Jennifer Hudson’s latest Grammy nomination arrived on a day of deep personal significance.
The 44-year-old singer and actress received her ninth career nomination on Friday for The gift of loveher first holiday record and first entry in the pop album category.
The album was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
Speaking in the press room at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Nov. 8, Hudson reflected on the timing of the honor.
“I’m still living a dream, it’s blessed me,” she said. “I’m a holiday fanatic, so to be recognized in this way with the album that is so close to my heart is beyond a dream. And it was also on my late mother’s birthday, which made it even more special.”
Describes The gift of love as “a project that was done with heart,” Hudson said the record, due for release in October 2024, represents her return to the studio after a decade-long hiatus.
At Saturday’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, Hudson also performed as part of the tribute act. “It’s always an honor to be here, to sing and pay tribute to all the greats and legends,” she said. “My life is like a whole dream to be able to do that.”
The singer has won two Grammy Awards during her career. In 2009, she received Best R&B Album for her self-titled debut. Eight years later, she shared a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album with the original Broadway revival cast The color Purplewhere she starred as Shug Avery.
Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, was killed in October 2008, along with Hudson’s brother Jason and her 7-year-old nephew Julian. The gunman, Hudson’s former brother-in-law William Balfour, is serving a life sentence for the murders.
