Jennifer Hudson: Relationship, Custody & Father’s 27 Kids

Voted off American Idol in 2004, Jennifer Hudson went on to achieve one of entertainment’s highest honors — EGOT status. Her personal life, from a contentious custody battle to the discovery that her father had 27 children, continues to draw as much attention as her career.

Full Name: Jennifer Kate Hudson ·
Born: September 12, 1981 ·
Occupation: Singer, actress, talk show host ·
Children: 1 son (David Otunga Jr.) ·
Achievements: EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony)

The pattern from this table: a performer who turned early elimination into a sweep of entertainment’s highest honors.

Who is Jennifer Hudson in a relationship with now?

Since 2022, Hudson has been in a relationship with rapper and actor Common (born Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr.). The couple keeps their personal life relatively private, but both have spoken publicly about their bond.

Jennifer Hudson and Common’s relationship timeline

• The pair were first linked publicly in 2022 after years of friendship. (USA Today)
• In a 2023 interview, Common described their connection as built on mutual respect and support for each other’s careers. (USA Today)
• Hudson confirmed the relationship in June 2024 during an appearance on the podcast Your Mama’s Kitchen, where she also revealed the news about her father’s 27 children. (People)

How they make it work

Both are high-profile artists with demanding schedules — Hudson hosts a daily syndicated talk show while Common tours and acts. Friends close to the couple say they prioritize communication and carve out time together, even during busy periods. The pattern: two performers who understand the demands of the spotlight and choose to navigate them together rather than apart.

The implication: this relationship is not casual — it’s a partnership between equals who understand the cost of fame.

Who got custody of Jennifer Hudson’s son?

The answer depends on which part of the legal timeline you look at — because this story took several turns before reaching a resolution.

Custody battle between Hudson and David Otunga

• Hudson ended her engagement to David Otunga, a lawyer and former wrestler, in 2017. They share one son, David Daniel Otunga Jr., born in 2008. (USA Today)
• The custody dispute began around 2020 and escalated over several years.
• In 2023, a court awarded primary custody of their son to David Otunga, with Hudson retaining visitation rights. (EBONY)

Court order grants primary custody to David Otunga

According to reports from The Marks Law Firm, the arrangement was described as temporary or “for the present time.” The decision came after a prolonged legal fight that included disputes over financial support and living arrangements. What this means: the ruling is not necessarily permanent — custody arrangements in family court can be revisited as circumstances change.

The catch: what’s true today may shift as legal filings proceed.

Did Jennifer Hudson have to pay David Otunga?

This financial dispute remains an open question — and one that’s still playing out in court.

Financial disputes after custody decision

• After the custody ruling, Otunga reportedly requested that Hudson pay for his housing and legal fees. (The Marks Law Firm)
• Hudson reportedly refused, leading to further court proceedings.
• No final ruling on the payment dispute has been publicly confirmed. (EBONY)

What did Eddie Murphy say about Jennifer Hudson?

Eddie Murphy, who co-starred with Hudson in the 2006 film Dreamgirls, has been a vocal supporter of her talent.

Eddie Murphy’s praise for Hudson’s talent

• In interviews, Murphy has called Hudson a “phenomenal singer” and “the real deal.” (USA Today)
• He has shared behind-the-scenes stories of her audition for Dreamgirls, noting that her performance stunned everyone in the room. (USA Today)

Whose funeral did Eddie Murphy pay for?

Separately, Murphy revealed in a public interview that he paid for musician Rick James’ funeral and purchased a tombstone. The story, shared by Murphy on The Howard Stern Show, highlighted Murphy’s generosity off-screen — though it has little to do with Hudson, it’s often circulated alongside discussions of Murphy’s involvement in Dreamgirls.

What celebrity has 27 kids?

The answer is closer to Jennifer Hudson than you might expect: it’s her own father, James Hudson Sr.

Jennifer Hudson’s father James Hudson Sr.

• Jennifer Hudson’s late father, James Hudson Sr., fathered 27 children with multiple women. (Newsweek)
• Hudson is one of the younger children among the 27. (People)
• She has met only six or seven of her half-siblings, along with the siblings she grew up with, Jason and Julia. (People)
• The revelation came during an appearance on the podcast Your Mama’s Kitchen in June 2024. (YouTube)

Jennifer Hudson’s career milestones: From American Idol to EGOT

To understand Hudson’s present, it helps to trace the trajectory — one that defied the odds from the very beginning.

2004: American Idol

• Hudson auditioned for Season 3 of American Idol and finished in 7th place. (Newsweek)
• Her elimination was considered one of the show’s most surprising moments.

2006–2007: Dreamgirls and Oscar win

• Hudson landed the role of Effie White in the film adaptation of Dreamgirls.
• In 2007, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the role. (Newsweek)

2008: Personal tragedy

• Hudson gave birth to her son David Jr. in August 2008.
• In October 2008, her mother Darnell Donerson and brother Jason were murdered in Chicago. (People)

2022: EGOT achievement

• Hudson achieved EGOT status — winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony — when she won a Tony Award as a producer of the musical A Strange Loop. (USA Today)
• The same year, she launched The Jennifer Hudson Show, a nationally syndicated daytime talk show.

“She walked into the audition and sang — and the whole room just stopped. She’s the real deal.”

— Eddie Murphy on Jennifer Hudson’s Dreamgirls audition, as reported by USA Today

Timeline: Key events in Jennifer Hudson’s life

What remains unclear

While many facts about Hudson’s life are well-documented, several key questions lack definitive answers.

“My father had 27 children. I am the youngest of them all. I’ve met six or seven of them, plus the siblings I grew up with — Jason and Julia.”

— Jennifer Hudson on the podcast Your Mama’s Kitchen, June 2024, as reported by People

Fans som följer Jennifer Hudsons personliga prövningar och karriär finner ofta att hennes resa från American Idol till EGOT-status varvas med djupa familjedraman och rättsliga strider om vårdnad.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Michelle Williams: Heath Ledger, Kids, and Her Own Words
• Nikki Bella: Breakup with John Cena, Divorce, Custody, Net Worth

For Hudson, the path has been anything but straightforward. Voted off American Idol at 22, she went on to become one of the few performers ever to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Her personal life — from her father’s staggering number of children to a custody battle that made headlines — reminds us that the same woman who can silence a room with a song is still navigating family dynamics that would test anyone. The implication for those following celebrity news: Hudson’s story is far from finished, and the next act is already being written.