image: Zuma Press

She explained: “Everybody told me how much it was going to hurt afterwards but I think I have a different tolerance for pain than others. By the night after I had the baby, I’m like, ‘Look, I can’t sit in this bed anymore. I’ve got to get up!’  I’ve been up and about since he was born. To me, the pain is no different than when you work out a muscle you’ve never worked out before and it’s sore.”

Well, as long as she made sure to take care of herself and not overdo it, I’m glad she had such a positive attitude about the recovery period.

She also talked a little about her little bundle of joy: “He has a lot of personality, like David. He’s always been a good sleeper. His favourite time to smile now is diaper changes. Or when he spits up on you – he just cracks up like he thinks it’s the funniest thing. And his bottle is his pacifier. His best friend is that bottle – that’s all he wants.”

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I’m not completely sure (please correct me if I’m wrong) but I think this is Jennifer’s first performance since the birth of her son, David, almost a month ago.

The party is taking place on the Magnificent Mile (are you surprised?  This is Oprah!) with Jennifer slated to appear alongside illusionist Criss Angel (I really dislike him – anyone else feel the same way?) and the Black Eyed Peas.

*Note*  If you’re in the Chicago area, you might want to avoid North Michigan Avenue since some of it is being shut down and I’m sure the traffic around it will be brutal!

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Ray Mickshaw / FOX

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image: Newscom

The baby, named David Daniel Otunga, Jr., weighed in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces.  Jennifer’s rep confirmed the happy news and said: “The baby is beautiful and perfect.  His parents are ecstatic.”

The baby is the first child for Hudson and her fiancé David Otunga.  Congratulations to the new little family!

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image: Newscom

I noticed that the heavily pregnant Jennifer looked up several times during the performance and I’m sure she could relate to the pain the Jackson family felt since she lost her own family last October.

Watch the moving musical tribute:

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image: Bauer-Griffin

First, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Dreamgirls actress celebrated with a baby shower in downtown Chicago.  The newspaper quotes a “source” as saying that Jennifer is about seven months along.  Wow!  Of course, the rumors have been compounded by the fact that she has postponed dates on her concert tour with Robin Thicke, claiming vocal cord strain.  She has also worn a lot of loose tops and weird clothes at her recent public appearances (that outfit on the Today show even caused me to raise my eyebrows).

People.com quotes Jennifer’s longtime friend, Felicia Fields, as saying the following:  “It was a baby shower, a quiet gathering of friends and mostly family.  They’re really trying to keep it kind of quiet.  It was a nice time that we had.  They don’t know [the gender].”

Honestly, if you knew that your friend was “trying to keep it kind of quiet,” would you confirm rumors to the media?  I know that I would not.  I wouldn’t want to steal someone else’s thunder.

If she is pregnant, I wish her all the best.  She seems like an incredibly strong person and motherhood can be so amazing.  Besides, she probably sings the best lullabies in the world!

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I absolutely love her but can I just take a moment to comment on her outfit?  I’m a fuller-figured woman so I’m not mad at her for carrying a little extra weight but you’ve got to wear clothes that flatter and accentuate your curves.  I think that top and those pants made her look frumpy (in fact, whoever designed the upper leg part of those pants should be banned from fashion forever). 

Anyway, here’s a video of Jennifer singing “Spotlight.”  She did a great job (as usual).

The fan who won the “Sing With Jennifer Hudson” contest also got to sing and they performed “And I Am Telling You” together.  Watch it here:

NBC Photo: Lisa Berg

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Jennifer has been nominated twice for the upcoming 2009 BET Awards which will take place on June 28, 2009 at 8pm ET. 

She has been recognized in the “Best Actress” category for her work in The Secret Life of Bees and has been nominate for “Best Female R&B Artist.”

I’ll confess that I haven’t seen The Secret Life of Bees.  If you’ve seen it, was it a good movie?  Is it worth renting? 

I will definitely be tuning in to the BET Awards this summer and I hope Jennifer takes home at least one of the awards that she’s nominated for. 

image: Bauer-Griffin

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The “Sing in the Spotlight with Jennifer Hudson Contest” is running from
April 29, 2009 – May 11, 2009.  To be eligible you must be a legal, permanent U.S. resident who is eighteen (18) years of age or older as of the start of the contest entry period. 

To enter (and for more complete contest details) visit the Today show’s contest page and follow the online instructions.  From what I read, you will be expected to explain in 500 words or less why you should Sing in the Spotlight with Jennifer Hudson.  You will also be required to submit a video of your vocal performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.”

Make sure you read the contest rules and regulations well and, if you choose to enter, good luck!

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Frank Micelotta / FOX

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There has been no official announcement yet so the news is coming from “sources” close to Jennifer at this point (I hope that’s not true – why would they ruin her big news!).  The father would be Jennifer’s fiancé (and former I Love New York 2 contestant), David Otunga. 

Jennifer is currently on tour until May 8, 2009 with Robin Thicke.  If she is pregnant, touring must be tough.  In those early days expectant mothers are so tired (and sometimes queasy) so I’m sure she will be looking forward to when the shows are over (if she is, in fact, pregnant). 

Hopefully, Jennifer is happy (baby or not) and this can be a year of new beginnings and closure for her.  After her family was murdered last year, she’s shown so much strength and courage.  If she is expecting a little one, I’m sure it will be bittersweet since a baby can be such a joyous addition to life but it would be sad that Jennifer’s mother never got to meet her grandchild. 

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Frank Micelotta / FOX

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Julia was walking the runway in Chicago for a fashion show for full figured women when she spoke about the topic. She sent a message to William Balfour, the suspected murderer of her three deceased family members.

She says, “You did this to basically kill me. In so many words, to take my life, but it was not. And my mother and my brother and my son, they wouldn’t have wanted that.”

“If I was to not be able to function, if I was to not be able to get up, that would mean William and the devil won. They took enough from me. They won’t take nothing else from me. So I have to go on.”

Good for her! It’s so sad what happened. I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of strength it must take for her every day to face life after losing them so unexpectedly.

Image: Newscom

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