In August we learned that Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson gave birth to her first child borne of her union with fiancée and former VH1 reality TV star David Otunga (known as Punk on the show I Love New York) … and today we get our first look at the little dude. Here is a beautiful photo of mama J. Hud and her son David Daniel in the pages of the new issue of People magazine:

Motherhood definitely seems to agree with Jennifer Hudson, who gave birth to her first child, David – named after her fiancé, David Otunga – on Aug. 10. “I love being nurturing and caring because I love to see other people happy,” says Hudson. “Who better to devote my time to than my own child?” From singing lullabies (”He can be crying at the top of his lungs and just turn off like a switch”) to frequent bottle-feedings (”I’ve never seen a baby eat like he does!”), the singer (who chose not to address the tragic loss of her family members last October) offers PEOPLE an intimate look into her new life as a mom.

Would you be supportive if he wants to pursue a career in entertainment?
“We’ll definitely encourage education. His father is an education fanatic so we definitely want him to get an education and go to school. My mom always said, ‘Whatever you want to do, I’ll support you as long as you’re happy.’ So I will do the same.”

He is so precious … mother and son look so adorably cute!! J. Hud did a great job of keeping her pregnancy underwraps, we didn’t know for sure she was pregs until about 2 months before her due date. With all the heartbreaking tragedy that Jennifer endured last year, I’m so happy to know that she and her growing family are doing fine. Little David Daniel is a darling … congrats again, J. Hud!!

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Congratulations are in order for Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Hudson and her ex-reality TV “star” (who competed for love on I Love New York before finding his way to J. Hud) fiancée David Otunga because Marc Malkin from E! News has confirmed that the couple became the proud parents of their first born child last night. David Daniel Otunga, Jr. came into the world at 7lbs., 14oz. — it’s a boy, y’all!

Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson just met her little dream boy. Tragedy took a backseat as the Oscar winner and fiancé David Otunga welcomed David Daniel Otunga Jr. late Monday, E! News confirms. The tot weighed in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces. The 27-year-old former American Idol contestant never officially announced her pregnancy, although speculation began when she wore increasingly loose-fitting tops. In early June, her longtime friend Felicia Fields admitted to having attended Hudson’s gender-neutral baby shower in their hometown of Chicago. Hudson and Otunga decided to wait to find out the tyke’s sex until his birthday.

‘Tis true, there was no official confirmation about her pregnancy until word of a baby shower back in June made its way to the Internets. J. Hud suffered far too much tragedy already last year with the tragic loss of her mother, brother and nephew so I hope this birth brings her all the joy and happiness in the world. I wish the Hudson-Otunga family a long lifetime of bliss together … much, much love and congrats!!!

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Yesterday morning, here in Los Angeles, CA, thousands of family, friends and fans of Michael Jackson paid tribute and homage to the late King of Pop in a respectful, somber yet mostly celebratory memorial service at the Staples Center in downtown LA (which you may have watched online HERE). David and I were at yesterday’s memorial service and I will share my personal experience from the event a little later on today … but I will say that it was a very beautiful, very fitting tribute to Michael Jackson. Family and friends eulogized him with words and songs as his shining casket, reportedly with his body inside, stood at the front of the venue for those in attendance to pay their respects. Here are a few photos and some info about the event itself:

His was a tumultuous life and a chaotic death, but Michael Jackson’s funeral and memorial Tuesday were orderly and celebratory, moving and bittersweet, as family, friends and fans around the world joined in lamenting the loss of the King of Pop. It was one of the most-watched celebrity sendoffs in history, telecast across multiple channels and streamed across the Internet. But the predicted traffic and crowd-control nightmares did not materialize. Thousands of police officers helped keep the ticketless crowd to a minimum — about 1,000 people vs. the 250,000 feared — and the motorcade with Jackson’s hearse encountered few problems traveling blocked-off freeways to downtown. The goodbye to Jackson started early with a private service for family and close friends at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills. (A crash was heard as drivers slowed to watch the procession leave the cemetery). A star-crowded memorial program followed, at the downtown Staples Center, that was spiritual, smoothly entertaining and jubilantly roof-raising as Jackson was hailed as a superstar and humanitarian. “The King of Pop has gone to meet the King of Kings,” intoned the Rev. Lucious Smith, pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena. It was a day filled with touching moments, perhaps the most poignant when Jackson’s daughter, Paris, 11, took the microphone. “I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much,” she said, breaking into tears. That followed two hours of farewell tributes from musicians, athletes and friends of Michael Joseph Jackson, who died suddenly June 25 at age 50. The crowd of 20,000 was alternately reverent and boisterous. They watched in solemn silence as the likes of Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey sang sweetly, and older brother Jermaine crooned Smile, the theme from Charlie Chaplin’s classic film Modern Times. Usher sang Jackson’s sadly prescient Gone Too Soon as he caressed the golden casket spotlighted in front of the stage and draped in flowers. But when Kobe Bryant walked in, many jumped to their feet and started cheering and taking pictures; some reached over for high-fives. They cheered loud approval for the Rev. Al Sharpton’s fiery eulogy and laughed at a story Magic Johnson told about fried chicken. And they snapped photos with phones and rained shout-outs of “I love you, Michael!” during lulls … Other celebrities in the crowd: Cicely Tyson; P. Diddy; Rick, Kathy and Nicky Hilton; Lil Kim; Chris Brown; and Tatum O’Neal. Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela sent messages. Also absent: Jackson’s longtime pal Elizabeth Taylor, who said in a Twitter post she couldn’t bear to be part of the public hoopla, and Debbie Rowe, Jackson’s ex-wife and mother of Jackson’s two oldest children. Outside the Staples Center, the mood was festive. Vendors hawked T-shirts, buttons, photos and other memorabilia … As the memorial service ended, Jackson’s three children and eight siblings — his brothers were all wearing one beaded white glove in his honor — gathered onstage to say thanks. “We will never understand what he endured … being judged, ridiculed,” said brother Marlon, choking up. “Maybe, now, Michael, they will leave you alone.” The Rev. Smith closed by noting: “All around us are people of different cultures, different religions, different nationalities. And yet the music of Michael Jackson brings us together.” After the memorial, the family went to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for a private reception. It was unclear whether Jackson’s casket would be returned to Forest Lawn for burial or taken to another final resting place.

I have to tell you that I was touched by the service more than I thought I would be. As I’ve tried to make clear, I’m not the biggest Michael Jackson fan in the world (there are plenty of uberfans all around the globe who are more fitting of that title than I) but I really wanted to pay respects to such an icon of pop culture. I didn’t count in being as affected by the memorial service as I was. Mariah Carey’s performance brought the first tears to my eyes … Brooke Shields’s eulogy brought them back. When Paris Michael Katherine, MJ’s 11 year old only daughter, spoke at the end of the service I absolutely burst out crying. There wasn’t a dry eye anywhere in our vicinity. Paris’s comments were so heartfelt, so honest … so raw. I’m sure it was difficult for most to keep from crying as she declared her love for her daddy. She said, “I just want to say… ever since I was born…. daddy has been the best father you can imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much.” In case you missed it, you can watch Paris’s short speech after the jump …

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Congratulations are in order for Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson and her fiancée David Otunga who are preparing for the birth of their first child! Over the weekend, J. Hud was thrown a baby shower in her hometown Chicago, IL which kind of spilled the beans on her news. As you may recall, Jennifer suffered the tragic loss of her mother, brother and nephew late last year when they were murdered in their home … hopefully this new beginning for her will continue to help her heal from that tragic loss. Here is a pic of J. Hud performing in NYC recently and the deets on her weekend baby shower:

A weekend baby shower in downtown Chicago confirmed what has long been rumored: Jennifer Hudson is pregnant. “It was a baby shower, a quiet gathering of friends and mostly family,” singer/actress Felicia Fields, a longtime Hudson friend, said of Saturday’s get-together in a relative’s home. “They’re really trying to keep it kind of quiet.” South Side native Hudson, the 27-year-old singing star who won the 2006 best supporting actress Oscar for “Dreamgirls,” is engaged to former reality TV star David Otunga, who’s currently pursuing a pro wrestling career. Hudson has said she no longer would live in Chicago after her mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason and nephew Julian King were found murdered in October, with William Balfour, the estranged husband of Jennifer’s sister Julia, charged with the crimes. Hudson recently finished a co-headlining concert tour with singer Robin Thicke, with an April 25 show at the Arie Crown Theatre. Her manager and publicist previously denied that she is pregnant. “It was a nice time that we had,” Fields said of the shower. She didn’t want to get into when the baby is due, but speculation is that Hudson is many months along—an impression bolstered by her appearance of late. As for whether Hudson received blue or pink gifts, Fields said, “They don’t know [the gender]. More yellow.”

I am so thrilled for her! Jennifer is such an amazing talented actress and singer, it is really great to know that she is enjoying some happy personal triumphs as well. I cannot image how difficult it must have been for her to deal with the sad loss of her family members but she has managed to solider thru the darkest time in her life and come out relatively happy on the other side. I wish her nothing but joyous happiness and lifelong bliss with her growing new family. Congrats!!

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

The insane drama over Chris Brown’s arrest and the allegations that he assaulted his girlfriend Rihanna ALMOST overshadowed the 51st Annual Grammy Awards that took place at the Staples Center last night … but fear not, the awards went off without a hitch and, at least in person, provided a very fun night of entertainment. David and I were able to attend the Grammy Awards last night, courtesy of our friends at ABSOLUT Vodka, and we had a pretty phenomenal time at the Staples Center … even tho we were trying to keep apprised of the Chris Brown info as it came out thruout the show, we were able to enjoy the Grammys nonetheless. Here are a few photos from the Grammy Award red carpet arrivals last night:

Everyone was lookin’ their swanky best … Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood looked lovely (tho, I preferred the dress that J. Hud changed into for her onstage performance) and Jesse McCartney looked crazed as he latched on to Paris Hilton’s teet for their odd photo op. Dunno what the kid was trying to accomplish but I hope he bathed afterward.

It turned out that Alison Krauss and Robert Plant were the big winners of the evening … along with Adele who took home the award for Best New Artist (edging out Duffy and the Jonas Brothers — thank God!). After the jump, check out some photos from the Grammy Press room of some of the winners with their trophies and find out who won what at last night’s affair …

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Clive Davis, famed music mogul, was honored at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards Salute To Icons tribute event which was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel last night and managed to bring out some of the biggest names in music to honor and party with him. Surrounded by his peers and his discoveries, Davis was sittin’ pretty as the night unfolded. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals last night:

A stunning-looking and strong-sounding Whitney Houston made a triumphant return to the stage at a pre-Grammy party honoring her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis. “I’ve got it, I’ve got it!” Houston, looking glamorous in a skintight leopard dress, sang early Sunday morning as she belted a line from one of her classic hits, “I’m Every Woman.” But more than a lyric, it summarized to the crowd of A-list superstars and top industry execs that the superstar — whose drug use and erratic behavior had caused a shocking fall from grace just a few years ago — was back in top form … Houston’s mini-concert put an exclamation point on a night that included a rousing performance by Kelly Clarkson, an unlikely but magical duet between Jennifer Hudson and Barry Manilow and a rambling monologue by Kanye West. “I have to bow in the presence of greats right now,” West said as he looked out into the crowd, which at one point included Sir Paul McCartney, Prince, Diddy, Rihanna, the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Quincy Jones, and other luminaries. “I’m just humbled by your greatness, and also Clive,” West told the audience. Davis, the music mogul who founded labels, signed greats ranging from Houston to Bruce Springsteen to Janis Joplin, and resuscitated the careers of veterans like Rod Stewart and Carlos Santana, was honored by the Recording Academy as an industry icon on Saturday, hours before Sunday’s Grammys. For nearly three decades, Davis’ pre-Grammy party and concert had become one of the industry’s most coveted invites; this year, the Recording Academy took the event over and honored Davis instead. But while Davis got an award, he still held court like it was his own party, acting as the evening’s host as he introduced performers like Stewart, the Kings of Leon and Leona Lewis. Diddy got the often staid crowd on their feet with a moving rendition of his tribute to the slain Notorious B.I.G., “I’ll Be Missing You,” with Biggie’s widow, singer Faith Evans, and a gospel choir. Clarkson got one of the evening’s biggest ovations with her performance of her new single, “My Life Would Suck Without You” and the Joplin gem “Piece of My Heart.” But Hudson was perhaps the night’s biggest star — until Houston hit the stage. Starting with the Super Bowl last Sunday, Hudson has been raising her profile after spending months in seclusion following the slayings of her mother, brother and nephew last October. A smiling Houston performed her hit “Spotlight,” which earned her one of her four Grammy nominations, and got a standing ovation from the crowd. But she raised the bar with a pairing with Barry Manilow, injecting one of his signature songs, “Weekend in New England,” with a lacking ingredient — soul. Afterward, the Oscar-winner joined the audience (and friend Fantasia), stood in the front and danced and sang as Houston performed. Houston started off with “I Will Always Love You,” but didn’t hit the high, sustaining notes that made the song such a dramatic, stirring hit. Instead, she kept her voice at medium power, deciding to croon rather than soar. But as she got into hits like “It’s Not Right, But It’s O.K.,” her voice appeared to get stronger — and louder, and while she never replicated the vocal gymnastics of some of her past work, delivered a mesmerizing performance nonetheless. The 45-year-old, one of the best-selling artists of all time and among the greatest singers, hasn’t made an album since 2002. Then she was was sinking due to drug use and a tumultuous personal life — a far cry from the princess image she cultivated since her debut in the 1980s. But the singer is expected to release an album sometime this year, and unlike other reported returns, this comeback seems to be the real deal. “She was on it, she was happy — she’s back,” said Foxx. “Everybody else watch out.”

This Grammy Awards Salute to Icons affair sounded like a night to remember. I cannot even fathom what it must be like to be in presence of so much talent all in one room. The fact that even Kanye West was humbled, well, that should tell you something. After the jump, check out a bunch of photos that range from the performance stage to the interaction in the audience …

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Jennifer Hudson was on hand to perform the US national anthem the Star Spangled Banner in front of 80,000 spectators in Tampa, FL and over a billion others on TV ahead of the the SuperBowl match-up between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals yesterday evening. Altho J. Hud did not sing the song live and only lip synced along with a pre-recorded vocal, she sounded absolutely amazing and, IMHO, is worthy of praise and adoration. Here are a few pics from Jennifer’s performance yesterday:

Singer Jennifer Hudson made a triumphant return to the spotlight last night when she performed the U.S. national anthem at the Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida. It was the 27-year-old’s first appearance since her mother, brother and nephew were murdered in October. Hudson looked composed and confident as she launched into the Star Spangled Banner in front of an 80,000 crowd in the Tampa stadium and a TV audience of more than a billion … Last night at the end of her performance, she anxiously asked the pre-game show producer Rickey Minor: “How did I do?” “I told her ‘Touchdown!’” Minor said after the performance. “This was such an important performance, because it’s the first time everyone has seen Jennifer. But she’s in such a great place, with such great spirits and time can heal her wounds. She’s on fire right now and totally grounded.” Minor, the music director for American Idol, has produced numerous Super Bowl pre-game performances, including Whitney Houston’s 1991 anthem in Tampa that’s considered the benchmark for singers. He added that Hudson’s two cell phones lit up ‘like slot machines’ following her performance, and she received a moving text message from Jamie Foxx, her co-star in Dreamgirls. “His text said ‘Amazing. It brought tears to my eyes,’” Minor said. “She’s just getting so much love.”

The lip syncing ain’t no thang … Whitney Houston did it when she performed at the SuperBowl back in the early 90s and her rendition became a huge hit at the time (due to the US’s involvement in the first Gulf War, patriotism very rampant). In fact, many performances at such high profile events are pre-recorded. I didn’t get to see the game myself (moving and all) but I did make time to watch J. Hud’s performance. After the jump, check out video of her performance of the Star Spangled Banner …

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