(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Jennifer Hudson makes career decisions she knows her late mother and brother would be proud of.
The American singer was left devastated in October 2008 when her mother Darnell Donerson, her brother Jason Hudson and her seven-year-old nephew Julian King were found dead having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Her sisters estranged husband William Balfour has been charged with the murders.
Jennifer is currently promoting her new release Remember Me, which contains a lot of tracks that Jennifer links to her family. Her song Believe makes her think of her childhood as its like a tune her loved ones would sing in church, while Still Here also has personal resonance.
Still Here was originally dedicated to my grandmother. Now it relates to my whole family. It's a way to remember them and keep them in my life, she explained to USA Today.
My mother always said I did well under pressure. [She was] so wise and strong. I can count on one hand how many times I saw her crying. She always said, 'You think you've seen it all? Just keep living.' Thinking about everything I've been through, wow, my mama saw it coming. I hear her in my head every day.
Music is home. It's therapy. So of course I'm going to go back to that. I could hear my brother saying, 'Jenny, knock it off. You got to keep going.' ... I try to do the things I know my mother and brother would be proud of."
Jennifer found fame after appearing on singing competition American Idol, which she didnt win. Although she didnt triumph she was glad just to have taken part and her mother helped her realise she could have a successful career after the show.
She went on to release a best-selling album and to appear in movie Dreamgirls, which netted her the best supporting actress Oscar.
It would be greedy to ask for more. I'm grateful for everything that's happened. I want to be healthy and happy. I want to be around to sing and act for decades. I want longevity, she said.
My mother used to tell me, 'You always seem to find the positive in everything.' No matter what you're going through, you can find a lesson that helps you grow and makes you a better person. (C) Cover Media