Jennifer Hudson
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Jennifer Hudson is ready for the holiday season. The EGOT winner stars in Old Navyâs âLove is In the Houseâ holiday campaign released last month and recently debuted her first-ever holiday album, The Gift of Love.
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The campaign features Hudsonâs rendition of âWinter Wonderland,â from her holiday album. Hudson will kick off a four-city tour at The Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 24.
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The tour stops at The Chicago Theatre in Hudsonâs hometown on Dec. 13, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on Dec. 18, and wraps at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Dec. 21 and 22.
The Gift of Love album will also be available for purchase at select Old Navy stores on the tour.
Jennifer Hudson x Old Navy Holiday Campaign
Old Navy
Old Navyâs âLove Is In the Houseâ campaign spotlights the holiday style staples â from embellished and metallic denim to puffer coats, fleece zip-ups, festive sweaters and Jingle Jammies. The holiday ad features Hudson hosting a holiday party wearing Old Navyâs High-Rise Rockstar Jeans in Black Shine, Long Sleeve Sweetheart Velvet Top, and black faux-fur jacket â currently 40% off during Old Navyâs limited sale (the sale ends on Nov. 11).
Last week, Billboard caught up with Hudson to chat about Old Navy, her holiday album and all things festive. Â
What do you love most about the holidays?
What got me most excited about this holiday season is the venture with Old Navy, the holiday album and to do a holiday commercial. My biggest goal is to add to everyoneâs holiday traditions, that would be like the ultimate Christmas gift for me. I feel like Old Navy is a part of all of us. For me, growing up and seeing the Old Navy commercials and now having one? Thatâs insane! Thatâs the gift.
What took you so long to release a holiday album?
I could never figure out what songs to do! And I also wanted to really dedicate the time to it, and I feel like there was no better time than now. With the Jennifer Hudson Show, I feel like my family has expanded. Why not take my holiday family traditions and share it with the world? Thatâs why my album is called The Gift of Love. My son named the album. I love music and holiday carols and things like that and Iâm like âwhere do I even begin to narrow the songs down?â I went around with that for a long time, and I finally dwindled it down to [15] songs.
How did you narrow down the songs?
I decided to make it really personal. âOh Holly Nightâ is my favorite holiday song, âHallelujahâ is why I wanted to do [the album] to begin with, itâs the heart of the album. My grandma used to love hearing âThe Christmas Song,â I grew up listening to that so that had to be on the album. I can relate to all of the songs on the album in a personal way.
What are some of your favorite things to wear during the holiday season? Â Â
Old Navy Jingle Jammies! I love stuff like that because we like to be [cuddled] up during the holiday season. Itâs just the coziness, I love mushiness, fuzzy socks, or even fancy things like the Faux Fur Zip-Up Jacket that I wore in the Old Navy commercial, which I took home with me. We always do the glamour and the glitz, but what do you wear when youâre snuggled up by the fire, or when youâre at home? Thatâs the time when we get to relax and rest. It gets cozy. Iâm from Chicago where itâs cold out, you want to be in the house and have your hot chocolate and all those things.
What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?
Being with family. Everyone is on one accord, itâs just a beautiful synergy in the air. Iâm a big family person, so [the holidays are] a time when we all come together. Thereâs a song on my album [called] âMake It to Christmas.â Sometimes we spend all year working and the one time we get to be at home and be together is during the holiday season.
Do you like to host holiday parties?
Oh my goodness, yes! If youâre not into the holidays, by the time I get done with you, you will be! Especially having a kid and making sure there are gifts and different festivities for all the kids. We do ice skating, give out gifts, have holiday parties. We do a bunch a different festive things leading up to [Christmas].
How early do you start decorating?
Iâm ready for my decorations right now. My tradition normally though is the lights are revealed right after Thanksgiving dinner, but now that I have a holiday album my holiday season officially started on Oct. 18, the day that I released my holiday album. Iâll call that âhomecoming day,â which will officially set off the holiday season. I started my Christmas music from that day forward.
Where do you plan to spend the holidays?
Right now Iâm in LA, but like my song says, âI will make it home by Christmas.â Iâll make it [home to Chicago] in time for Christmas.
How early do you start decorating?
Iâm ready for my decorations right now. My tradition normally though is the lights are revealed right after Thanksgiving dinner, but now that I have a holiday album my holiday season officially started Oct. 18, the day that I released my holiday album. Iâll call that âhomecoming day,â which will officially set off the holiday season. I started my Christmas music from that day forward.
Where do you plan to spend the holidays?
Right now Iâm in Los Angeles, but like my song says: âI will make it home by Christmas.â Iâll make it [home to Chicago] in time for Christmas.
I love the âspirit tunnelâ that guests walk through on your show, where did the idea come from?
I may be the âPrincess of Christmasâ and the âPrincess of Soul,â but I call myself the âQueen of Sprit.â The staff and crew are amazing they came up with that big, bright idea. I donât know [how] they came up with it, maybe they concocted it knowing I love to celebrate everything and sing about anything. They were like âhow about we put this concept together?â and now, when you come to the Jennifer Hudson Show we want you to know that you are loved and celebrated.
By the time you leave you should walk out in better spirits. What better way to hit them with the spirit tunnel then when you walk through the door? [The staff] even sings me down. They make every lyric personal to every guest. They have dance steps, Iâm like when is rehearsal? Thatâs the energy that we have around and the environment I feel like everyone should have no matter where you are. It should be filled with love and celebration, and we should be lifting each other up. Thatâs why we call it the âhappy place.â Thatâs the environment weâve created. Â
Watch Hudsonâs Old Navy commercial below.
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Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty
The rumors have been swirling around for months, but this week Common and Jennifer Hudson confirmed that they are dating.
The rapper is set to appear on The Jennifer Hudson Show today (Jan. 22).Â
In a teaser preview, Hudson, 42, introduces the Chicago rapper with a rap freestyle saying, âNow yâall know Iâm a singer, but Iâve been around this hip-hop thing a little bit.â When he emerges, Common, 51, presents her with a large floral bouquet.Â
âNow, we gotta get down to business, Mr. Common. Iâm a host and so I have to ask you this question âcause everybody always wanna know this â are you dating anyone?â Hudson asks in the clip.Â
âIâm in a relationship that is with one of the most beautiful people I ever met in life,â he said coyly. âSheâs smart, she loves God, she has something real down-to-earth about her, sheâs talented.â
âBut I set my standard kind of high because she had to have an EGOT,â he continued. âShe had to win an Oscar on her first movie. I set my stand high. She had to get her own talk show.â
In the clip, Hudson blushes at his response.Â
They then reverse the performance with him asking her if she is seeing anyone and she responds that she is âvery happyâ in her current relationship.Â
Common adds, âThis relationship is a happy place for me,â he shared. âSeeing her happy actually makes me really happy. So, Iâm very grateful. I thank God each and every day, and Iâm just letting God guide this relationship.â
The couple are both Chicago natives and rumors have been swirling that they were dating for nearly a year after they were seen out and about together in both Philadelphia and their hometown.Â
In November, Hudson sat down for an interview with Gayle King where she also confirmed that she was âvery happy.âÂ
âWord on the street is youâre very happy,â co-host Gayle King asked, according to BET. âI am very happy, yes maâam,â the singer replied, though she stopped short of name-dropping who the person is.
âIn a very nice relationship with someone who shall remain nameless,â King added.
It looks like that special âsomeoneâ is no longer nameless.Â
Check out the full clip below.Â
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Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Jason Lee is getting dragged on social media after he called Jennifer Hudson, an EGOT winner, illiterate while he was a guest host on The Breakfast Club. The Hollywood Unlocked founder is catching all the smoke for the apparent disrespect.
Lee promptly placed his whole foot in his mouth when discussed Jeezy and Jeannie Mae divorce with Charlamagne. Mae appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show to tell her side of the story, and Lee seemed to be offended her didnât break the news on his outlet.
âThatâs where you go when you want to get your word across, I guess,â said Lee, with all the shade. âWe all know Jennifer Hudsonâs illiterate.â He discussed Mae furtherâhe didnât believe her storyâbut by this time Hudson fans and Lee dislikers were seeing red. But he wasnât done, adding, âPeople who forgot, especially Jennifer Hudson, this is why these daytime talk shows are failing, âcause yâall donât be doing your real work⌠Cancel âThe Jennifer Hudson Showâ because she let Jeezy take a hit by that woman who only wanted her dark meat on the side.â
Social media was quick to point out that Lee has history of coming for Black women, dating back to his time on the case of VH1âs Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.
Jennifer Hudson has recently been romantically linked to Common, but we hope he doesnât bother, for cultural purposes.Â
Anyway, we compiled some of the best slander, for archival purposes, in the gallery.
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Source: Erika Goldring / Getty
The iconic Ramova Theatre is set to reopen in Chicago with the help of Quincy Jones, Jennifer Hudson and Chance The Rapper. The three natives of the city are now part of an ownership group that has reclaimed the theater which first opened in 1929.Â
The Ramova was a popular movie theater in the Bridgeport neighborhood of South Side Chicago until it shut down in 1985, according to Blavity.
âI believe the cultural divides in our communities will always be bridged and uplifted by music and the arts,â the 90-year-old Jones said in a statement. âWith Ramova, I see a future where the rich cultural heritage of Chicago shines even brighter alongside the countryâs most talented artists, which will inspire future generations to come and bring glory to Americaâs Second City.âÂ
In her statement, Hudson referenced her late mother, Darnell Donnerson who was killed in the city in 2008. âMy mother always taught us to take care of home first, so to support the rehabilitation of this extraordinary theater with such a rich history in Chicago means more to me than one could imagine,â Hudson said. âI am honored and thrilled to help build this new home for artists and highlight this special community in new ways that will reach far beyond the neighborhoods we call home.â
The Ramova Theater features an iconic sign and spanish-inspired architecture, it became the jewel of the neighborhood â a place for people to gather and communities to come together, according to the official website.Â
It will now be reimagined as a 1500+ person live concert hall, independent craft brewery, beer garden and grill.
âWeâre doing a complete rehabilitation to this pillar in the community, bringing back its historic grill, creating a world-class entertainment space, adding a brewery where we hope people will meet their new best friends. Weâre working closely alongside locals who have kept this space standing to allow us this opportunity to do something special for Bridgeport and Chicago,â developer Tyler Nevius wrote.Â
The Ramova Theater, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, will also amplify educational programs and workshops, as well as community initiatives from local non-profits.
âChicago will always be part of who I am,â Chance The Rapper said in his statement. âI joined the team at Ramova to give back to the city thatâs given me so much and to provide a stage to showcase the incredible talent Chicago has to offer. This is our moment to revitalize Chicago neighborhoods through one of the most beautiful ways possible â the arts.â
The space is set to open in Fall 2023.Â
Fans were seeing double while watching the Jennifer Hudson Show on Wednesday (March 22), when Coco Jones joined the American Idol alum on the couch as a guest.
âDo we look alike to yâall?â Hudson asked the audience, who broke out in cheers in agreement.
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When asked if she gets mistaken for Hudson a lot, Jones replied, âI get that so often that honestly at this point I just play into it.â She then began jokingly singing the opening lines to Hudsonâs incredible rendition of the Dreamgirls track âAnd I Am Telling You Iâm Not Going.â
The talk show host then agreed that she too gets the resemblance comments. âPeople say, âWho would you want to play you?â And I see your name keep popping up,â she said, before the âICUâ singer replied, âStop playing with me. Iâm ready at this point.â
Jones continued, âI take it as such a compliment, because you know you have been so impactful in my life. Just watching you, another beautiful dark-skinned woman, killing it. Thatâs my motivation.â
Before her inevitable role in a Hudson biopic, Jones is currently starring in the Peacock original series, Bel-Air, which was recently renewed for a season three. Watch the full Jennifer Hudson Show interview below.
Jennifer Hudson and Amber Riley are bonding over their mutual experience of starring in Dreamgirls.
On the Monday (Dec. 5) episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show, the Glee star and the EGOT winner bonded over both playing Effie White in the musical and its movie musical rendition, and gave the audience in attendance a taste of their vocal prowess by duetting on the bombastic track âAnd I Am Telling You Iâm Not Going,â originally performed by Jennifer Holliday.
During the pairâs sit-down, Hudson â who starred as Effie in 2006âs Dreamgirls movie and won an Oscar for best supporting actress â revealed that she âmade it a pointâ to see Riley during the 2016 run of the play on Londonâs West End.
âPlaying Effie and you know that â Iâm sure you became very close to that character like I [did]. Having her story be this gift and not being able to be out in the front, and I felt that,â the Glee actress said, adding that âDoing things like The Masked Singer, Dancing With the Stars, I get to triumph, be triumphant for those stories. I get to be the winner for those stories and itâs just full-circle for me.â
Following their discussion, Hudson and Riley gave a live rendition of âAnd I Am Telling You Iâm Not Going,â belting the songâs endless high notes with ease.
âAnd I am tellinâ you Iâm not goinâ/ Youâre best man Iâve ever known/ Thereâs no way I can ever go/ No, no, thereâs no way/ No, no, no, no, way,â the pair took turns singing. âIâm not livinâ without you/ Iâm not livinâ without you/ I donât wanna be free/ Iâm stayinâ, Iâm stayinâ/ And you, and you/ Youâre gonna love me.â
Watch Hudson and Rileyâs performance in the video below.
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