What's Next For Jennifer Hudson?
Â Â After Jennifer Hudson sat in the courtroom to listen to 11 days of heart-wrenching testimony, the end finally came when William Balfour was convicted of killing her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. With her attention focused squarely on the legal procedures, practically everything else in the entertainerâ€™s life came to a complete stop.
Â Â However, now that the verdict is in and the trial is over, fans of the world-renowned star want to know whatâ€™s next for her. They want to know how long will it take before she gets back to â€œnormal,â€? knowing that one doesnâ€™t get over such a tragedy, but with time and support, one can get through it. Itâ€™ll be no different for Hudson, who has movie, music and other commitments that will keep her busy. And many agree that the immediate immersion into her work will make her emotional transition a bit easier.
Â Jennifer Hudson has proven to be a woman with few limitations, and her multiple talents continue to reveal herâ€“â€“some observers sayâ€“â€“as â€œa modern-day Renaissance woman.â€? Sheâ€™s a Grammy Award-winning singer. Sheâ€™s an Academy Award-winning actress. Sheâ€™s a best-selling author. And sheâ€™s the national spokesperson for Weight Watchers, which was instrumental in her amazing weight loss.
Â Â Even though she could rest comfortably on her laurels, the singer-actress recently took on a new and entirely different challengeâ€“â€“comedy. In the movieÂ The Three Stooges, which is a tribute to the classic hijinks of Moe, Larry and Curly, Jennifer plays the part of Sister Rosemary, one of the nuns at the orphanage where the toddlers are left on the doorstep. While growing up there, they create havoc and Hudson is in the midst of their continuous misadventures. She and Jane Lynch as Mother Superior and Larry David as Mother Mengele bring their own brand of humor to the Stoogesâ€™ hilarious escapades in the movie thatâ€™s in theaters now.
Â Â â€œWhat I remember most aboutÂ The Three StoogesÂ while growing up was hearing my mom speak of this classic show,â€? Jennifer says. â€œThat was her favorite thing back in the day. She used to always tell me about it. That was one of the things that drew me to the part.â€?
Â Â Unfortunately, Jenniferâ€™s mother wasnâ€™t able witness her performance in that part. But Hudson knows that one of the Stoogesâ€™ biggest fans would have been filled with laughter and would have been proud to see her daughter associated with a classic that has entertained generation after generation after generation. And thanks to Hudsonâ€™s involvement, sheâ€™s helping to bring the Stooges to an entirely new audience.
Â Â Although Jenniferâ€™s comedic debut is continuing to bring her new accolades, perhaps nothing has gained her more attention than her personal transformation, including losing 80 pounds and embracing a healthy lifestyle. It started when she made up her mind to change. First and foremost, she says, changing oneâ€™s behavior is the key to losing weight. Further, itâ€™s critical to eliminate certain habits that will prevent your success.
Â Â What worked for Hudson, she says, was the combination of a healthy diet, regular exercise and the determination not to give up. She chose the Weight Watchers program to help with her journey to becoming healthier and gaining more control of her life. But like everyone else who tries to lose weight there were times when her resolve weakened. Even so, she didnâ€™t quit. She had decided that losing weight would be all about her and her goals, not what others thought the process should be.
Â Â â€œI can remember when I first started, the first time I put on my gym shoes and [decided] to work out. I never would have guessed that me getting up off the couch and saying this is what Iâ€™m going to do for myself would inspire so many people,â€? she said while promoting the book. â€œIâ€™ve been the big girl and now the new me, whatever that is, and I get to tell what itâ€™s like on both sides. And in talking about my struggles, Iâ€™m sure that some will be able to identify with that. One of the main things I wanted to focus on was helping people realize they should do what works for [them], do what you want for you.â€?
Â Â It was during her pregnancy that Hudson came to the realization that some changes had to be made in her life. â€œI was pregnant [when] I realized I wanted to get healthy. I was getting ready to have my baby, and I wanted my body back,â€? she says. â€œI was like, â€˜Wait, why am I wearing the same clothes I wore before I was pregnant? I wanted to set an example for my son. What Iâ€™m most proud of is the fact that I said, â€˜Okay, this is something I want to do, and this is something I want to change.â€™â€?
Â Â Even with the book, the promotional tour associated with its release, the movies and her responsibilities as a spokesperson for Weight Watchers, Jennifer hasnâ€™t neglected her music, the element that launched her to superstardom.
Â Â â€œThis album really captures Jenniferâ€™s amazing signature sound doing material thatâ€™s totally worthy of her, â€œsays Clive Davis, chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment and the albumâ€™s producer. â€œItâ€™s all very special.â€?
Â Â Just like the album, Hudsonâ€™s personal journey has been a special one too, one that will soon add a new chapter when she marries her fiancÃ© David Otunga, a Harvard Law School graduate, World Wrestling Entertainment star and the father of their young son. Sheâ€™s not sharing much information about the upcoming event, only saying that the wedding will be held in Chicago.
Â Â With her commitment to family, career and a new healthy lifestyle, Jennifer is reaping all of the benefits of her dedication and devotion. She has her life under control because she took control. So when she sings â€œI Got This,â€? itâ€™s not just a song, itâ€™s a powerful, personal anthem.