(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Jennifer Hudson credits her life to a phone call she received from her fianc David Otunga.

In October 2008 the 30-year-old singer faced tragedy when her nephew Julian King, brother Jason and mother Darnell Donnerson were shot to death in their Chicago home.

On that fateful day Jennifer would have been in the residence with her family members if David did not call on her to visit him elsewhere.

"I remember it like yesterday," Jennifer said in an interview with American news programme Dateline. "And I was literally pickin' up my bags to walk out the door to go to my mother's house. And he called me, like, 'Can you come out here instead of going, you know?' And I was like, 'Okay, sure.' And that one decision, that one thing, I wouldn't be sittin' here."

Jennifer has suffered from another big personal struggle in her life. Being overweight was a serious issue for the singer as a child and young adult.

"I was much heavier growing up," Jennifer explained. "I was wearing, like size 22s or 24s and things like that."

Jennifer, who has slimmed down dramatically by shedding 80lbs in about a year, is eager to share her experience with people going through similar issues.

She has written a book entitled I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down in order to inspire those struggling with weight loss.

"That's just how I look at things. Instead of second-guessing myself or doubting things, or even defeating myself before I even try," she explained. "That's where this came from. You know what -- I Got This. That's why I wrote this book. It's like I wanna be that voice cheering others on you know. And if I got this, you got it too."

Jennifer's new book will be released by Dutton publishers in January.

The singer's full interview will air on Dateline in America this Sunday. (C) Cover Media