The Short Answer
Yes, Jennifer Hudson has one child. The singer and actress is the mother of a son, David Daniel Otunga Jr., born August 10, 2009. His father is Hudson's ex-fiancé, former professional wrestler and lawyer David Otunga, to whom she was engaged from 2008 until their split in 2017.
Hudson, born Jennifer Kate Hudson on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, became the youngest woman and third African-American recipient of all four major American entertainment awards — Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT) in 2022. She was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013, and Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020.
Who Is Jennifer Hudson?
Jennifer Kate Hudson, known as J.Hud, was born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois. She first gained fame as a finalist on American Idol season 3 (2004), finishing seventh — then achieved what no winner of her season did: an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her film debut as Effie White in Dreamgirls (2006), with the show-stopping "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."
Her music career brought Grammy Awards (including Best R&B Album), her Broadway producing work brought a Tony, and a daytime Emmy completed her EGOT in 2022 — the youngest woman ever to achieve it. She now hosts the daytime talk show The Jennifer Hudson Show and starred as Aretha Franklin in Respect (2021).
Early Life and Birthday
Jennifer Hudson was born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of three children of Darnell Donerson and Samuel Simpson. Raised in Englewood on Chicago's South Side, she sang in church choirs from age seven and graduated from Dunbar Vocational High School in 1999. She briefly worked at Burger King — a job she has joked about ever since.
After singing on a Disney cruise ship, she auditioned for American Idol in 2004, finishing seventh in a controversial elimination. Simon Cowell predicted she would outlast the winner — and her Dreamgirls Oscar two years later proved him right.
Children and Family
Jennifer Hudson has one child: her son David Daniel Otunga Jr., born August 10, 2009, with her ex-fiancé David Otunga. Hudson and Otunga got engaged in 2008; they split in 2017 after nearly a decade together, with Hudson receiving primary custody of David Jr., now 17. She keeps him largely out of the spotlight, though he occasionally appears at her events.
Hudson's family story includes profound tragedy: in October 2008, her mother Darnell, brother Jason and 7-year-old nephew Julian were murdered in Chicago by her sister's estranged husband — a devastating loss that occurred just as her career was peaking. She established the Hudson-King Foundation for families of slain victims and has spoken about faith carrying her through. Her surviving sister Julia is her closest family.
Relationships and Marriage
Jennifer Hudson was engaged to former WWE wrestler and Harvard-educated lawyer David Otunga from 2008 to 2017. They met through mutual friends, got engaged in 2008 and welcomed son David Jr. in 2009, but never married; their 2017 split involved a custody dispute that was resolved with Hudson as primary custodian.
Since 2022, Hudson has been in a relationship with rapper and actor Common (Lonnie Lynn), going public in 2024. The Chicago-rooted romance — two of the city's biggest stars — has been a feel-good story, with both speaking warmly about each other in interviews.
Career Highlights
Hudson's career is a triumph-over-everything story. The Dreamgirls Oscar at 25 made her an instant legend; her self-titled debut album won the Grammy for Best R&B Album. She earned a second Grammy, produced the Tony-winning A Strange Loop, and won a Daytime Emmy as executive producer of Baba Yaga — completing her EGOT in 2022.
She played Aretha Franklin in Respect (2021) — handpicked by Franklin herself — won The Voice UK as a coach, and launched The Jennifer Hudson Show in 2022, whose "spirit tunnel" entrances became iconic. Time's 2020 Top 100 and a 2013 Hollywood Walk of Fame star round out a career of rare distinction.
EGOT Journey and Dreamgirls
Jennifer Hudson's EGOT — completed in 2022 — made her the youngest woman and third African-American to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. The journey: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her film debut as Effie White in Dreamgirls (2006) — "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" remains one of cinema's great musical moments; Grammy Awards including Best R&B Album; a Tony producing A Strange Loop; and a Daytime Emmy as executive producer.
She was handpicked by Aretha Franklin herself to play the Queen of Soul in Respect (2021). She won The Voice UK as a coach, was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013, and Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in 2020. From seventh-place American Idol finisher to the most honored entertainer of her generation — Simon Cowell's prediction came true.
Tragedy, Resilience and Talk Show
In October 2008, Hudson's mother Darnell, brother Jason and 7-year-old nephew Julian were murdered in Chicago — a devastation that struck just as her career peaked. She responded by founding the Hudson-King Foundation for families of slain victims and has spoken about faith carrying her through. Her first public performance after the tragedy — the national anthem at the 2009 Super Bowl — was a moment of national healing.
She now hosts The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022–), whose "spirit tunnel" entrances became iconic, and raises son David Jr. (17) largely out of the spotlight. In a relationship with Common since 2022, the 45-year-old has turned unimaginable loss into a legacy of resilience and joy.
The Jennifer Hudson Show Era
The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022–) turned the EGOT winner into daytime TV's most joyful host — the "spirit tunnel" entrances, the powerhouse vocals, the empathetic interviews. The show earned Daytime Emmy nominations and a devoted audience, proving her warmth translates beyond the stage. Her "I Got This" theme and Kellyoke-style performances made it appointment viewing.
In a relationship with Common since 2022 — Chicago's two biggest stars, finally together — she has spoken about happiness after hardship. Raising David Jr. (17) largely out of the spotlight, honoring her family's memory through the Hudson-King Foundation, the 45-year-old EGOT winner embodies resilience: the seventh-place Idol finisher who became, by every measure, one of the most honored entertainers alive.
Lesser-Known Facts About Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson once worked at Burger King — she has joked about it ever since becoming famous. She sang on a Disney cruise ship before American Idol, and finished seventh on season 3 in a result so controversial that Elton John publicly objected. Simon Cowell predicted she would outlast the winner — her Dreamgirls Oscar two years later proved him right.
She was handpicked by Aretha Franklin to play her in Respect (2021) — Franklin personally chose Hudson years before the film was made. Her Hudson-King Foundation supports families of slain victims, born from her own 2008 tragedy. In a relationship with Common since 2022, mother of David Jr. (17), the 45-year-old EGOT winner hosts daytime TV's most joyful show.
Where Is Jennifer Hudson Now?
Today, Jennifer Hudson hosts The Jennifer Hudson Show, records and performs, and raises 17-year-old David Jr. — in a relationship with Common since 2022. At 45, the EGOT winner has turned unimaginable tragedy into a legacy of resilience: the seventh-place Idol finisher who became one of the most honored entertainers alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Jennifer Hudson have kids?
Yes. Jennifer Hudson has one child: her son David Daniel Otunga Jr., born August 10, 2009, with her ex-fiancé David Otunga. She has primary custody of David Jr. and keeps him largely out of the spotlight.
Who is the father of Jennifer Hudson's son?
David Otunga, the former WWE wrestler and lawyer, to whom Hudson was engaged from 2008 to 2017. Hudson has primary custody of their son. Otunga is a former WWE wrestler and Harvard-educated lawyer.
How old is Jennifer Hudson's son?
David Daniel Otunga Jr. was born on August 10, 2009, which makes him 17 years old. She was born on September 12, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois, and turned 45 in September. He was born on August 10, 2009, making Hudson a mother at 27.
Is Jennifer Hudson an EGOT winner?
Yes. In 2022 Jennifer Hudson became the youngest woman and third African-American EGOT winner, holding an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. She completed the EGOT in 2022 with a Daytime Emmy as a producer.
How old is Jennifer Hudson?
Jennifer Hudson was born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, which makes her 45 years old. She was born on September 12, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois, and turned 45 in September. She finished seventh on American Idol season 3 in 2004.
What happened to Jennifer Hudson's family?
In October 2008, Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were murdered in Chicago by her sister's estranged husband. She founded the Hudson-King Foundation for families of slain victims. She founded the Hudson-King Foundation for families of slain victims.
Who is Jennifer Hudson dating?
Since 2022, Jennifer Hudson has been in a relationship with rapper and actor Common. They went public in 2024. They went public with the relationship in 2024.
Sources
- Jennifer Hudson - WikipediaBirth September 12, 1981; EGOT 2022; Dreamgirls Oscar; Hollywood Walk of Fame 2013; Time 100 in 2020.
- Biography.comProfile: American Idol season 3, Dreamgirls breakthrough, Grammy-winning music career.
- PeopleCoverage of son David Jr., engagement to David Otunga, and relationship with Common.