also being questioned regarding the triple homicide.

Meanwhile, police found a handgun in an abandoned Chicago car park yesterday (29.10.08), which they believe was used in all three shootings.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, officers discovered the weapon less than a block away from where they found the body of Jennifer's seven-year-old son Julian King in the back of a white SUV (sports utility vehicle).

Source

Jennifer Hudson's sister's grief

Jennifer Hudson's sister Julia has opened her heart following the fatal shooting of her seven-year-old son on Friday (24.10.08).

Julia - whose mother Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother Jason Hudson, 29, were also shot dead at their Chicago home - thanked people for paying tribute to Julian King on her MySpace blog.

She wrote: "Thank you for all your loving support. I know some of you have your opinions and you are entitled to that, like why is she logging onto MySpace at a time like this. Let me tell you why - I was hoping it would be a way to maybe help me get my son, my baby, the one I carried under my heart for eight-and-a-half months, the son it took me 21 hours of labour to bring here, the son I grew to know and love for just a few months over seven years - that's why.

"And now for those of you who actually cared, thank you for all your words of encouragement, thank you for your prayers. His little soul is at ease, I take comfort in knowing that Julian is with my mother and my brother and most of all, the Lord. Now he is my angel - he is protecting me."

An autopsy confirmed yesterday (28.10.08) Julian had died of "multiple gunshot wounds", and his death was ruled a homicide by Chicago County's medical examiner's office.

It has since been reported Julian died of two shots to the head.

Julia's estranged 27-year-old husband William Balfour, who served seven years in prison for attempted murder and carjacking in 1999, is currently in custody being questioned about the triple-murder.

After reportedly refusing to cooperate with police, William - who is not Julian's father - is now being held for a parole violation but has yet to be charged with a crime.

William's alibi for the day of the murders is said to have been contradicted by his girlfriend.

Source

I hereby declare October 30, 2008, to be Nancy Grace Day!

Click on the pic to see Nancy Grace's interview with William Balfour's mother

I've refrained from posting my personal opinion about the Jennifer Hudson tragedy, mostly out of respect for Ms. Hudson (who I met a few times on the red carpet, back when she was with her hometown sweetheart, and she was nothing but a doll) and her deceased nephew (I have two young nephews myself, and if -- Gods forbid -- something happened to either of them, I couldn't be held responsible for what actions I take against the person who showed the supreme idiocy of hurting them), but after witnessing one too many media appearances by this joke of a "mother" -- William Balfour's birth vessel, that is -- and Julia Hudson's constant updating of her MySpace page as though everything was totally normal (woman, YOUR SON WAS KILLED! PLAN HIS FUNERAL, GRIEVE WITH DIGNITY, AND GROW THE F**K UP!), I FINALLY have to comment.

Let me explain something to people across America: you have EVERY right in the world to have your own life. Lord knows I have lashed out against every groupie and gold-digger in America, have called them every name in the English language (and a few in Spanish, Italian, and Sicilian), and think they should all be quarantined by order of the CDC...but at the end of the day, they're all consenting adults, and have every right to do what they want with their bodies. Most of my aggravation with groupies and gold-diggers lies with the fact that the vast majority of them are weak of character, otherwise-talentless except for primal skills that ANYONE can master with the help of a few "instructional" videos, and rife with insecurities, and I detest those type of people with the intensity of a thousand burning suns.

But as many of you who have followed my writings (both here and elsewhere) know equivocally, I reserve special venom for "women" who give birth to innocents and proceed to treat them as though they're little more than a cramp in their style...or, worse, place them in harm's way because of their weakness for "good d**k" (as Julia Hudson had on her MySpace page until recently).

You see, once you become a mother, it stops being all about YOU. It is your job, from the minute that child takes its first breath until the minute you take your last, to make sure that said child is safe from harm. No, you can't hold their hand every minute of every day, and nor can you protect your child from every monster and thing that goes bump in the night, but IT IS YOUR DUTY to ensure that you don't INVITE the boogeyman into the house, either.

Contrary to what a few of my journalist colleagues have unscrupulously mentioned, this attitude is NOT exclusive to the hip-hop (and, in a slimy racial undertone, the African-American) community. Hell, I've been a rock'n'roller since the days of Andrew Wood and Mother Love Bone (how's that for an obscure reference, kids?), and I can cite two VERY obvious examples in the rock'n'roll community about two groupies in particular who I frequently wish all sorts of bodily and psychic harm upon who do this EXACT thing.

(One is a nearly-60-year-old teacher who -- as an erstwhile guitarist once said -- acts worse than her students, who sold her own daughter out to troll MySpace, send harassing e-mails, and almost cost herself her entire career to follow a no-name, no-talent, barely-known bar band around with all the obsession of a New Kids on the Block fan [and, prior to that, she was equally obsessed with Hanson, which I don't know whether to laugh or cry about]. Another groupie, closer to my age, abandoned her child in another state to whore around New York City, do drugs, and sleep with every musician who said "hello" to her while calling herself a "band manager." I would sooner trust my teenage daughter to the care of Dina Lohan than trust my PLANTS -- let alone a band -- to this "manager's" care.)

For Julia Hudson, her weakness for "good d**k" cost her son, her brother, and her mother their lives. She invited William Balfour -- a convicted VIOLENT felon, who served time for attempted murder -- into her home, into her life, around her son. Did she really think that something like this wasn't going to happen? Even in her interviews, she comes across as someone who is more excited about the fact that she's Jennifer Hudson's sister (her plea for Julian's return looked like a poorly-acted B-movie) and getting ancillary attention as a result. I know it's politically correct to feel sorry for her, but the ones we SHOULD be feeling sorry for are the victims of this brutal crime, especially the seven-year-old victim. And when the "mother" of the victim is more concerned about her MySpace profile -- not to mention the fact that the "person of interest" is still on the TOP of her Top Friends list -- and getting "good d**k", who previously said she was a mother "whether she liked it or not," one has to wonder just how much she knew, or knows, about the circumstances surrounding that innocent boy's death.

As for William Balfour's mother, whom Nancy Grace mercilessly skewers in the above interview (though I miss Grace's early days; motherhood seems to have softened her take-no-prisoners approach), well, maybe instead of taking the "there's no way my little angel did this" (ma'am, I hate to tell you this, but he's a convicted violent felon who was raised in a household with OTHER convicted violent felons; his alibi cannot be positively verified; there are no other "persons of interest" in this case. As in the OJ case years ago, I have to wonder...WHO ELSE COULD IT BE, THEN?), she should have taken the responsible parent's approach (I know, tall order) and said, "I know what my child is capable of. The question is, did he do THIS?" Perhaps then I'd be more apt to respect her.

Click to view Nancy Grace in all her glory.

Jennifer Hudson's nephew identified

Jennifer Hudson's nephew was found dead in "the rear seat" of a car yesterday (27.10.08).

Julian King - the seven-year-old son of Jennifer's sister Julia - was discovered in the back of a white Chevrolet Suburban SUV (sports utility vehicle) in Chicago's West Side District early yesterday morning, Superintendent Jody Weis of the Chicago Police Department confirmed.

It has been reported Julian had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Jennifer had offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her nephew - who had been missing since Friday (24.10.08), the same day her mother Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother Jason Hudson, 29, were shot dead at their Chicago home - and issued an appeal for help in locating his whereabouts.

Jennifer officially identified the body along with other members of the Hudson family on Monday afternoon.

Mourners later organised an "impromptu" vigil outside the actress' family house in Chicago, and left teddy bears and flowers as a tribute to the deceased.

Jennifer's brother-in-law William Balfour - her sister Julia's estranged husband - is currently in custody being questioned about the triple-murder.

At the time of writing, police had confirmed 27-year-old William, who served seven years in prison for attempted murder and carjacking in 1999, was being questioned in relation to the killings.

After reportedly refusing to cooperate with police, William - who is not the boy's father - is now being held for a parole violation but has yet to be charged with a crime.

William's alibi for the day of the murders is said to have been contradicted by his girlfriend.

However, Superintendent Weis said he was "pretty optimistic" about finding the killer, adding: "Often there's lots of evidence left at a crime scene so I'm very confident that our forensic technicians will go through both areas with a fine-toothed comb, and I suspect there will be some evidence that will link us to the killer."

Referring to William's connection to the case, Weis said: "We are following any lead that we can get right now. He's a person of interest, but that's not to say that there's not other individuals that may turn up. Right now we are just following the facts we have and we are following the evidence we have."

Source

More Tragedy for Jennifer Hudson

Just when you thought this tragedy couldn't get any worse...

Police searching for Jennifer Hudson's missing 7-year-old nephew found the body of a young boy Monday in the same SUV sought in the manhunt for the boy.

Authorities didn't identify the body, that of a young black boy, found in the rear seat of the the SUV and an autopsy was planned for Tuesday.

Illinois State Police said an Amber Alert for the missing boy, Julian King, was canceled Monday because the SUV had been located. And police Cmdr. Wayne Gulliford said the license plate listed in the alert matched the plate on the SUV found Monday.

The alert was issued Friday after the mother and brother of the Oscar-winning actress and singer were found shot to death at home Friday. Julian, who lives in the home, hadn't been seen since.

In Washington, FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole said at a news conference that authorities found a body "who we believe to be the missing victim in Chicago, the nephew of Jennifer Hudson. We are working with Chicago police to get a positive identification of the victim."

Hudson, 27, offered $100,000 Sunday for information leading to his safe return. Julian is the son of Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia Hudson.

Telephone and e-mail messages left Monday for Hudson's publicist were not unreturned.

The alert listed William Balfour, the estranged husband of Julia Hudson, as a suspect in a "double homicide investigation." He is not the boy's father and has not been charged in the slayings.

Police said they did not have a motive for the killings but called the case "domestic related."

Balfour, 27, was taken into custody Friday by Chicago police for questioning in the killings. On Sunday, he was transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections "based on his active parole violation unrelated to this investigation."

Records from the Corrections Department show Balfour is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle.

Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said Balfour would probably remain in state custody until the Illinois Prisoner Review Board looked at his case. She would not say where Balfour was being held.

It was unclear whether Balfour had an attorney Sunday, but his mother, Michele Balfour, has denied he was involved the killings or in Julian's disappearance.

Hudson, who won an Academy Award in 2007 for her role in "Dreamgirls," was in Chicago during the weekend. The medical examiner's office confirmed Hudson, 27, identified the bodies of her mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson. The deaths were ruled homicides.

Hudson appealed to the public for help, offering the reward and asking any information be given to Chicago police.

"Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian," said a statement from her publicist.

Boy's body 'believed to be' Jennifer Hudson's missing nephew

Dead child discovered in a white SUV

The body of a child found in a white Chevy Suburban this morning is 'believed to be' that of Jennifer Hudson's nephew.
FBI Deputy Director John Pistole has told reporters the FBI is working with the Chicago Police Department to confirm the identity of Julian King, reports CNN.

An Amber Alert to find the 7-year-old was issued on Friday - after his grandmother and uncle were found murdered at their home.

Jennifer, who has offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of the little boy, will be hoping desperately that the child is not her 4ft 11in nephew who was wearing a striped brown polo shirt and khaki pants when he disappeared.

On Saturday, her sister Julia made a tearful plea to whoever was holding Julian.

'My greatest fear has already happened, my greatest hope is for having my child. I just want my son,' Julia said. 'That's all I have to say. Just let my baby go.'

Julia's estranged husband (Julian's stepdad), William Balfour, is in police custody.

Source

Tragedy Strikes Jennifer Hudson

The Oscar-winning actress from Dreamgirls and American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother were two victims of a fatal shooting in Chicago, the actress's publicist says. Both her family members have died.

"We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson," rep Lisa Kasteler tells PEOPLE. "No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."

The victims' bodies were found by officers Friday in a South Side home listed in the name of Hudson's mother, and police say the shooting appeared to be related to a domestic disturbance.

Hudson's nephew Julian King was kidnapped – the Oscar winner's sister Julia made an impassioned plea for her son's return. "I don't care who you are, just let the baby go," Julia Hudson said in a press conference held at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday. "I just want my son. He don't deserve this." The 7 year-old boy is still missing.

Jennifer Hudson: Mother and brother have been killed

The mother and brother of Jennifer Hudson have been killed.

Shots were heard in the vicinity of a house owned by the family in Chicago yesterday and 2 bodies - a man and a woman - were discovered by a relative.

The identities of the deceased have now been confirmed as Darnell, 57, and son Jason.

'We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson and her brother Jason Hudson,' rep Lisa Kasteler tells People.

'No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.'

Police have cordoned off the house and a large crowd has gathered outside, reports myfoxchicago.com.

'We are handling a double-homicide,' Chicago police spokesman Officer John Mirabelli confirms. 'Those [two] victims sustained fatal gunshot wounds.'

A 27-year-old man has been taken into custody and is being questioned by authorities, reports the Associated Press.

Jennifer, 27, starred in Sex And The City: The Movie as Carrie's Bradshaw's personal assistant and won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls.

She is currently in Los Angeles where she's been preparing to shoot a music video to promote her new album.

Photo and Source

Billboard Top Ten Taking Shape

The Billboard album chart is starting to shape up, and is looking like a third straight number one debut from rapper, T.I. Also debuting in the top ten will be Jennifer Hudson, Kellie Pickler, Jack's Mannequin, Robin Thicke, James Taylor, and Ben Folds. Needless to say it will be a huge week for debuts, fourth quater has officially begun!

Jennifer Hudson Engaged

Former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson is engaged to reality tv star David Otunga, aka 'Punk!' The 'I Love New York 2' star Otunga reportedly proposed to Hudson by presenting her with a Neil Lane diamond ring on her 27th birthday.

“I can confirm that Jennifer got engaged to her boyfriend David on Friday night in L.A.” her rep tells People. David is a 2006 graduate of Harvard Law.

The couple have been dating for less than a year. Hmmmm. Red flag. Well, congrats to them both!
Jennifer's new album comes out on September 30th.

Lepaparazzi News Update: Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson
BEImages

Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson took the stage at the Kodak Theater, breathlessly thanking God twice for her DreamGirls win and saying her grandmother was her inspiration.

"If my grandmother was here this evening to see me now… she was my biggest inspiration for everything because she was a singer and she had the passion for it, but she never had the chance," said Hudson, 25, breaking into tears. "And that was the thing that pushed me forward to continue."

Thankfully Hudson took off that hideous tinfoil caplet before accepting her award. Not only was her jacket a fashion "don't," it also covered up her curvaceous body.

Hudson was one of several voluptuous women who stole the show from the string of skinny sirens who usually rule Hollywood's most glamorous soiree.

Little Children star Kate Winslet, 31, clad in a figure-hugging mint green Valentino gown, acknowledged that she's a "record-breaker," winning more Oscar nominations for her generation than any of her pint-sized contemporaries.

"It's amazing. This kind of stuff isn't supposed to happen to someone like me who comes from a small town and was told I was only going to get parts for fat girls," she said.

Devil Wears Prada nominee Meryl Streep can be equally proud to throw her Oscar weight around. The 57-year-old actress has been nominated 14 times.

"And I'm a size 14, so it all matches," she said.

Then there was Hudson who put on 20-plus pounds for her role as Effie. Hudson said she slimmed down for the red carpet the old fashioned way: hard, hard work.

"I worked with my trainer, LaFonza Alston in Chicago through the summer," she told Ryan Seacrest during a red carpet interview. "I'd get up at 4 in the morning, go running for an hour and then go back to the gym at one o'clock."

Hudson dropped 25 pounds by eating salads, grilled chicken and nuts – and by making sure her food portions were no bigger than her hand.

"You've got to work for it," she says. "And I'm a firm believer: If it's not worth working hard for, it's not worth working at all."
[Source]