Jennifer Hudson returned to the spotlight tonight (Feb. 1) with a
flawless performance of the national anthem before the Super Bowl
in Tampa, Fla. Wearing a flowing white top with black pants and a
cropped black jacket, the 27-year-old singer/actress took a deep
breath before launching into the anthem.
Hudson used the Super Bowl's massive television audience for her
first public appearance since the October slayings in Chicago of
her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew. Her estranged
brother-in-law has been charged in the killings. She has yet
to speak publicly about the incident.
Hudson, who clocked in at 2 minutes, 13 seconds, looked relieved
when she was through.
(For Billboard.com's Super Bowl microsite,
including a game live blog,
click here.)
Singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl is considered a
prestigious invitation, with all artists trying to match or better
Whitney Houston's 1991 version, performed in Tampa during the first
Iraq war.
But Hudson's performance was more personal than patriotic. Faith
Hill, who sang "America the Beautiful" moments before Hudson's
anthem, praised the former American Idol contestant for choosing
the Super Bowl as her return.
"She is a strong girl, a girl of faith," Hill said during an NFL
news conference earlier this week to introduce the entertainment.
"I believe to come and perform the national anthem, which is this
country's favorite song, at a time that our country is stepping up
and moving forward for future generations. I think it's just the
perfect choice."
Hudson's now expected to resume her active work schedule. The
singer/actress, who won an Oscar for best supporting actress for
her role in "Dreamgirls," is scheduled to perform at next week's
Grammy Awards. And her new video for "If This Isn't Love" is set to
debut the week of Feb. 9.
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