Optical Illusion: Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson Clears Up Beyonce & Rihanna Comments

Power singer Jennifer Hudson had to defend herself from Rihanna and Beyonce stans over the weekend after comments she made in a recent interview hit the internet. While speaking to The Daily Mirror after a show in London, Jennifer boasted about her lean figure, saying:

“I’ve love my new figure. All the fabulous clothes I can wear and get sent, I joke that I’m like a walking billboard now. But I won’t be taking my clothes off – no way at all. Beyonce and Rihanna can have that. I like to cover up more. I won’t do Playboy. Playboy can call, and wait. That’s just not me.”

After heavy backlash from fans of both singers, Jennifer attempted to clear the air by tweeting:

“I think [y'all] know me better than that. I love both Beyonce [and] Rihanna. I hate when people try to be messy. [Bey] and Ri know me better than that 2.”

I love me some J. Hud as much as the rest of them, but she didn’t deny saying it, which would be the only way that her comments would be “messy”, however I’m sure her original statement was blown out of proportion.

NEW VIDEO | JENNIFER HUDSON "IF THIS ISN'T LOVE"

Jennifer Hudson's video for her second single "If This Isn't Love", from her self-titled Grammy Award winning self-titled, debut album, in stores now.

JENNIFER HUDSON RIPS IT AT SUPERBOWL XLIII

In her first public appearance since the tragic murders of her mother, brother and nephew last October, Jennifer Hudson returned to spotlight and wowed the Super Bowl crowd and viewers with her performance of the national anthem performance.

THE GRAMMY'S JUST GOT GOOD

The Grammy Awards vowed several years ago to try to update the image of the annual music-industry awards buffet. And while the Recording Academy has made great strides in spicing up the show with more contemporary artists and performances, 2009 is shaping up to be the year that the Grammys go IN. It was announced this morning that joining the performance roster for the February 8 show is Katy Perry, Lil' Wayne, Coldplay, and Jennifer Hudson. The icing on the cake however, is a pair of hip-hop performances: one featuring T.I. and Justin Timberlake, and another, featuring the all-star cast of the hit “Swagga Like Us” - Jay-Z, Lil' Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West. Wayne and Rihanna have also been drafted as part of the ad blitz to drum up excitement for the show, the Los Angeles Times reports.

JENNIFER HUDSON COMEBACK CONFIRMED

Jennifer Hudson announced that she plans to return at this years' Superbowl, where she will be singing the National Anthem:

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to the Associated Press on Wednesday that the Oscar winner, is set to deliver “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Tampa, Florida., event on Feb. 1.

JENNIFER HUDSON RETURNS TO WORK

It's back to work for Jennifer Hudson, just six weeks after the her mom, brother, and nephew were brutally murdered in Chicago. Hudson's record label says she'll be working on a new video for her single "If This Isn't Love," as early as next week. -- ironically, the same video she was supposed to film in L.A. when she found out her family had been killed at her childhood home. The song is the follow-up to Hudson’s Grammy-nominated single Spotlight.

Her estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the case.

NEW MUSIC: JENNIFER HUDSON "WHAT'S WRONG" FEAT. T-PAIN

DOWNLOAD/LISTEN: Jennifer Hudson ft. T-Pain- What’s Wrong (Go Away)

SAY IT AIN'T SO...

The ring- Jennifer was sporting this lovely piece at the Tribute to Patti LaBelle...

LORD HAVE MERCY!!!!! It has been confirmed that Jennifer Hudson is engaged to David "Punk" Otunga from VH1 reality series I Love New York 2!

According to People.com, "I can confirm that Jennifer got engaged to her boyfriend David on Friday night in L.A." says the rep.

Apparently, Punk popped the question with a Neil Lane diamond ring on the Dreamgirls 27th birthday. The couple, who have been dating less than a year, both hail from Chicago.

I don't even have words for this. I mean he went on a reality show to date New York. RED FLAG, RED FLAG! Besides, doesn't "Punk" remind you an awful lot of Terry McMillian's gay ex-husband?!!!!! LMFAO!

It's a busy time for J-Hud as well. Her debut self-titled solo album will be in stores Sept. 30, and her new film, The Secret Life of Bees opens on Oct. 17. "

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: 'THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES'

I am so amped to see The Secret Life Of Bees movie which stars a roster of greats like Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, and Sophie Okondeo. After doing a little research about the movie, it made me want to see this film even more! Set in 1964 South Carolina, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and the troubled relationship with her father, she flees with her caregiver and only friend (Hudson), to a small town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Okonedo and Keys), Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping. The film was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and executive- produced by Will Smith.

Be on the lookout when it hits theatres October 17, 2008.

SPOTTED: J. HUD IN NYC

Busy day for Jennifer Hudson. She headed over to BET at the CBS Studios in Midtown Manhattan after performing on Regis & Kelly in the morning, where she was all smiles, as she signed autographs yesterday.

Hudson is currently on a nationwide promo tour for her upcoming self-titled album, in stores and online September 30.

The album features the single Spotlight, as well as collabos with Timbaland, Robin Thicke, The Underdogs, and Tricky Stewart.

EXCLUSIVE: JENNIFER HUDSON'S DEBUT ALBUM COVER

Check out Oscar winning diva/American Idol reject, Jennifer Hudson, official album cover for her self titled debut due out September 30th. I feel like I'm watching one of those Rikki Lake - "Look At Me Now" shows from back in the day, becuase ol' girl is definitely in the building. She looks dope. I'm really loving it. Look at that waist!!! Thanks to the photoshop gods. They put in some work on ol' girl. She looks fabulous nonetheless.

Video: Jennifer Hudson "Spotlight"

Spotlight
by Fresco

Yesterday, during the BET Awards Pre-Show, Jennifer Hudson premiered the video for her new joint, Spotlight (written by Ne-Yo). The video was directed by Chris Robinson. This is the lead single off her self-titled debut album, in stores on September 30th.

Kudos to the stylist... THIS IS THE BEST I'VE EVER SEEN HER LOOK!!!

On the Red Carpet: BET Awards

The stars took to the Red Carpet last night at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Rihanna who was clearly the star of the carpet since their was no Beyonce in sight. She arrived in full summer glory wearingthis beautiful Giambattista Valli confection.