Jennifer Hudson’s latest Grammy nomination comes 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 her first entry in the pop album category.
The album was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
Speaking in the press room at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 8, Hudson reflected on the timing of the honor.
“I’m still living the dream, it’s blessed me,” she said. “I’m a holiday fanatic, so to be able 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.”
Describe The gift of love as “a project that was made with heart,” Hudson said the record, released in October 2024, represents his 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 lineup. “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 dream to be able to do this.”
The singer has won two Grammy Awards during her career. In 2009, she won Best R&B Album for her self-titled debut album. Eight years later, she shared the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album with the original cast of Broadway Revival. The color purplein which she played the role of Shug Avery.
Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, was killed in October 2008 along with Hudson’s brother, Jason, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian. The shooter, Hudson’s former brother-in-law William Balfour, is serving a life sentence for the murders.
