Back in 2008, in her hometown of Chicago, Jennifer Hudson faced a devastating loss when her mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew were brutally murdered.
This tragic event was something she rarely spoke about until recently.
Expressing her frustration, the actress shared with Glamour magazine for its November cover, “It's frustrating as hell to me to have somebody who ain't lost nothing try to talk to me about it.
I want to say, ‘Don't even bother, because you know nothing.'
But you never know how much you can get through until you're going through it.”
In 2012, justice was served when Hudson's former brother-in-law, William Balfour, was convicted of the murders of her three family members and received a life sentence.
Amidst the darkness of these crimes, a ray of light emerged for Hudson with the birth of her son, David, in 2009, with her fiancé David Otunga.
Transitioning from being an aunt, having a mother, to losing them and becoming a mother herself, Hudson found solace in her son.
She revealed, “I went from being an aunt, having a mom, and being a child to not having a mom, becoming a mom, and raising my own child.
I tell David all the time, ‘You saved my life.'”
As she gears up for her Broadway debut in “The Color Purple,” Jennifer Hudson is also dedicating herself to a project close to her heart – Spike Lee's upcoming film, “Chiraq,” which tackles the issue of gun violence.
She has already started conversations with her six-year-old son about race and the harsh realities of the world.
In these discussions, Hudson shares insights with her son, highlighting the achievements of prominent black figures while also shedding light on the harsh truths of society.
Reflecting on a tragic incident where a young black boy playing with a toy gun was fatally shot by the police, she imparted a valuable lesson to her son, emphasizing the importance of making wise decisions.
Through her resilience, courage, and determination to educate her son about the world, Jennifer Hudson exemplifies strength in the face of adversity.
Her unwavering spirit serves as an inspiration, showing that even in the darkest moments, there is hope and the possibility of growth.
