Jennifer Hudson has just gone through a horrifying experience that few of us can even come close to personally relate to. After having to identify the bodies of her mother and brother, who were murdered on Friday, she got the news today that her young nephew is dead as well. All this comes at a time when the Oscar winning actress should be having fun planning her wedding.
But, if there is any thing positive to come from this, it is the support that Jennifer has received from friends and colleagues. Hudson, who appeared on season three of American Idol, is in the thoughts and prayers of judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell. Paula issued a statement which read, “This is a horrific tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her entire family,” then talked about how special Jennifer was to her. Randy Jackson said “I left her a couple heartfelt messages. I said, ‘Anything I can do, I’m here. You’re in my prayers,” while Cowell said, “I was horrified when I heard the news. This is an appalling tragedy. My thoughts right now are with Jennifer, and her family.” Former American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said, “It’s just a huge shock; I think the whole country was shocked. It was one of those things that if you lose mother that’s terribly sad but to lose your mother in that way where she’s murdered is just horrific.”
Fellow American Idol alums are also offering Jennifer support during this hard time. Diana DeGarmo, Jon Peter Lewis, and Camile Velasco, who all appeared on season three with Hudson, expressed shock over the tragedy. All issued statements that said how wonderful a woman Hudson’s mother Darnell was and how up until this point, Hudson had been living her dream. Katharine McPhee, the runner-up in season five, said she was praying for Hudson as well.
Other close friends such as actress Jada Pinkett-Smith, who produced Hudson’s Secret Life of Bees, and Hustle & Flow star Taraji P. Henson offered sympathy, support, and prayers as did musician Josh Groban.
Hopefully, knowing that she is loved by so many can help Hudson get through this difficult time.