On Sunday night, friends and family paid their respects to Jennifer Hudson’s slain mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian Hudson in a public memorial service at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church near their Chicago home.

Flanked by three of her students, Carmen Williams, Julian’s second grade teacher, spoke poignantly about the bubbly 7-year-old, and read a few comments from students’ journals.

“I’m sad he didn’t get to be President,” one child lamented, while others remembered a generous and funny boy who loved to tell knock-knock jokes and play Power Rangers.

“Julian was a role model, an academic whiz and a best friend,” Williams added. “You could look into his eyes and you knew he always had the right answer.”

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The body of a young black boy, who is “believed to be” the missing nephew of Jennifer Hudson, was discovered Monday in a white SUV.

During a news conference on an unrelated matter, FBI Deputy Director John Pistole said the body is “believed to be” the singer’s 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, according to CNN.

The white SUV was found abandoned on Chicago’s West Side, CNN reports. The boy was shot multiple times in the back of the vehicle, according to new reports.

Police have not officially identified the body, but the Chicago Tribune reports that Hudson’s family members – assuming the worst – organized a noon church vigil.

Several Hudson family members were also expected at the medical examiner’s office Monday afternoon to identify the body. Police Supt. Jody Weis plans to hold a press conference at 4 p.m.

The Chicago Police Department issued the following statement before noon Monday: “At approximately 7:06 A.M. a 1994 White Chevrolet Suburban bearing Illinois license plate X584859 and identified in the Amber Alert was located at 1313 S. Kolin. A body was discovered inside the Suburban, in the rear seat of the vehicle. Identification of the body will be made by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office following their examination. The vehicle is being processed for evidence and the investigation remains on-going.”

Julian King, 7, went missing Friday after an unidentified assailant fatally shot Hudson’s mother Darnell and brother Jason. Hudson offered $100,000 for the safe return of her nephew.

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While family and friends mourn the tragic death of Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother, who were shot and killed Friday, support for the singer continues to pour in. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, who shares the same Chicago hometown as the singer, issued a statement Saturday.

“Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy and we want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,” the Illinois senator said. “We also pray for the swift and safe return of her young nephew.”

Hudson sang the national anthem during the Democratic National Convention in August after a personal request from Obama’s camp.

“That was the biggest honor, I feel like, in my career – one of the greatest moments,” Hudson told people earlier this month. “I had to separate myself emotionally so I didn’t get too emotional while I was singing because I can’t sing and cry at the same time…. I was lucky to be a part of it.”

“She has done so much for the campaign. Everyone here was just so shocked and saddened,” Obama’s campaign said about Hudson in a statement issued to people.

Meanwhile, American Idol judge Randy Jackson also shared his condolences for Hudson and expressed his disbelief of what authorities are calling a double homicide.

“My heart and soul goes out to her and the rest of her family,” Jackson tells people. “Such a huge tragedy – I can’t even believe that it’s possible. Paula Abdul and I were just talking about it yesterday and it’s just so sad.”

Jackson also says he has reached out to the singer since news of the tragedy broke. “I left a couple of messages for her and I’m just trying to give to her whatever I can. My God. The world is an ugly place right now.”

source people mag

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One day after Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother were found shot to death in their Chicago home – and her 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.”

An Amber Alert was issued for the boy, Julian King, 7, on Friday and named Julia Hudson’s estranged husband, William Balfour, 27, as a suspect in the slayings. Balfour is in police custody for questioning, but no charges have been filed.

An autopsy confirmed that Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, died of gunshot wounds.

“It hurts,” Julia Hudson said of her mother and brother’s deaths. “We’re in a state of shock. I don’t know what else to do but pray.”

With the boy’s father, Greg King, by her side, Julia Hudson asked the public to keep an eye out for him, mentioning that he responds to nicknames like “Juice Box” and “Dr. King.” “He’s out there. Just let him go,” she said. Addressing her son, she added: “I love you. Mama’s looking for you.” The FBI have reportedly been called in to investigate King’s disappearance.

Julia added that sister Jennifer, 27, the Oscar-winning star of Dreamgirls and an American Idol alum, had flown in to be by her side as soon as she heard the tragic news. She said that upon hearing the news, Jennifer, “was screaming” and “flew in right away.”

Julian had been at his grandmother’s house on Friday and the two were, Julia said, “extremely close.”

“I worked, so he was always with her, day in and day out,” she said. “She did everything for him. She got him ready for school. She got him ready for bed.”

“My greatest fear has already happened,” Julia Hudson added. “My greatest hope is for him to come back.”

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Barack Obama has asked Jennifer Hudson to sing the national anthem on Thursday – the day of the presumptive Presidential candidate’s much-anticipated address to the Democratic convention in Denver, her rep tells people.

“His reps called and said we’d love for you to sing the anthem on Thursday,” Hudson’s rep tells people. “She’s thrilled and excited. It’s a tremendous honor.”

The DNC will not comment about Hudson’s performance until the official schedule is announced.

The Dreamgirls Oscar winner and Sex and the City movie costar, whose self-titled album will be out Sept. 30, has previously expressed a desire to help the Obama campaign. Read more…

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2 HOT TO HANDLE! HOT HOT!

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Jennifer Hudson is looking darn hot on the cover of her self-titled debut album!

And I am here to tell you that the Oscar-winner did not have any Mariah Carey-like retouching!

Yes, that’s Hudson’s waist and her ample top half. “She has a tiny waist,” a source insists.

In other words…

Say goodbye to zaftig Effie White from Dreamgirls.

Now, let’s get to the album. Hudson says touring could be next, after it’s released in September.

“I got to get out there and meet the people and the fans,” she told me when we chatted last month, shortly after the release of the album’s first single, “Spotlight.” “To me that is the best feeling in the world.”

And there may be a new musical collaboration in the works, too. There’s talk, Hudson says, of recording a song for the soundtrack of her upcoming movie, The Secret Life of Bees, with costars Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys. “It would be an honor for me to do a song with them,” Hudson cooed.

No word if their fourth costar, Dakota Fanning, will sing backup.

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The Oscar winner heeds the call of the wild in her giraffe-print Escada gown at the “Keep a Child Alive” Black Ball in London.

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Jennifer Hudson premiered her first music video for “Spotlight” (written by Ne-Yo) on Tuesday. The video was directed by Chris Robinson and is the first single off her self-titled debut album, in stores on September 30th.

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Dreamgirls stars Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson led the way at Tuesday’s Black Entertainment Television Awards in Los Angeles.

Hudson, 25, kicked off the three-hour ceremony with a duet of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” with Jennifer Holliday, who made the song famous on Broadway almost three decades ago.

The Oscar winner snagged the best actress trophy (”I can’t believe I’m still winning awards!” she said) and best new artist award.

Beyoncé, 25, who led the nominees with six nods, picked up awards for best female R&B artist and video of the year for “Irreplaceable.”

She also performed a show-stopping rendition of her dance anthem “Get Me Bodied” – followed by her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland singing “Like This” with cameos from Eve, Michelle Williams and Beyoncé’s sister Solange Knowles.

Later in the evening Diana Ross was given the lifetime achievement award, and urged younger performers to “keep it classy.” Introduced by Alicia Keys and Ross’s five children, the former Supreme was feted with a multi-song tribute that kicked off with Erykah Badu’s cover of “Love Hangover.”

Keys, in a green Monique Lhuillier gown, said later: “I was fortunate to be able to start off the honoring process for Ms. Diana Ross. It’s the main reason I’m here. … To be in the music business for 50 years, that is a feat! And to do it gracefully and with class is something we respect.”

The late James Brown, who died in December, also received a tribute, when Public Enemy performed “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud).” The night’s other big winners included Ne-Yo (best male R&B artist) Gnarls Barkley (best group) and Forest Whitaker (best actor).

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Jennifer Hudson would love to hear from you. The Oscar-winning actress and singer from Chicago (yes, she still lives there) says she’s ready to do what she can to get her senator elected president.

“I sang for Obama after I did Idol,” Hudson says. “I’m so proud and excited for him. I haven’t gotten a call from them yet, but he does have my support.”

I was on the phone with Hudson, 26, the day after she shot her first music video for “Spotlight,” her just-released single from her upcoming debut album. She’s a bit sleepy because the shoot lasted nearly 24 hours.

“I guess God gives me the strength,” Hudson said of her almost nonstop schedule since becoming the breakout star of Dreamgirls two years ago. “In this field you just sleep when you can.”

Well, life isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Ms. Hudson still has to finish the album, which is set to be released in September. “I still have a few more songs to go before it’s complete, but I think we’re kind of halfway there,” she said.

Hudson is anxious to hit the road with her music. “I want to tour,” she exclaimed. “I want to get out there. I’m looking forward to that.”

Of course, music isn’t the only thing Hudson is working on. She appears in this summer’s box-office hit Sex and the City, is part of the star-studded ensemble in the upcoming Winged Creatures, and she most recently wrapped The Secret Life of Bees opposite Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning.

“Queen Latifah is like a big sister to me,” Hudson said of the friendship that developed on the North Carolina set. “I honestly feel that. I just saw her and I feel like, God, I’m with my big sister and I got to make sure I’m on my best behavior.”

Although there’s no official word on a Sex and the City sequel, that doesn’t mean Hudson isn’t thinking about it. She would hope her character, Carrie Bradshaw’s assistant, Louise, would make a return. “I think she’d be married with a family,” Hudson says. “And she’d probably move next door to Ms. Bradshaw.”

One thing you won’t find her doing in an SATC follow-up is one of its signature sex scenes. “I only have one answer for that question,” she says when asked if she’d ever bare as much as Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall did in the flick, “and that is, ‘Nope!’”

But that doesn’t mean she’s not proud of her body. In fact, she’s not bothered by the media attention that’s been given to her ample bosom, like the story in the New York Post that was headlined “Put ‘Em Away Jennifer Hudson!”

“Hey, mine are real,” Hudson declared. “People pay to get them like this and then let them hang out. They pay for what I got naturally. Why can’t I flaunt the real ones? They’re the real deal.”

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