Jennifer Hudson denies pregnancy, but rumors fly

How annoying would it be to have the whole world saying you were pregnant if you really weren't? Well, that may or may not be the case for Season 3 "American Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson.

Internet rumors say the Oscar and Grammy winner is with child, but her manager and publicist say, bologna. If the rumors are true, this would be baby No. 1 for JHud and her fiance, David Otunga. The most trustworthy source to jump the JHud pregnancy bandwagon thus far is Essence, which "confirmed" the news through "two sources close to [Hudson]."

If Hudson is, in fact, pregnant, she could be denying it because of the shotgun-wedding association.

Hudson is touring with Robin Thicke, so maybe somebody should put this matter to rest by asking craft services if she's been tossing back pickles and ice cream.

Hudson's hubby-to-be is a Harvard law grad and former contestant on "I Love New York 2." And, yes, that is the first and last time you will ever hear those things in a sentence together.

The pair have set a wedding date, but refuse to dish.

Related:

Believe the rumors: Jennifer Hudson returns to 'American Idol'!
Jennifer Hudson: back with love
'Idol'-less inauguration planned; Jennifer Hudson will not perform

—Stephanie Lysaght

Photo: WireImage

Double check that TiVo: Miley Cyrus, Quentin Tarantino, JHud on 'Idol'

And then there were seven. And then they sang "Songs of the Cinema." Which may or may not encompass every song ever written.

Oddly enough, director Quentin Tarantino -- best known for directing blood-thirsty films like "Pulp Fiction" -- is coming to "American Idol" next week to shepherd our Final 7 through "Idols at the Movies" week.

Tarantino an "Idol" fan? Believe it or not, yes; he has actually appeared on the show before. Who do you think is his favorite Season-8-er? Since sly and sexy Uma Thurman is his muse, maybe Tarantino likes the subtle cool of Matt Giraud.

After Tarantino takes the stage on Tuesday, Jennifer Hudson will appear the following night. The Oscar-winning actress and "Idol"-alum will be joined on Wednesday by -- wait-for-it, wait-for-it -- Miss Miley Cyrus.

Thus, if you are attending the elimination show on Wednesday, be sure to bring earplugs. Tween screams have been known to edge into the whistle range when Cyrus enters a building. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Hudson will perform her new single, “If This Isn’t Love,” and Cyrus will sing a song called "The Climb," from the upcoming “Hannah Montana: The Movie.”

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Photo credit: Wireimage

 

Jennifer Hudson to sing 'If This Isn't Love' on 'American Idol'

   

As we previously reported, uber-Idol Jennifer Hudson returned to the "American Idol" stage last night to record a performance which will be aired later this season. According to E! News, Hudson performed "If This Isn't Love."

With her recent Grammy and Oscar wins, JHud has a lot to be proud of at the moment. But she has a lot to look forward to also. The "Dreamgirls" star departs on tour with Robin Thicke later this month, and she's also planning a wedding to fiance David Otunga. The pair has set a date, but Hudson isn't dishing. "It's a secret," Hudson reportedly told Ryan Seacrest during the taping. "I can't tell anybody."

OK, fine JHud. If that's how you want to play it, I guess I'll just have to wait till my invitation comes in the mail.

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Photo: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

Believe the rumors: Jennifer Hudson returns to 'American Idol'!

Season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson is slated to return to the "American Idol" stage this week, according to the Associated Press. Hudson may not have taken the title of "American Idol" -- she finished seventh -- but that doesn't mean her stint on the mega-hit series didn't serve her well.

After rocketing into the national consciousness on the series, Hudson went on to win both a Grammy for best R&B album for her debut album, "Jennifer Hudson," and an Oscar for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for her portrayal of Effie White in "Dreamgirls."

According to the AP report, Hudson will record her performance after today's live show is over. No word yet on when her performance will air. What song do you think JHud should sing?

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Photo: Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images

Jennifer Hudson: back with love

Season 3 "American Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson will perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fl. on Sunday, but that doesn't mean she's taking it easy this week. In the wake of her well-documented family tragedy, Hudson is returning to her singing career. E! Online has the details of the Dreamgirl's comeback:

Production on the 27-year-old singer's new music video, "If This Isn't Love," quietly kicked off in Los Angeles yesterday. The shoot marked the first step in Hudson's professional comeback in the wake of the deaths of her mother, brother and nephew last October.

The video is set for its official release during the week of Feb. 9, and will follow her appearance at the Grammys Feb. 8—itself coming on the heels of a scheduled Feb. 6 performance at the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year gala in L.A.

The windy city native has a bustling month coming up. With her love song's video release appropriately right around Valentine's Day, it seems like she's making her way back at just the right time.

--Leslie Anne Wiggins

photo: Annamaria DiSanto/RCA Music

'Idol'-less inauguration planned; Jennifer Hudson will not perform

Contrary to rumors circulating last week, Jennifer Hudson will not be performing at the presidential inauguration.  The rumor mill had stirred hopes that the event would bring Hudson back to the stage for the first time since the tragic slayings of her family members.  However, a representative for the Season 3 contender has put an end to the scuttlebutt, telling Access Hollywood: "There is no truth to this."   Idol Nation continues to wait for the return of one of its great heroines. ...

There is however, much truth to the rumor that David Archuleta will be singing at another inaguration: the re-swearing-in of Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.  The Chosen One, who has become a fairly prolific blogger over on his MySpace page, shared his anticipation about the event this morning:

    Today I'll be singing at Utah's Governor Huntsman's inauguration, and even though it's FREEZING... it should be a good time.  I actually sang at the Governor Huntsman's inauguration the first time lol.  But yeah.  It's actually so hard to sing when it's cold!  I tend to lose my voice in cold weather, and I must be cold-blooded because I just don't do well with low temperatures. 

We will be posting video and reports as soon as they become available from the snows of Salt Lake.

-- Richard Rushfield

Photo credit: Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images

Jennifer Hudson, David Archuleta at center of 'Idol' inauguration mania

The NY Post reports  that Idol's lone Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson, who has not performed in public since the horrific slayings of her family members in October, is being sought for a return to the stage by none other than President-elect Barack Obama, or his party planners anyway.  According to the report:

"Organizers want Jennifer to sing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at the Inauguration on Jan. 20," our source said. "They are talking to Jennifer about it. It would be the first time she performed since the murders. She is from Chicago and a huge Obama supporter."

Meanwhile, inauguration fever is sweeping the Idol landscape, but it's second victim is a very different Idol bound for a very different swearing-in. David Archuleta has booked the anthem slot at the festivities for Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. However, according to the Salt Lake City Tribune this is in fact a return engagement for David, who as an unknown barely-teen took on the inaugural duties at Huntsman's first ceremony four years ago.

-- Richard Rushfield

Photo: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press